Open-Shell configuration for classic menus in Windows 11

If you are overwhelmed by Windows 11's new Start menu centered, with menu recommendations And if you're not entirely convinced by the modern look, know that you're not alone. Many users miss the classic style of Windows XP, Windows 7, or even Windows 10—more compact, straightforward, and without so much embellishment.

The good news is that you can restore a classic Start menu In Windows 11 (and even in Windows 10 if it's broken or disabled) thanks to tools like OpenShell and other similar programs. And furthermore, there are Tricks through registration and several extra options to adjust the position, the start button and even the appearance of the taskbar.

What is OpenShell and what can it do for your Start Menu?

Open-Shell is the evolution of Classic Shell, an open source project Aimed at bringing back Windows' classic Start Menu, it allows you to replace the default Windows 11 menu (and also Windows 10, 8.1, and 7) with polished, classic versions full of options.

With this tool you can choose between three main menu styles: one classic single-column, one classic two-column, and a clone of the Windows 7 menu. Each of them can be fully customized with skins, small or large icons, transparency, font type, and much more.

In addition to changing the menu, Open-Shell lets you replace the home button by classic icons (like Windows 7 or Vista's Aero) or by a custom imageYou can even adjust the button's size, alignment, and how it integrates with the taskbar.

Another interesting point is that OpenShell includes optional components such as Classic Explorer and Classic IEThese tools tweak File Explorer and the old Internet Explorer to give them a more classic feel and offer additional shortcuts. They aren't essential to the menu, but they're there if you want a more "retro" experience throughout the system. If you want to go even further with Explorer, see how to revert to the original. previous File Explorer menu.

Download and install Open-Shell step by step

To start using Open-Shell in Windows 11, the first thing to do is Download it from its official repository on GitHub. It's important not to download the installer from third-party websites to avoid modified installers or outdated versions.

Access the project page at github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-MenuAt the top you'll see the releases section; there's usually a button for Downloads or a list of versions where you'll find the latest stable or beta build.

In the latest version, scroll down to the section AssetsThere you will see several files, but the one you are interested in is the installer with a name similar to OpenShellSetup.exeClick on that file to download it to your computer.

Once you have the executable file on your computer, open it with a double-click. It will launch. installation wizardwhich is quite simple: you just have to keep clicking on NextAccept the license, choose the installation path, and finally click on install so that it copies all the necessary files.

In one of the intermediate steps of the installer you will see a list of components: Classic Explorer, Open-Shell Menu, Classic IE and Open-Shell UpdateIf you only want to change the Start menu, it's recommended to leave only Open-Shell Menu checked and uncheck the rest. If you prefer to try all the features, you can leave everything checked without any problem.

First settings: Classic menu styles available

After completing the installation, look for the tool Open-Shell Menu SettingsYou can find it in the folder where you installed it or simply type "Open-Shell" in the search box of the Windows 11 Start menu.

When you open the settings, by default you will see the tab Start Menu StyleThis is where you choose the type of menu that will replace the modern Windows Start menu. You'll see three clearly differentiated options, each with a preview.

The first one is classic single-column styleIt's very similar to the one found in Windows 2000 and Windows XP in their simplest mode. It offers a compact column with programs and shortcuts, free of unnecessary visual elements.

The second option is the classic with two columnsIt maintains the layout of the previous version but adds an extra column for fixed access points such as Documents, Computer, Control Panel, etc. It's ideal if you want to have everything at hand without having to navigate through submenus.

Finally, you have the Windows 7 styleIt almost perfectly mimics the Start menu of that version: integrated search box, list of frequently used programs, folder shortcuts, and shutdown options at the bottom. It's a favorite among many users because it combines classic aesthetics with modern functionality.

Select the style that suits you best and click on OK Or apply the changes so that Windows 11 starts using that menu as soon as you press the Start button or the Windows key on your keyboard.

Customize the menu's appearance: skins, icons, and visual options

Once the basic style has been chosen, the fun begins: adjust appearance from the menu so it looks exactly the way you want. Within the same settings window, you'll find the section Select Skin or “Select skin”, which opens the tab of Skin.

In this tab you can choose from several "skins" that radically change the menu's appearance. Among the most common are: Classic Skin, Metallic, Metro, Midnight, Windows 8 and Windows Aeroeach with its own style of borders, colors and effects.

In addition to the skin, Open-Shell allows you to activate options such as Show small icons To make everything more compact, use a larger source If you have trouble reading the text, or select the mode Opaque to eliminate transparency and gain contrast.

These options vary slightly depending on the menu style you selected earlier. For example, in the Windows 7 style, you'll have more controls related to the transparency and brightness, whereas the classic one-column layout focuses on simplicity and the size of the elements.

After modifying the skin and visual options, you can return to the tab Start Menu Style to see a sneak peek of how it will all look. If you like it, click on OKIf not, change your skin and try again until you find the look that suits you best.

Replace the Home button and adjust its alignment

One of the most striking features of Open-Shell is the possibility of change the home button iconIf you don't like the new flat Windows 11 logo, you can revert to the Windows 7 icon, Vista's Aero style, or even a button you create yourself from an image.

To do this, open the Open-Shell settings again and go to the tab Start Button (or equivalent). There you will see options to use the system's default button or to select a custom image.

Click on Pick Image or “Choose image” and select the file you want to use as your icon. There are plenty of them on forums like the Classic Shell forum. replacement buttons already prepared in different styles, sizes and colors, specially designed to integrate with Windows 11.

If, after applying the changes, you notice that the button appears off-center, cropped, or misaligned, return to the settings and go to Advanced button optionsFrom there you can adjust the size, position, and vertical or horizontal alignment until the result fits perfectly with the taskbar.

Remember that in Windows 11 it's key Move the taskbar icons to the left so that the Open-Shell button overlaps the original Start button. Otherwise, you'll still have a centered Start button that doesn't match the classic look you're trying to achieve.

Place the Start menu on the left in Windows 11

Windows 11 pre-installed It displays the home button in the center. on the taskbar, alongside the other pinned icons. Microsoft justifies this change by saying that most screens today are widescreen (16:9 format) and placing the Start menu in the center reduces eye movement.

Although the explanation makes some sense, many users are used to having the start in the lower left cornerespecially on large screens or multi-monitor setups. If you want OpenShell and the system to be aligned, the best solution is to move the icons back to that area.

To do this from Windows 11, go to Settings > Personalization > TaskbarInside, look for the Taskbar alignment option and select "Left" instead of "Center". This will move the native Start button to the left, where Open-Shell can be placed above it.

Once you change the alignment, the The Open-Shell button will visually replace to the Windows 11 button. You will still have access to the classic menu whenever you click in that area, and the modern menu will be "hidden" behind the Open-Shell interface.

If in the future you wanted to return to the modern style, it would be enough to Disable or uninstall Open-Shell and restore, if you wish, the centered alignment of the taskbar from the same settings section.

Restore the classic menu using the Windows registry

Beyond Open-Shell, there is a somewhat more technical method for activate a classic style menu by modifying the Windows registry. This approach was widely used in early builds of Windows 11 to "force" something more like the Windows 10 Start Menu; if you're interested, here's a guide on how to do it. modifying the registry.

To try it, press Windows + R, writes regedit and confirm. The Windows Registry Editor will open, a powerful tool that must be used with extreme caution, as any incorrect changes can cause strange system behavior.

Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AdvancedIn the right-hand panel, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it Start_ShowClassicMode (respecting uppercase and lowercase letters).

Next, double-click on that new value and change the data to 1This indicates that you want to display classic mode. Save the changes, close the registry editor, and restart the computer so that Windows can apply the new settings.

This method is not as flexible or powerful as OpenShell, but it can be useful in certain scenarios for to recapture a less modern beginning without installing additional software. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft changes things with each update, and this trick doesn't always guarantee it will work the same way. There.

Other programs to restore classic menus in Windows 11

Although OpenShell is the most popular free option, there are other tools designed for mimic the menus of Windows 7 or Windows 10 in Windows 11, and in some cases they add even more aesthetic options for the taskbar and the explorer.

One of the best known is StartAllBackIt's a paid app (with a 30-day trial) that focuses on restoring a classic interface to the Start menu, taskbar, and other system elements. It allows you to choose between Windows 10-style themes or a refined style based on Windows 7.

When you install StartAllBack, a settings panel appears from which you can activate a classic theme and instantly see how the taskbar and Start menu change. From the "Start Menu" section, you can fine-tune the icon size, the number of rows, how programs are ordered, and even make the "All Programs" list unfold like an XP-style menu.

Another fairly popular solution is Start11Developed by Stardock, a well-known company in the world of Windows customization, this tool is also paid, although it offers a trial period, and allows emulate startup styles Windows 7, Windows 10, a customized modern version, or maintain the aesthetics of Windows 11 but with more control.

From its interface you can choose the menu style, align the taskbar to the left or keep it centered, change the start button logo among numerous designs, and even modify the transparency, blur, color and even apply custom textures to the taskbar.

Finally, you have Start Menu X, an app that offers a menu very similar to that of Windows 10 and includes a very curious function: by pressing Shift + Win It lets you quickly switch between the modified menu and the native Windows Start menu. It's ideal if you want to compare live whether the new Start menu is really that bad or if you eventually get used to it.

Start Menu X includes a multitude of options for add themes, change the button icon, incorporate shortcuts to shut down, suspend or restart, and simply restore the Windows 10 menu without touching anything else if you don't feel like tinkering too much.

Are apps like Open-Shell, StartAllBack, or Start11 safe?

It is logical that, since it is a matter of third-party applications that modify the interface If you have any security concerns about the system, the key is to always use official sourcesUpdated versions and avoid any "cracked" or pirated variants.

In the specific case of OpenShell, it is a open source project where the source code is publicly available. This allows the community to review and audit what the program does, greatly reducing the likelihood that it includes malicious elements.

StartAllBack and Start11, meanwhile, are commercial products developed by recognized companiesSome of these companies have a good relationship with Microsoft and a long history within the Windows ecosystem. They frequently update their software to fix bugs and strengthen security.

Start Menu X also includes many years in the market and maintains a good reputation among users, as long as you download it from its official site. Most problems with malware They come from modified executables that are shared on unreliable download portals.

As an extra measure, you can always upload any installer you download to VirusTotal To check it with dozens of antivirus engines simultaneously. Ideally, the file should have a zero or near-zero detection rate before running it.

Some specialized media outlets also follow a strict validation protocol: verify that the link points to the official website, analyze the executable on services like VirusTotal and, when in doubt, install the program in a virtual machine to see if it behaves stably and without suspicious behavior.

Functional risks and precautions before modifying the Start menu

Even if the applications are clean in terms of malware, it should not be forgotten that They touch sensitive parts of the systemTo achieve that classic, seamlessly integrated look, many of them modify or hook into internal components of the Windows interface.

In certain configurations, this can cause visual errorsUnexpected browser crashes, taskbar issues, or unusual behavior after certain system updates. It's not common, but it can happen.

That's why it's highly recommended to create a system restore point Before installing these types of programs, you should check the status. This way, if something goes wrong or the system starts having problems, you can always revert to the previous state without wasting time reinstalling everything.

Likewise, it never hurts to do a backup of the most important data on another drive, in the cloud, or on a NAS. It's not that these apps They're going to delete your files, but if some incompatibility causes Windows not to Boot Properly, you'll be glad to have your documents safe.

Also, keep in mind that many of these tools They modify the Windows registry and other internal components that may also be affected by other customizations you already have. Combining several tweaks can lead to unexpected conflicts.

If you frequently install Windows 11 beta builds or make deep registry tweaks, consider testing these apps first in controlled environments such as Virtual machines before taking them to your main work or study team.