Keep yourself alive

Everybody should know by now that change is life and that keeping that up allows us to have our minds active and our emotions alive. You should also be aware that human nature is under constant variation and that it is also searching for new things all the time, which is why creativity is undoubtedly a big part of everybody's lives.

Reasoning upon the concept above, one must ask oneself: how could I extrapolate that particular kind of change into my day-to-day, into the things I do, and, most importantly, into the things I am looking at every day of my life? Lucky friend, you have come to the right place because we have some answers for you here.

The new Classic

Back in the day, Classic Shell was a software designed by Ivo Beltchev that aimed to allow for the customization of the Windows Start menu so that you can improve the access and visibility of your applications according to your liking in order not to fall into the monotony of life, because, come on, we all are looking at the same dull screens just every day. Isn't it boring?

The tool was around for years before becoming famous after Microsoft's extremely controversial decision to make and popularize specific operative systems without a Start button or menu. From then on, it remained popular even after the Start menu officially returned within ulterior Windows versions.

However, the development of the program sadly ended back in 2017. Still, before that fatal day, the developer implemented a transition for the tool to remain in an open-source software state. In other words, Ivo Beltchev gave the source code to the community for further maintenance and upgraded at will. That is why even with a dead Classic, the project could be kept alive. It just has been renamed, and not just once.

That way, Classic Shell was called Classic Start for a short time, but it was rebranded on July 2018 for the community as NeoClassic-UI. However, to avoid specific copyright issues, it is now being spearheaded under the label of Open Shell Menu, which fits given its announced open-source nature.

Is it still a Classic?

You will be happy to learn that despite all of the changes this tool has been through, there are no significant changes to the software's functionality, as it is still old. Good free software that improves your productivity enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer how you like it.

That being said, the following key features remain alive:

• Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins;
• Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs;
• Find programs, settings, files, and documents;
• File size in Explorer status bar is shown;
• Classic-style Start Menu button for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10;
• Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer;
• Title bar and status bar for Internet Explorer.

Controversies

You might have heard of some people being afraid of programs altering your operative system without you knowing what is happening. Do not panic! What you should know here is that the software is programmed in C++ and that, although it modifies Windows behaviors, it does not do so by tweaking the registry settings or replacing or patching system files, as the modifications are done using APIs. In a nutshell, nothing to worry about here.

Being nostalgic is a choice

In conclusion, if you were already familiar with the original software Classic Shell or with the ulterior versions like Classic Start, NeoClassic-UI, or Open Shell Menu, now you know that they are all the same helpful thing, so download it. If you are not familiar with it yet, you must try it.

The tool is still an excellent utility to install on computers for people who are somewhat resistant to change or prefer the older style menu. It has nothing to do with nostalgia; you might like how it works, the stuff it allows you to do, and how it relates to the user. What are you waiting for? Bring the classics back!