For new users, who purchased Windows 8.1 OS with their
new Desktop PC or notebook, there are some new features that presented in
Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 interface. For those people, who do not like Metro
interface, we wrote our guide how to return Start button in Windows 8.1 using
Classic Shell freeware. This guide works also for Windows 8 and Windows 7,
Windows Vista OS.
To return Start button, firstly please download Classic Shell Freeware
Windows 8.1 Desktop screen presented here.
By clicking to the bottom left corner, you will see
Windows 8.1 Start Window. Click again – and you will be returned to the Windows
8.1 Desktop
After the Classic Shell freeware setup downloaded, please
open Windows Explorer folder with ClassicShelSetup.exe
In all latest Windows OS versions it is highly
recommended to run installation as administrator, as shown, using right click.
As far as Classic Shell Setup has no digital-signature,
User Account Control reports about “Unknown” publisher, meanwhile we press “Yes”
button to run installation.
Classic Shell Setup Wizard will show Welcome window,
please press “Next” button
Please check “I accept the terms in the License
Agreement” and the press “Next” button
For Classic Shell Setup default settings are appropriate
for most users, so press “Next” button.
When the Classic Shell Setup Wizard is ready to
install, press “Install” button.
When the Classic Shell installation is finished, uncheck
“View Readme file”, then press “Finish” button.
Excellent! Classic Shell is installed and works! So,
move your mouse cursor to the Start button, as shown with a red arrow.
First click to the Start button will open Classic
Shell Basic Settings window. Press “OK” button.
Now, Windows Classic Start Menu is activated. The
default view is presented here.
Please select Programs in Windows Classic Start Menu,
to view their submenus.
For Apps Classic Shell will show them as presented
further.
Documents submenu looks great as usual.
Settings could be found in a regular place, which you
know since Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP times…
Search is the next in Classic Shell Windows Start.
By selecting Shut Down… you will see appropriate
submenu.
Now, we can change Classic Shell mode to other Windows
versions Start Menu. Please right click to the Start button and then select “Settings”
by clicking it.
Now, Classic Shell returns Basic Settings window, so
1. Click “Windows XP” link
2. Press “Yes” button to continue.
3. Press “OK” button to change Classic Shell Basic
Settings.
Now, Classic Shell uses Windows XP Start Menu.
Programs in Windows XP Start menu look regular, if
your started your Windows OS usage experience from Windows XP
These are Apps in Windows XP Start Menu made by
Classic Shell in Windows 8.1
Here it is the Shut Down… menu and their submenu
Now, let’s change to Windows Vista/Windows 7 Start Menu
with Classic Shell Basic Settings.
As we described earlier, press “OK” button to change
to Windows Vista/Windows 7 Start Menu in Windows 8.1
Looks great and comfortable! Here is the default view,
when returns Start button in Windows 8.1
Programs menu listing for Windows Vista/Windows 7
Start Menu mode in Classic Shell is shown here.
Apps could be viewed also. Note, than all icons
Classic Shell uses as adjusted in Windows 8.1
Finally, we could view Shut Down… menu with submenu.
If the Windows 8.1 user right click to the Start
button, he will see Classic Shell menu. By clicking “Exit” Start button will disappear.
There are no active Classic Shell Start Menu
features. Do not worry. Please press left bottom Window icon as shown.
Windows 8.1 Start window will be shown. Please, scroll
down to the next “Apps” listing windows as marked with “Down arrow” button.
Now, move your mouse cursor to the bottom scrollbar,
and scroll it to the right as shown with red arrow.
Here, please click “Classic Start Menu Settings”.
Congratulations! Now we can see again Classic Shell
Basic Settings Window and Start button active.
Note, that Restart of Windows 8.1 OS will execute
Windows Start Menu again, provided by Classic Shell also.
Now, we draw your attention at Skin tab in Classic
Shell Basic Settings. There are some variations of Windows Start Menu with adjustable
columns, icons size, fonts, submenus settings, etc.
In conclusion, when the Classic Shell is switched to
the All Settings mode, there are a lot of adjustable options available to
change to bring the most comfortable usage for Windows 8 OS series.
