Classic Shell: Forum

I don't see this in the FAQ but I bet there's a way.

You have two options. During installation, you can choose to not install the Start Menu and install only Classic Explorer. That choice can be made on the following screen. Click the button next to 'Classic Start Menu' and choose to not install it.






Or you can install the Start Menu if you use it occasionally. To disable it, open its settings and go to the General Behavior tab. Uncheck "Start automatically for this user" and click OK.

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Thanks, yes. I'd seen that and tried unchecking. Then after a restart it was gone but Classic Explorer is still active, just what I wanted. I have to suggest, though, that the Settings make it clear that this means only the Start and not the whole Shell. It sounds like making the whole Shell be manual-only. Btw, I may come back to the Start, I like it, just trying out something else.

If you don't install the Classic Start Menu, the settings for it won't be installed either. Classic Shell is the name of the suite that contains the Classic Start Menu, Classic Explorer and Classic IE. When you choose to install any single component, you are still using "Classic Shell".

Why did you not like the Start menu and are trying alternatives? IMO, there isn't any other Start Menu as great as Classic Shell's menu.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Great is a matter of opinion , (even if it is largely held) let him find out for himself
There are things classic shell can't do (like display a windowed version of the start screen, like start8 and displayfusion can) Though overall it is definitely the most customizable by far

I have now returned to the Classic Start. What I was trying out was StartMenuX on my Windows7. It had some capabilities that I liked and can't find (YET) in Classic, such as automatic hierarchical pop-outs of Programs to program sub-menus (where a folder such as Epson or Logitech might have different sub-folders inside for different programs, and the ability to drag a folder into another folder. Many installs don't prompt for putting a link into one's chosen start folder, such as Utilities or Graphics, they default/insist on putting their new start link at the top level of Programs. And so forth. I don't like that, and StartMenuX allows easy fixes. So do other organizer-specific utilities like Winstep Start Menu Organizer. I bet Classic has this somewhere, I just can't find it. I can't even find a Classic "Settings" button. Maybe in the Help. The trouble with StartMenuX is that the hierarchical pop-outs were too quick to close, by the time I'd mouse over to pick something it was gone.

OK, now after looking at the Help, I see the Settings are under a right-click "Properties" on the Start button. Wouldn't "Settings" be the correct word? Anyway, now in Properties/Start Menu/Customize I see much of what I'm looking for. "Display as a Menu" is what I want, yay, although the delay is a little long. This works well for Control Panels, Documents, etc, but to me the most important "Display as a Menu" choice, Programs, is missing."All Programs" only goes one layer deep as a menu. Well, to be fair, so does the Control Panel section, and Documents, only one layer deep. But with them there's not so much need to drill down into a folder. As you can see in the attached image, if "All Programs" displayed as a Menu then the first layer would go beyond Media, for instance, and one could click into one's VLC (or whatever) folder. Am I rare, only a few have their Programs in sub-folders?

Doesn't look like you are using Classic Shell. The Properties are for the Windows 7's own start menu. The settings for Classic Shell are called Settings.

Of course you are right about that, Ivo, thanks. I just did a re-install/change to get the Classic Start back, then rebooted. So many great (show all) Settings! But I still cannot find a Setting to make my All Programs folder full of sub-folders, for instance Media, pop up/out to access the folders inside Media. Is this setting just not available or maybe my old eyes are going blinder? Also, now Classic Shell is showing at the top level of All Programs, and I want it in my "System" folder. When I try to drag-and-drop it into System, other sub-folders pop out and I'm not allowed to move it. This pop-out behavior tells me that your program can and does do pop-outs, just (seemingly) not for my Programs sub-folders when I call for it.

Now since this isn't about the original "disable Classic Start but keep Classic Explorer" do you think we should make it a new thread in Classic Start? Other people might be interested...