Open Shell, originally known as Classic Shell, is open-source software that allows you to replace the standard Start Menu on Windows 10 and Windows 8.

The open source software ' Open-Shell Menu ' allows you to change the appearance of the Windows start menu to the old style such as Windows 7. Welcome to Open-Shell | Classic Shell Reborn.

When using Classic Shell and CSMenu, you can instantly switch back to the default Windows 7 Start menu by clicking the "Start" button while holding down the "Shift" key.

Our Verdict If you miss the Start menu on Windows 8, try Classic Shell before spending a dime on commercial alternatives. You’ll probably want to stick with it.

Click on the Classic Shell Start button, and you'll have a choice of displaying the menu in a single column, dual columns, or in the classic Windows 7 style.

Windows only: Start menu replacement utility Classic Shell adds back some of the missing features in Windows 7 or Vista that used to exist in XP—like the Classic-style Start Menu.

Classic Shell concentrates on providing a close-to-exact replica of Windows 7, and it’s free (formerly open source, now freeware).

In Windows 8, Classic Shell adds the Start button back to a user's desktop and provides the same classic customizable Start Menu it does in older Windows builds.