Classic Shell: Forum

Is it advisable for a Windows 8.1 user of Classic Shell 4.2.1 to change to Classic Shell release candidate 4.2.3? Would there be any disadvantages in doing that?

No disadvantage. Classic Shell 4.2.3 runs on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. You can download the installer of the latest version and install it over your existing one. All your settings will be preserved.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

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

GauravK, thanks for your reply. Within the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" idea, is there any advantage for a Windows 8.1 user to change from Classic Shell 4.2.1 to 4.2.3? As just an example, with 4.2.1 the Windows taskbar loses its opacity every once in a while, sometimes requiring a reboot to get it working again. Has that feature been changed in 4.2.3?

There are always bugs being fixed in any new release of Classic Shell so yes that is one advantage.

The taskbar in Windows 8.1 is transparent by default and Classic Shell has a setting to make it opaque (which I presume you have enabled) but it works only as long as the Start Menu is running. If the Start menu exits or if for some reason, Explorer.exe crashes, the taskbar will become transparent *momentarily* but as soon as Classic Start menu automatically loads again for Explorer.exe, it should turn opaque. If it remains transparent, you must manually launch Classic Start Menu from C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe. There should be no need to reboot Windows.

The following new features have been added for Windows 8.1 after Classic Shell 4.2.1:

- The Metro skin can have transparency if you are using the classic style of the menu
- New setting to align the custom start button to the corner instead of the vertical middle of the taskbar
- New command to access the PC settings directly
- The Start Menu has the ability now to move itself, for example, when the Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 touch keyboard pops up in the docked state or when the resolution changes (like when you exit a fullscreen game with the Win key)
- You can right-click on a newly installed/highlighted program and select "Remove highlight"

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

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

GauravK, thanks for your very helpful reply.

I currently run Classic Shell 4.2.1 on Windows 7, and have no intention of upgrading to Windows 10 in the foreseeable future. Given this, would installing Classic Shell 4.2.4 provide any additional useful features?

_________________
Kind Regards,
Retired Engineer

See the change log for yourself to decide: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4803 Bugs are always fixed and couple of features added to Classic Shell on older versions of Windows too even if the focus is on better compatibility with newer releases of Windows.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

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