Classic Shell: Forum

Classic Shell 3.6.8 and later are compatible with Windows 8.1.


Additionally, Classic Shell 4.0.4 and later detect when you upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and offer to repair the installation automatically.

However, if for some reason, the Start Menu doesn't start automatically after you upgraded in-place to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8, you may need to do a Repair installation of the same version of Classic Shell that you have installed or upgrade the newest version. That should install all the missing bits again for Windows 8.1. This is necessary because during the upgrade, Windows setup resets some portion of the registry required for Classic Shell to start.

To do a Repair installation, download the installer of the Classic Shell version you have installed and choose "Repair".


If you are installing Classic Shell on a clean installation of Windows 8.1, then please download the latest version.


If the Start Menu does not start automatically at startup even after doing a Repair install, then just create a shortcut to C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe in your startup folder. The startup folder can be opened by typing 'shell:startup' into the Start Menu's search box and pressing Enter.

If your Windows 8.1 boots to the Metro UI, go to the Windows 8.1 Settings tab in Start menu Settings and check the option "Skip Metro screen", if it's not already checked.

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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.

Upgraded to 8.1 and then I did the repair of 3.6.8 and managed to get the shell back; however, i still get the error message on 8.1 when i try to open 4.0.2 that "this app can't run on your PC" ... am i missing something? Thanx.

From my own experience, this particular unhelpful error shows up usually in 2 cases: #1 when the program files for an application are corrupted or #2 when running a program with the wrong processor architecture. #2 is ruled out in this case. So try to uninstall Classic Shell completely from Programs and Features Control Panel and reinstall. All your settings will be preserved.

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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.

Please understand, v 3.6.8 of ClassicShell is running fine, no corruption that I can see. It's when i try to open the new version install program that the error occurs, i never get to install it.

Have you tried downloading it again? Maybe the full file didn't get downloaded? Also, SmartScreen may be blocking the installer. Try disabling SmartScreen from the Action Center.

_________________
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.

redownloaded and disabled smart screen. that seems to have done the trick. thanx!

Checked All settings and they are set to Classic Shell as default but that has not corrected the problem. After two days I have wasted enough time.

I've downloaded Classic Shell on windows 8.1. My problem is that after I shut down my laptop and start it again, my Classic Shell button is gone. The file is still on my computer. What to do?

You need to do a Repair installation of the same version of Classic Shell that you have installed. To do that, download the installer of the version you have installed and choose "Repair".

_________________
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.

How do I access Text to speech in windows 8/8.1 if I am using classic shell> Microsoft suggests using the "Windows key" plus "Enter". However, Classic Shell has taken over the Windows key. Any suggestions?

for me windows + enter still works? even with windows button opening the start menu?
alternatively start>all programs>windows ease of access>narrator
or type narrator into search box after hitting windows key...

If I uninstall Classic Shell before installing 8.1 and afterward install V4 will that work okay?

Yes that will also work.

_________________
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.

How to determine which version Classic Shell is on my computer? (Set in early 2013)

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Reason wins...

You can look in the Programs and Features page of the control panel.
Or right-click on the start button, then choose Settings, and look at the title bar of the settings page.

I have a funny here
did in in place upgrade to 8.1 re-installed latest CS 4.02 works great
reboot PC and it hangs on start screen no keyboard entry but mouse works, power button shuts down then 2nd boot keyboard responds and I log in but no C Shell menu.
I go to the CS program run it and works fine until I must reboot.

Almost like Win8.1 does not like other menu and disables it .
any one else have this issue ?

Look at the post at the top of this thread. Look for the big bold text in it. Does that help?