Classic Shell: Forum

I just installed the classic shell update on windows 8.1 after which Acronis True image 2014 installed its update. Now the windows icon is there instead of classic shell and there appears to be no way to restore it. I have clicked the exe fpund in Program Files and nothing happens. It will display its settings etc but not the shell so I'm stuck with the horrible windows 8.1 icon!

What does clicking the Windows icon open? Does it open a Start Menu or the Start screen?

If you can open the Start menu settings from C:\Program Files\Classic Shell, then go the "Start Menu style" tab and check "Replace Start button". That will replace the Windows 8.1 button with Classic Shell's button. Or you can also keep the Windows button and have it open the Start menu instead of the Start screen. You will need to go to the Controls tab to configure what left click opens etc.

If the Start Menu isn't automatically loading at startup, then create a shortcut to C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe and place it in the %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder.

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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.

From what you are describing, the menu must be working but the button is reset to the default. Just click on the "Replace Start button" setting.

I actually tried all that. As a long time windows guru I hate windows 8 because nothing is where it should be - I never was able to find the start menu! Clicking any of the .exe files produced no results. It was as if Classic Shell was hiding so nothing showed - no errors just nothing. I did solve the problem doing something I should have tried before I posted. Just restarted and there it is! BTW is was not possible to go to the selected tab when that suddenly stopped being visible.

During that install the Classic Shell button actually disappeared twice. The first time I was able to restart it and get to the settings. The second time nothing worked.

Dave