Classic Shell: Forum

I had ClassicShell installed and working in Windows 8 Pro but then changed some appearance settings and ClassicShell stopped working. Despite restoring the appearance setting to its former value (100% size vs 125%), I cannot get Classic Shell to work. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program several times, rebooting in between, to no avail. No start button appears and I simply cannot get access the Classic Start Menu Settings. Pressing the Windows key simply takes me to the Start screen. When I try to access Classic Start Menu settings, Windows replies with a message: "Windows cannot access the specified device. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item". Of course, am logged in as an Administrator and would not have been able to install the program otherwise.

I really would like to get things back to the way they were after the initial installation. Help would be greatly appreciated.

From your description, it means even manually opening the settings isn't working. It may be a permissions issue. Follow the steps in this KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2669244 Your AV may be blocking ClassicStartMenu.exe or you may not have the right permissions for the C:\Program Files\Classic Shell directory or its files.

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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 for the reply. I went to the folder and checked permissions and, for whatever reason, I did not have full permissions for it. I changed the permissions to give me full control. Security Settings then showed all boxes ticked, including Special Permissions for Windows Start Menu. However, after making those changes I still cannot access the folder, the same message being generated by Windows. I don't understand how my antivirus program - avast! - can be denying access. It allowed access initially and I haven't made any changes to it. What settings could possibly apply?

It may that initially your antivirus hadn't come across Classic Shell's files or maybe its heuristics scanning is blocking it. Anyways, every AV has a setting to whitelist/ignore specific processes and folder paths. Try adding Classic Shell to Avast's exception settings and see if it can be run.

_________________
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 again for the reply, However, I'm afraid that I don't follow you. I'm not using avast! Firewall. avast! AV only blocks items if it detects what it identifies as a virus, at which time it produces a popup notification. Entries in the Exclusions list aren't scanned for viruses. When I scan the ClassicShell files with avast! AV, no virus detection popups are generated. Frankly, I'm baffled. ClassicShell does work as currently configured - I have a Start button and a list of folders providing access to programs similar to XP. But, I can't edit the Classic Start Menu Settings ti make any changes or fine tune options.

If you have a start button, try right-clicking on it and then select Settings.

Bingo!! That works. Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate the assistance.

I still don't understand why the link doesn't work. But that's not important as I've only encountered this problem with the Classic Shell folder.