Classic Shell: Forum

Friends,

Just passing this along in case anyone else runs into the problem.

Classic Shell was not responding in Win 8.1. Did the repairs, updates, pasted links into the startup tab. Would work for one click and then gone. Appeared like a bug in CS.

Problem was in Iobit Advanced Windows Care.

I've been a long time fan of the Iobit software, as long as you decline all the crap it tries to strangle you with upon installation and stick with the freeware versions.

Their windows cleanup program installs Windows Start Menu 8, which overrides Classic Shell. Unfortunately, this function can't be turned off within the program. You can however go to the Iobit folder into the specific sub folder for Start 8 and delete it. After this, Classic Shell works fine. Small subtlety not by design if you do have the Iobit software installed... If you choose a very small native windows start button, and then choose the classic button in CS, the two buttons will overlap and you can choose the CS or standard interface. Very cool, but don't know who would want to.

Probably not many of you with this crash (having Iobit and Classic Shell both installed), but if so, this will save you hours of grief.

Best to all of you,

John

Well having 2 Start Menu apps installed simultaneously is not a supported scenario.

_________________
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.

Gaurav,

Agree, just like having two antivirus programs battling each other.

Point here is that the Iobit start manager is not announced, but is bundled with the distant software installation/intention of what you were trying to accomplish. You have no idea face value that you have inherited the windows 8 startup hijack. No clue or indication that you have installed something that is causing CS to crash.

Thus submitted for information only, rare instance that someone else may be beating their heads against a brick wall over this.

John

why not make classic shell menu-aware? IE popup warning that an alternative start menu is present (with a checkbox 'prevent future warnings')

It is a lot of work, as I have to install all sorts of programs and figure out how to detect them. Also it can be considered impolite.

The Classic Shell Utility creates a list of installed applications. If I see something suspicious in that list I can recommend to uninstall it.