Open Shell Alternatives

Open Shell is described as 'Fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start menu to modern versions of Microsoft Windows' and is a very popular System Tweaker in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Open Shell for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, Android Tablet and BSD apps. The best Open Shell alternative is Classic Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Open Shell are Noctalia, StartAllBack, Start11 and 7+ Taskbar Tweaker.

filter to find the best alternatives

Open Shell alternatives are mainly System Tweakers, but if you're looking for Desktop Environments or Shell Extensions you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Open Shell.
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Alternatives list

  1. Taskbar icon
     3 likes

    Puts a start menu and recent apps tray on top of your screen accessible at any time, increasing your productivity and turning your Android tablet or phone into a real multitasking machine.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
  2. SharpEnviro icon
     15 likes

    SharpEnviro (or SharpE) is an open source shell replacement system for Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. When using SharpEnviro the default Windows desktop is replaced by a new and more powerful desktop environment.

    26 SharpEnviro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  3. StartW8 icon
     3 likes

    StartW8 is a FREE but powerful tool for Windows 8 users. Do you prefer desktop to modernUI? Would you like to logon directly to desktop? And than use "Start" menu for runnig your apps? Then it's right for you.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  4. TaskbarXI icon
     Like

    An application written in C++ to modify the Windows 11 Taskbar.

    6 TaskbarXI alternatives

    Cost / License

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  5. ViStart icon
     Like

    A skinnable start menu to replace your existing Windows XP start menu. It also allows you to get the Windows Start Menu back on Windows 7, 8 or 10.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued
    • Warning

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  6. bbLean icon
     10 likes

    bbLean is the lean version of Blackbox for Windows. It tries to keep balance between features and complexity, to give you some efficient means within a compact shell.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. Finalbird icon
     5 likes

    Finalbird is a free program to always reach required folders, files and programs, to work faster and more efficiently.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  8. DMS icon
     1 like

    Desktop shell for wayland compositors built with Quickshell & GO, optimized for niri, hyprland, sway, MangoWC, and labwc.

    31 DMS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wayland
     
  9. GeoShell icon
     3 likes

    GeoShell - The premier minimalist Windows shell replacement. It replaces the default Explorer interface. It features menu bars—“geoBars”—that can be dragged-and-dropped anywhere on the users screen. There are also desktop menus that can be triggered whenever a user clicks...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  10. xoblite icon
     2 likes

    xoblite is an advanced "extended shell" for Microsoft® Windows® 10/11, part of the Blackbox for Windows family.

    16 xoblite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  11. A simple and fast task launcher and switcher. Press a custom assigned mouse/keyboard key, the menu pops up at the place of the mouse cursor, move to the desired task, release the key, and that is all! Can not be quicker or easier!.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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