Making Windows 10 look like Windows 7.

[KhunHeineken]

As many would know, Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 on the 14th January 2020.

 

Windows 7 has served me well over the years, and even though I am not an IT guru, I have come to learn how to fix minor issues with it, when they have come up.

 

I remember trying Windows 10 a few times on demo laptops in shops and thought the jump was too big to worry about now, and I will deal with it when Windows 7 is retired.  That time is now.

 

I remember when Windows 8 was released, many people were using a program called Classic Shell, which made Windows 8 look like Windows 7.

 

Support ended for Classic Shell, but was picked up by github and renamed Open Shell, and is still supported and being used.

 

Recently, I assisted a friend with his computer.  He's running Windows 10, but was also running a program called Start Is Back.  It also made Windows 10 look like Windows 7.  I was able to navigate straight to where I wanted to go, and was able to easily assist him.  I saw no noticeable reduction in performance, and saw it was a lite weight program.  I was impressed with it.

 

Are any members using Open Shell or Start Is Back?  If so, what are your thoughts?

 

Is one better than the other?

 

Do they effect the security or privacy of the device?

 

Are there any other similar programs out there?

 

I have no problem paying for good software, if the price is reasonable.

 

The links to the above programs are below.

 

http://www.startisback.com/

 

https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

 

Before anyone calls me a dinosaur, Windows 7 does everything I need, quickly and securely, and does everything that friends with Windows 10 devices can do, and this is why I have held off on migrating to Windows 10.

 

Thanks.

 

KH

Edited November 24, 2019 by KhunHeineken

[briley]

Classic start shell works just fine n Windows 10 and very customizable to make it look and feel just as you want - mine looks like Win XP!

 

www.classicshell.net

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Windows 7 was far away better than the atrocious 10. Only thing going for it is it's better than the abominable 8.

Hate using 10, but came with the machine.

I doubt anyone despises MS more than I.

[KhunBENQ]

I hate the childish colored tiles and the huge control setup dialogs.

But too lazy to swim against the flow.

And every customization has to be redone on re-installation which I do at least after 2 years and likely shorter.

Edited November 24, 2019 by KhunBENQ

[KhunHeineken]

2 hours ago, briley said:

Classic start shell works just fine n Windows 10 and very customizable to make it look and feel just as you want - mine looks like Win XP!

 

www.classicshell.net

 

 

Are you sure you are still running Classic Shell, or has it been updated to Open Shell?

 

The below appears on your link.  I know just because active development has ceased, that it still might work, but thought now Windows 10 is in build 1909, which is probably the equivalent of Windows 10 Service Pack 4, or, Windows 14, that it may no longer work.  ????

 

Note: As of December 2017, Classic Shell is no longer in active development.

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Windows 7 was far away better than the atrocious 10. Only thing going for it is it's better than the abominable 8.

Hate using 10, but came with the machine.

I doubt anyone despises MS more than I.

Are you running one of the programs to make Windows 10 look like Windows 7?  If not, perhaps this thread may be of interest to you.

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

I hate the childish colored tiles and the huge control setup dialogs.

But too lazy to swim against the flow.

And every customization has to be redone on re-installation which I do at least after 2 years and likely shorter.

When I first tried Windows 10, those tiles made the OS look like a kids TV game.  It was hard to take seriously back then.

 

I am now researching all the settings that should be changed to protect your privacy, and there are many. 

 

As you say, when you give your machine a clean out and reinstall, it's a lot of work. 

[Khon Kaen Jeff]

I have a new PC and bought a win10 key from ebay as I don't think it had any software installed...I know I won't like win10 but how do I upload the software onto the PC, I highly doubt I'll be able to do it correctly, take to a shop?

[maxpower]

My only complaints for Windows 10 are the messy update system and need to lock down its extensive telemetry which is my personal choice.

I don't give a rats what the back-end looks like, its the stability of applications running on top that's most important. 

 

My dual screen development PC was on Windows 7 for many years and now Windows 10 with addition of SSD drive. Other than a more modern feel, there is little or no difference in operation or productivity. Power the machine up, launch applications from quick launch or desktop and tab between them.

 

Cortana has a sock in her mouth and the start button gets clicks when a blue moon passes.

 

The future is interactive speak, touch and gathering user data. If privacy is a concern then you must learn to work around it.

[chrisinth]

On 11/24/2019 at 8:12 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Windows 7 has served me well over the years, and even though I am not an IT guru, I have come to learn how to fix minor issues with it, when they have come up.

Programs like Open Shell/Classic Shell/Back to Start only tweak the graphic user interface, they don't make any changes to the 'engine' so to speak.

 

The only thing I can think of to allow you to fix minor issues is a more direct path to the proper Control Panel items rather than Settings.

 

If it is a privacy issue, there are many 3rd party softwares that will sort this out for you if you don't know how to disable them yourself. Also many programs to strip out the bloatware that comes with W10, have a search for Windows10Debloater as an example.

 

I understand that everyone hates change, but sometimes it is a necessary step to get to terms with the evolution of Windows otherwise, by staying in the past using GUI enhancement you will miss the more important changes to the OS.

 

And just to clarify, this is not a dig at you, fully understand that some people like the older interface. Just try not to miss the newer features. 

[briley]

Seems classic shell is not being actively developed, has been taken over by Open Shell, but my version still calls itself Classic Shell and still automatically updates when Windows 10 breaks the system.

 

Using it means there are no blocks etc and you can find the likes of control panel on the start button.

 

You can save all the settings you have applied before re-install of windows 10 then it is easy to keep it the way you want it.

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 11/24/2019 at 4:15 PM, Khon Kaen Jeff said:

I have a new PC and bought a win10 key from ebay as I don't think it had any software installed...I know I won't like win10 but how do I upload the software onto the PC, I highly doubt I'll be able to do it correctly, take to a shop?

After you install Windows 10, one of these programs that make Windows 10 appear like Windows 7 may be of interest to you.  

[KhunHeineken]

On 11/24/2019 at 4:53 PM, maxpower said:

My only complaints for Windows 10 are the messy update system and need to lock down its extensive telemetry which is my personal choice.

I don't give a rats what the back-end looks like, its the stability of applications running on top that's most important. 

 

My dual screen development PC was on Windows 7 for many years and now Windows 10 with addition of SSD drive. Other than a more modern feel, there is little or no difference in operation or productivity. Power the machine up, launch applications from quick launch or desktop and tab between them.

 

Cortana has a sock in her mouth and the start button gets clicks when a blue moon passes.

 

The future is interactive speak, touch and gathering user data. If privacy is a concern then you must learn to work around it.

I am learning about the privacy tweaks that one may wish to do, and there are several, with some being deep in the registry.

 

There are a couple of programs that can take care of it for you.

 

This one looks good, and is free.

 

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

 

This one looks good also, but is not free.

 

https://www.safer-networking.org/products/spybot-anti-beacon/

 

I have read that some Windows 10 updates reinstates the telemetry and changes your selected privacy settings, so you have to run these programs after every update.

 

I can now see why Windows 10 was free.  It's basically Spyware. 

[CGW]

On 11/24/2019 at 8:12 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Before anyone calls me a dinosaur, Windows 7 does everything I need, quickly and securely,

Did everything I needed also, but was "forced" to "upgrade" I guess Win 7 wasn't sending back enough information to our controllers in Silicone Valley?

Fact is I am also happy with my 3g connection yet "they" are bound and determined to "force" me to "enjoy" all the "advantages" of 5g, will make no difference to me apart from frying my few remaining brain cells!

[wgdanson]

On 11/24/2019 at 12:00 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Are you sure you are still running Classic Shell, or has it been updated to Open Shell?

 

The below appears on your link.  I know just because active development has ceased, that it still might work, but thought now Windows 10 is in build 1909, which is probably the equivalent of Windows 10 Service Pack 4, or, Windows 14, that it may no longer work.  ????

 

Note: As of December 2017, Classic Shell is no longer in active development.

I have Classic Shell 4.3.0 installed and it works fine on latest W10 upgrade. Just upgraded C Shell to 4.3.1.

[KhunHeineken]

On 11/25/2019 at 1:07 PM, chrisinth said:

Programs like Open Shell/Classic Shell/Back to Start only tweak the graphic user interface, they don't make any changes to the 'engine' so to speak.

 

The only thing I can think of to allow you to fix minor issues is a more direct path to the proper Control Panel items rather than Settings.

 

If it is a privacy issue, there are many 3rd party softwares that will sort this out for you if you don't know how to disable them yourself. Also many programs to strip out the bloatware that comes with W10, have a search for Windows10Debloater as an example.

 

I understand that everyone hates change, but sometimes it is a necessary step to get to terms with the evolution of Windows otherwise, by staying in the past using GUI enhancement you will miss the more important changes to the OS.

 

And just to clarify, this is not a dig at you, fully understand that some people like the older interface. Just try not to miss the newer features. 

 

I am aware Windows 10 will be a new "engine" which I should have, to keep up with the ever evolving internet.

 

I'm one of the users that actually like the older Windows 7 UI.  It's that direct path to where I want to go that I have come to know and like, which makes things easier for me.

 

I have only just come to learn about the privacy issues in Windows 10 and was quite shocked.  I heard when Windows 10 was first released that it phones home, but I had no idea that the data collection by Windows 10 was so much, and so detailed, and that it can re-enable itself after an update.

 

I didn't know Windows 10 came with bloatware, but will now research that.  Thanks for the tip.  Can you give an example of some of the bloatware?

 

The last part of your post confused me.  I'll be upgrading to Windows 10, but will run either Open Shell or Start Is Back. By using these programs to change the UI, am I missing out on anything Windows 10 offers?  You mention newer features, do you mean to the Windows 10 UI, or the "engine" itself?

[KhunHeineken]

On 11/25/2019 at 2:23 PM, briley said:

Seems classic shell is not being actively developed, has been taken over by Open Shell, but my version still calls itself Classic Shell and still automatically updates when Windows 10 breaks the system.

 

Using it means there are no blocks etc and you can find the likes of control panel on the start button.

 

You can save all the settings you have applied before re-install of windows 10 then it is easy to keep it the way you want it.

 

That's interesting.

 

Seems it no longer is in active development, but still receives updates.

 

Maybe those updates are coming from Open Shell, for those still using Classic Shell. 

 

As I have said in another couple of posts, some of the privacy settings that you disable, re-enable themselves with Windows 10 updates.

 

How do you save your setting when you do a reinstall? 

[KhunHeineken]

13 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

I have Classic Shell 4.3.0 installed and it works fine on latest W10 upgrade. Just upgraded C Shell to 4.3.1.

As mentioned, maybe Open Shell is supporting Classic Shell.

 

Either way, good to know it's still working and is an option for me. 

 

Seems like Classic Shell / Open Shell is more popular than Start is Back.

 

Have you discovered anything negative with using Classic Shell? 

[wgdanson]

Just now, KhunHeineken said:

As mentioned, maybe Open Shell is supporting Classic Shell.

 

Either way, good to know it's still working and is an option for me. 

 

Seems like Classic Shell / Open Shell is more popular than Start is Back.

 

Have you discovered anything negative with using Classic Shell? 

No! Love it.

[KhunHeineken]

16 minutes ago, CGW said:

Did everything I needed also, but was "forced" to "upgrade" I guess Win 7 wasn't sending back enough information to our controllers in Silicone Valley?

Fact is I am also happy with my 3g connection yet "they" are bound and determined to "force" me to "enjoy" all the "advantages" of 5g, will make no difference to me apart from frying my few remaining brain cells!

Whilst I am all for progress, consumer redundancy can get out of control, and we are now seeing that in larger amounts of rubbish and landfill.

 

It disturbs me that in a developed nation, I have to throw out a perfectly working electronic device, because it it no longer supported in my country, but people in developing nations would love to have it. 

 

Throwing out 2G phones and upgrading to 3G / 4G phones is a prime example, when they turned off the 2G network.  There are poor people that can't even afford a phone, and mine goes into the rubbish bin.

 

It was similar with tube TV's when flat screen TV's became affordable.   

[chrisinth]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

I am aware Windows 10 will be a new "engine" which I should have, to keep up with the ever evolving internet.

 

I'm one of the users that actually like the older Windows 7 UI.  It's that direct path to where I want to go that I have come to know and like, which makes things easier for me.

 

I have only just come to learn about the privacy issues in Windows 10 and was quite shocked.  I heard when Windows 10 was first released that it phones home, but I had no idea that the data collection by Windows 10 was so much, and so detailed, and that it can re-enable itself after an update.

 

I didn't know Windows 10 came with bloatware, but will now research that.  Thanks for the tip.  Can you give an example of some of the bloatware?

 

The last part of your post confused me.  I'll be upgrading to Windows 10, but will run either Open Shell or Start Is Back. By using these programs to change the UI, am I missing out on anything Windows 10 offers?  You mention newer features, do you mean to the Windows 10 UI, or the "engine" itself?

Starting with the bloatware, the following is a list of the sponsored applications incorporated in 'normal' W10 installations:

 

#Sponsored Windows 10 AppX Apps
        #Add sponsored/featured apps to remove in the "*AppName*" format
        "*EclipseManager*"
        "*ActiproSoftwareLLC*"
        "*AdobeSystemsIncorporated.AdobePhotoshopExpress*"
        "*Duolingo-LearnLanguagesforFree*"
        "*PandoraMediaInc*"
        "*CandyCrush*"
        "*Wunderlist*"
        "*Flipboard*"
        "*Twitter*"
        "*Facebook*"
        "*Spotify*"
        "*Minecraft*"
        "*Royal Revolt*"
        "*Sway*"
        "*Speed Test*"
        "*Dolby*"

 

As said, the above is only the sponsored/featured apps. For a better understanding of the bloatware list have a look here and read down the list:

 

https://github.com/Sycnex/Windows10Debloater/blob/master/Windows10Debloater.ps1

 

The features that I mentioned with W10; if you are using a W7 GUI this will likely not affect you as the majority of new features are cosmetic or easier access through the W10 interface. The security and 'engine' modifications will happen anyway but will be under the hood so to speak and you likely won't notice them anyway.

[maxpower]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

I didn't know Windows 10 came with bloatware, but will now research that.  Thanks for the tip.  Can you give an example of some of the bloatware?

 

3DBuilder, Appconnector, Bing Finance, Bing News, Bing Sports, Bing Weather, Fresh Paint, Get started, Microsoft Office Hub, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Sticky Notes, OneNote, OneConnect, People, Skype for Desktop, Alarms, Camera, Maps, Phone, SoundRecorder, XboxApp, Zune Music, Zune Video, Windows communications apps, Minecraft, PowerBI, Network Speed Test, Phone, Messaging, Office Sway, Windows Feedback Hub, Bing Food And Drink, Bing Travel, Bing Health And Fitness, Windows Reading List, Twitter, Pandora, Flipboard, Shazam, CandyCrush, CandyCrushSoda, King apps, iHeartRadio, Netflix, DrawboardPDF, PicsArt-PhotoStudio, FarmVille 2 Country Escape, TuneInRadio, Asphalt8, NYT Crossword, CyberLink MediaSuite Essentials, Facebook, Royal Revolt 2, Caesars Slots Free Casino, March of Empires, Phototastic Collage, Autodesk SketchBook, Duolingo, EclipseManager, ActiproSoftware, BioEnrollment, Windows Feedback, Xbox Game CallableUI, Xbox Identity Provider.

 

PS

To keep sanity, its best to try and lose any start menu obsession picked up from Win 7. 

[chrisinth]

2 minutes ago, maxpower said:

3DBuilder, Appconnector, Bing Finance, Bing News, Bing Sports, Bing Weather, Fresh Paint, Get started, Microsoft Office Hub, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Sticky Notes, OneNote, OneConnect, People, Skype for Desktop, Alarms, Camera, Maps, Phone, SoundRecorder, XboxApp, Zune Music, Zune Video, Windows communications apps, Minecraft, PowerBI, Network Speed Test, Phone, Messaging, Office Sway, Windows Feedback Hub, Bing Food And Drink, Bing Travel, Bing Health And Fitness, Windows Reading List, Twitter, Pandora, Flipboard, Shazam, CandyCrush, CandyCrushSoda, King apps, iHeartRadio, Netflix, DrawboardPDF, PicsArt-PhotoStudio, FarmVille 2 Country Escape, TuneInRadio, Asphalt8, NYT Crossword, CyberLink MediaSuite Essentials, Facebook, Royal Revolt 2, Caesars Slots Free Casino, March of Empires, Phototastic Collage, Autodesk SketchBook, Duolingo, EclipseManager, ActiproSoftware, BioEnrollment, Windows Feedback, Xbox Game CallableUI, Xbox Identity Provider.

 

PS

To keep sanity, its best to try and lose any start menu obsession picked up from Win 7. 

That was the list I was looking for...............

[maxpower]

5 minutes ago, chrisinth said:

That was the list I was looking for...............

The list came from a shared Git source many Win 10 cleaners use.

 

If you search Github there are scripts to strip it all out for those wishing to create a sharp clean install. 

 

I will not post a link just in case someone blames me for destroying their OS.

[chrisinth]

1 hour ago, maxpower said:

The list came from a shared Git source many Win 10 cleaners use.

 

If you search Github there are scripts to strip it all out for those wishing to create a sharp clean install. 

 

I will not post a link just in case someone blames me for destroying their OS.

Yes, as mentioned in an earlier post I have been using Windows10Debloater, which is 'legal' freeware/script so it should be allowed a mention on here, for about a year now. This allows you to blacklist/whitelist what you want to keep or get rid of.

 

This gets you close to the LTSC version with full ability to update. Or, you can use the Windows10Debloaterps1 version (GUI) and get rid of it all with one button push as well as blocking all (well most of) the privacy settings too with another click.

 

Have to remember to re-run the program after major version updates, ie, 1809 to 1903. As 1909 is more like a small service pack rather than a full upgrade, the settings remained the same so I didn't have to run again.

Edited November 28, 2019 by chrisinth

[yogi100]

On 11/24/2019 at 9:30 AM, briley said:

Classic start shell works just fine n Windows 10 and very customizable to make it look and feel just as you want - mine looks like Win XP!

 

www.classicshell.net

 

 

I also had a W8 machine that I had updated to W10.

 

A pal then installed Classic Shell and the W7 style Start system on it and it's just like a the old W7 laptop I also use as a spare, wonderful.

[yogi100]

On 11/24/2019 at 10:23 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Windows 7 was far away better than the atrocious 10. Only thing going for it is it's better than the abominable 8.

Hate using 10, but came with the machine.

I doubt anyone despises MS more than I.

Get yours changed like I did. You won't regret it.

[KhunHeineken]

20 hours ago, chrisinth said:

Starting with the bloatware, the following is a list of the sponsored applications incorporated in 'normal' W10 installations:

 

#Sponsored Windows 10 AppX Apps
        #Add sponsored/featured apps to remove in the "*AppName*" format
        "*EclipseManager*"
        "*ActiproSoftwareLLC*"
        "*AdobeSystemsIncorporated.AdobePhotoshopExpress*"
        "*Duolingo-LearnLanguagesforFree*"
        "*PandoraMediaInc*"
        "*CandyCrush*"
        "*Wunderlist*"
        "*Flipboard*"
        "*Twitter*"
        "*Facebook*"
        "*Spotify*"
        "*Minecraft*"
        "*Royal Revolt*"
        "*Sway*"
        "*Speed Test*"
        "*Dolby*"

 

As said, the above is only the sponsored/featured apps. For a better understanding of the bloatware list have a look here and read down the list:

 

https://github.com/Sycnex/Windows10Debloater/blob/master/Windows10Debloater.ps1

 

The features that I mentioned with W10; if you are using a W7 GUI this will likely not affect you as the majority of new features are cosmetic or easier access through the W10 interface. The security and 'engine' modifications will happen anyway but will be under the hood so to speak and you likely won't notice them anyway.

 

Thanks for heads up.  I will definitely be uninstalling all of this.

 

Someone paying thousands of dollars for a high end business machine gets Candy Crush etc.  Ridiculous. 

 

I can understand that if Microsoft gives away Windows 10 for for free, which they did, than the user / owner is the product, but I would be prepared to pay for a version of Windows 10 that has no spyware / telemetry and bloatware, provided it was a reasonable price. 

[KhunHeineken]

20 hours ago, maxpower said:

3DBuilder, Appconnector, Bing Finance, Bing News, Bing Sports, Bing Weather, Fresh Paint, Get started, Microsoft Office Hub, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Sticky Notes, OneNote, OneConnect, People, Skype for Desktop, Alarms, Camera, Maps, Phone, SoundRecorder, XboxApp, Zune Music, Zune Video, Windows communications apps, Minecraft, PowerBI, Network Speed Test, Phone, Messaging, Office Sway, Windows Feedback Hub, Bing Food And Drink, Bing Travel, Bing Health And Fitness, Windows Reading List, Twitter, Pandora, Flipboard, Shazam, CandyCrush, CandyCrushSoda, King apps, iHeartRadio, Netflix, DrawboardPDF, PicsArt-PhotoStudio, FarmVille 2 Country Escape, TuneInRadio, Asphalt8, NYT Crossword, CyberLink MediaSuite Essentials, Facebook, Royal Revolt 2, Caesars Slots Free Casino, March of Empires, Phototastic Collage, Autodesk SketchBook, Duolingo, EclipseManager, ActiproSoftware, BioEnrollment, Windows Feedback, Xbox Game CallableUI, Xbox Identity Provider.

 

PS

To keep sanity, its best to try and lose any start menu obsession picked up from Win 7. 

Thanks for the full list.  See Post #16.  I'll be uninstalling all of them. 

 

What do you mean by, "To keep sanity, its best to try and lose any start menu obsession picked up from Win 7."

 

When Windows 8 did away with the start menu icon, there was global outrage, which caused the development of Classic Shell. 

 

After installing Windows 10, I will at least give it a try, because I haven't seen Windows 10 in its 1909 build form, but from chatting with friends, and seeing many posts on this forum since Windows 10 was released, it seems a lot of people are running Classic Shell / Open Shell. 

 

You would think Microsoft would pay attention to the amount of Classic Shell / Open Shell downloads, and then make that UI an option, because there is obviously a demand.

[KhunHeineken]

20 hours ago, maxpower said:

The list came from a shared Git source many Win 10 cleaners use.

 

If you search Github there are scripts to strip it all out for those wishing to create a sharp clean install. 

 

I will not post a link just in case someone blames me for destroying their OS.

Would you mind sending me a PM with the link?

 

Did you use it?  Did it uninstall all of the rubbish?  Does the rubbish come back with Windows 10 updates?