113 replies to this topic 10 votes

[~Johnny]

So, this thread is about a Classic Shell skin... anyone recall that? Let's try to stay on topic now please, lest this thread gets put to rest.

[DARKFiB3R]

spoil sport

[falourmama]

I'm currently using Vistart to get a start menu in my Windows 8 machine.

[UXGaurav]

Version 3.6.2 adds:
- Faster skipping of Metro
- Ability to view, search and launch Windows Store apps from a neat sub-menu
- Jump lists, fully compatible with the Windows Taskbar.
- Many other minor fixes.

[LUTZIFER]

Those screenshots of skins look nothing like Windows 7 or Windows XP.

[Guth]

LUTZIFER, on 29 October 2012 - 13:23, said:

Those screenshots of skins look nothing like Windows 7 or Windows XP.

Agree with this. Nearly every single customization program/skin whatever I have ever used has been crap and buggy. Looked nothing like it should and always had parts of bad anti-aliasing and transparency always looked bad. I was tempted to try Classic Shell but after seeing the screenshots Im not going to bother.
I like the windows start screen, but I do miss the start menu I wont deny that.
I am just going to try and embrace the changes and get used to it.

Removed bit about Andrea, she seems to attract trouble and I aint getting involved! xD

[+warwagon]

Guth, on 29 October 2012 - 15:15, said:

Agree with this. Nearly every single customization program/skin whatever I have ever used has been crap and buggy. Looked nothing like it should and always had parts of bad anti-aliasing and transparency always looked bad. I was tempted to try Classic Shell but after seeing the screenshots Im not going to bother.
I like the windows start screen, but I do miss the start menu I wont deny that.
I am just going to try and embrace the changes and get used to it.

Removed bit about Andrea, she seems to attract trouble and I aint getting involved! xD

Might try one of those apps.

[UXGaurav]

I agree with people on the design when they say it's ugly. It is capable of being completely skinned and transformed but the defaults are FUGLY. For all three styles. But my hands are tied as far as defaults are concerned. I am tester, not developer. I will try to create an exact Windows 7 Start Menu-like skin in a few days.

[Sergey "hb860"]

In case someone interested, we have released a skin for Classic Shell.
It looks good in Windows 8, much better than default skins. The skins shipping as part of Classic Shell do not match the look of the Windows 7 Start Menu or the style of Windows 8. Many settings also need to be heavily tweaked to get a more closer look. We tried to match the look on Windows 8 while making some changes from the Windows 7 style. For example, the skin has square corners, not rounded corners, like Windows 8 has. Also, because Windows 8 no longer has blur or glow, the glass is replaced by simple transparency, just like the Windows 8 taskbar uses. Semi-transparent Start Menu without blur makes the content behind it much harder to read, so we made the skin with very subtle transparency, that keeps the content behind it readable.
Sample:


Download link

Please read provided FAQ.