win10 Microsoft to block Classic Shell in Windows 10: here is why

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Microsoft to block Classic Shell in Windows 10: here is why

 

If you read Winaero regularly, you might be familiar with the awesome Classic Shell application. It became famous thanks to an excellent Start menu implementation with several styles from classic Windows 95-like to modern Windows 7-like. Classic Shell also provides a number of very useful fixes to significantly improve Explorer's behavior and revive its must have features like customizable toolbars or status bar size. Users who have already installed Windows 10 Technical Preview 3 Build 9879 are facing a strange issue that Classic Shell cannot be installed. The operating system simply does not allow the installer to do its work!

 

The reason why it happens is very simple: Microsoft needs your feedback on the Start menu they implemented from scratch in Windows 10. Also, they want you to test the Continuum feature which will be enabled out-of-the-box in upcoming builds. The Windows team wants to learn your use cases for the Start menu and what they did wrong in the current implementation of the menu.

 

But since the Classic shell app replaces the Start menu, they will not be able to collect the required data to change bits. So that's our guess why Microsoft is preventing you from installing third party menu apps.

 

If you cannot imagine your life without the Classic Shell menu or other features it offers, here is a workaround to install Classic Shell. Just rename its installer and use some random name for the installer file, i.e. name it abcdef.exe. Then launch the renamed installer and Classic Shell will be installed. That's it, you are done.

 

Source: Winaero via Winfuture.de

[The Evil Overlord]

Tin foil hat time in 3... 2... 1...

[ATLien_0]

I can agree with what Microsoft is doing. The whole point of these early builds is to get that feedback, so that come RTM people don't complain about those certain aspects. 

[PotatoAlchemist]

... yeah. I don't really see the point of the Start Menu being re-introduced in Windows 10 if it's not going to be really used anyhow. They should axe it out before the Consumer Preview altogether /s

[Max Norris]

Wait what? I have they're forcing me to test stuff in a test build? Arrogance!

(/s)

[sc302 Veteran]

I like how people are trying to change the OS to fit their everyday needs.  Can anyone explain what preview means and tell it to these people.  I understand seeing if an application works and how it works, but something to change the way the interface looks and feels when MS is trying to get feedback on the way they have designed their interface....really???

[The Evil Overlord]

... yeah. I don't really see the point of the Start Menu being re-introduced in Windows 10 if it's not going to be really used anyhow. They should axe it out before the Consumer Preview altogether /s

Although there was jest in your post, it makes more sense to do this to begin with, I think they should take a 'like it or lump it' approach to the whole thing, if it bites them in their corporate asses, so be it.

[PotatoAlchemist]

Wait what? I have they're forcing me to test stuff in a test build? Arrogance!

(/s)

Yet again, Microsoft didn't listen to customers' feedback once again. :rofl:

[PotatoAlchemist]

Although there was jest in your post, it makes more sense to do this to begin with, I think they should take a 'like it or lump it' approach to the whole thing, if it bites them in their corporate asses, so be it.

I know, I wasn't against the re-introduction of the Start Menu in Windows 10, it seems to be pulling off quite well, and of course with the coarse of how things are getting developed with Windows 10, it's already bound to be good. However, I was being Mr. Sarcasto towards the expectation of having the desired and functional Start Menu would be lowered, if non-native Start Menu is being utilized instead.

[theyarecomingforyou]

Makes sense, though it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft blocks it comes the final release. I would suspect not, as Windows 10 has so far been about choice.

[ATLien_0]

Yet again, Microsoft didn't listen to customers' feedback once again. :rofl:

Ironic, people complained that Microsoft didn't listen to feedback for Windows 8, but yet now for Windows 10 people want to change stuff preventing Microsoft from getting the proper feeback

[PotatoAlchemist]

Ironic, people complained that Microsoft didn't listen to feedback for Windows 8, but yet now for Windows 10 people want to change stuff preventing Microsoft from getting the proper feeback

That's correct, and then Microsoft will be accused from not listening to feedback once more. But it won't be Microsoft's fault anymore in this case.

[Woelfel]

That's correct, and then Microsoft will be accused from not listening to feedback once more. But it won't be Microsoft's fault anymore in this case.

 

They'll still get blamed unfortunately.

[DConnell Member]

Ironic, people complained that Microsoft didn't listen to feedback for Windows 8, but yet now for Windows 10 people want to change stuff preventing Microsoft from getting the proper feeback

It would be even more ironic if all these people replacing the default menu with 3rd party caused Microsoft to decide not to bother bringing back the menu.

 

I mean if these people are happier with the 3rd party menu, why not just let them use those tools and focus on other concerns?

 

If you want the menu back, the best idea would be to test the one MS is making and help improve it.

[ATLien_0]

It would be even more ironic if all these people replacing the default menu with 3rd party caused Microsoft to decide not to bother bringing back the menu.

 

I mean if these people are happier with the 3rd party menu, why not just let them use those tools and focus on other concerns?

 

If you want the menu back, the best idea would be to test the one MS is making and help improve it.

The problem is that "most" that use the 3rd party menus are power users like us. If the menu is removed, OEM's will scramble to add one in or not even. So in the end the average consumer will get screwed over. 

Power users need to have that mind that average consumers are going to be using this OS later on, what will help them 

[DConnell Member]

The problem is that "most" that use the 3rd party menus are power users like us. If the menu is removed, OEM's will scramble to add one in or not even. So in the end the average consumer will get screwed over. 

Power users need to have that mind that average consumers are going to be using this OS later on, what will help them 

 

Which is kind of the point I'm trying to make. We need to test this preview as offered for the feedback to be the most effective. While normally I'd say that any software we use should be fair game to test, this exception makes perfect sense.

 

I don't care about the Menu, as I have no intention of using it. But if someone wants it back so badly, why wouldn't he want to contribute to the final product.

I just find it funny that MS is putting back this feature in this test build for the people that complained to try out and give feedback on. But some of those people don't want to use and test it because it "isn't good enough".

[DJGM]

While it's fair enough that Microsoft want people to test the new hybrid Start menu in Windows 10 Technical Preview, it's worth noting

that Classic Shell has, for quite some time now, had an option to easily switch back to the built in default Start menu or Start Screen.

 

In my installation of Classic Shell on Windows 8.1, I have it set to the original Windows 95/98/2000 style Start menu, which also has

an easy link back to the Modern UI Start Screen. I'm only ever one quick click away from the Modern UI apps whenever I wish to

use any of them, so I have  the best of both worlds. Assuming Microsoft only block any 3rd party Start menus in the preview

releases for Windows 10, and not in the finalised RTM builds, then I'm not complaining.

 

Choice is good.

 

[+Random Stranger Subscriber¹]

As soon as they reallow Classic Shell to be installed in the final build, I am totally understanding them blocking it now... They need feedback on their own!

[daorbed9]

I can agree with what Microsoft is doing. The whole point of these early builds is to get that feedback, so that come RTM people don't complain about those certain aspects. 

 

I don't really agree with the thought even though I understand why.  If they can install CS at RTM then they aren't the users you want the feedback from anyway.

 

Personally I think interactive tiles are kinda ineffective.  They are too small to really show anything and there just isn't that much information to link that is needed at a quick glance.  I don't want webpage buttons on my start menu.  So it's more a place to put advertisements or links to making a profit through some web based service.  The start menu needs to do one thing really, organized links to all the programs and settings of that computer.  This desperate need to make it more will prove futile.  Better multitasking is what they need to focus on.

[firey]

this is ridiculous.  Primarily because if people are installing classic shell.. then how it functions is what people want so MS should do that.. not make people use something else.

[Anibal P]

As soon as they reallow Classic Shell to be installed in the final build, I am totally understanding them blocking it now... They need feedback on their own!

 

I'd be cool with a permaban, but that's me. unlike some "power users" I don't need a third party menu to add unneeded complexity and another failure vector, I need a menu to simply work, Start Menu does that, Start Screen does it also 

[Mr. Gibs]

this is ridiculous.  Primarily because if people are installing classic shell.. then how it functions is what people want so MS should do that.. not make people use something else.

Except that this is a PREVIEW. MS needs people to report bugs, report suggestions, report complaints. Not to install third party shells and go "sweet I'm going to use this as my daily OS."

[chrisj1968]

... yeah. I don't really see the point of the Start Menu being re-introduced in Windows 10 if it's not going to be really used anyhow. They should axe it out before the Consumer Preview altogether /s

 

Like I've said. MSFT is trying to force the user to accept what it wants to give you. the faithful absolutely eat it up and say its progress. progress is where a user can have the OS look the way and work the way they like.

[zhangm Supervisor]

Like I've said. MSFT is trying to force the user to accept what it wants to give you.

 

This is utterly inconsistent with the observation that they are releasing preview builds and updates to testers, and are soliciting feedback.

[dragontology]

I like how people are trying to change the OS to fit their everyday needs.  Can anyone explain what preview means and tell it to these people.  I understand seeing if an application works and how it works, but something to change the way the interface looks and feels when MS is trying to get feedback on the way they have designed their interface....really???

This post rings true with me. I use Cubic Explorer as my file manager. It features tabs, so I can quickly and easily copy and move files around. I really should be using Microsoft's own file manager. I don't even dislike it; in fact, I'm one of the few who likes the Ribbon (sorry?).

 

In the defense of myself and others, I think there's a very valid, selfish reason for using the tech preview. Getting used to the new OS before I buy it. And, I'm definitely going to buy it. But, my wife hated it at first, because it looked and acted just a little too much like Windows 8, which she despises (because things aren't where she expects). It's since won her over, and she's told me that Microsoft has improved it over 7, which was to her like the gun you'd have to pry from Charlton Heston's "cold, dead hands." And I'm still learning as well. Though, you're right, I should recognize my due dilligence as a tester and provide feedback on what their parts don't do that I want, rather than just using the tools I want. Won't part me from my Firefox though; but I might drop them a line that IE 11 needs better extension support.

 

That's correct, and then Microsoft will be accused from not listening to feedback once more. But it won't be Microsoft's fault anymore in this case.

That depends. Will Microsoft implement the top 10 suggestions all the tech blogs latched onto a few weeks ago? There is a ton of feedback. There are some great ideas. I hope they listen to what's there. If they don't, I don't think it's fair to absolve them of everything.

 

The Start Menu's never been very effective though, to be perfectly honest. In Windows 95 through 7, it's been bogged down with crap and sub level menus that make navigation a nightmare. The live tiles are a good idea, but I don't care for the aesthetic. My solution in the 9x/2k/XP days was to drill the Start Menu down to 4-7 folders, each a type of app. Music, video, games, tools, writing, etc. And then I'd drag the app icons into those and delete the rest. So on my computer, you'd go Start, All Programs, Music, whatever. Or games, whatever. I do the same thing with Android's app drawer (via Nova Launcher). And people say it's confusing! With 10 it's even worse. Some stuff I install doesn't show up at all! And then at the top level of All Programs you have all these stupid (read: metro) apps I'll never use. Alarms? Computer isn't in the bedroom. Camera? My computer does not have one. Bunch of crap I will never use. Not being facetious. Can't remember examples now, but there were a few that literally, not figuratively, made me stop and wonder what the heck I would ever use that for. So, work is needed. Guess that's why it's a tech preview...