Suspected PayPal Hackers Seek Deal To Stay Out Of Prison
Did A Google Earth Mistake Cause A Couple's Brutal Murder?
Classic Shell now makes Internet Explorer 9 look like IE8
If you used Windows XP for a long time (who didn't?), one of the biggest changes when moving to Windows 7 or Vista was the massively-altered Explorer. While the new Explorer introduces some useful new features, it also removed just as many -- which is where Classic Shell comes in!
We've covered Classic Shell before, but here's the crib note: Classic Shell restores almost every Windows XP-era Explorer feature. The best change, in our opinion, is the reemergence of the 'up' arrow, meaning you now navigate without using the Windows Vista/7 'breadcrumbs' address bar. The status bar yet again shows the total size of your selection, and -- praise be! -- the diabolical Windows 7 Copy File 'copy and replace?' dialog has been replaced with a Windows XP lookalike (image after the break).
New to the most recent version of Classic Shell is the ability to make IE9 look like IE8. With Classic Shell the title bar yet again has a caption, so you can see the full title of Web pages. The current security zone and loading progress indicator have been put back into the status bar, too. If you enable 'Show tabs on a separate row,' it's almost like using IE8.
Finally, Classic Shell replaces the omnipotent Windows 7 Start Menu with the age-old 'classic' Windows 2000/XP-style Start Menu. Classic Shell makes the Start Menu skinable, too, if you're into the kind of thing.
As awesome as it sounds, we've only touched on a small section of Classic Shell's feature set. Check the Classic Shell site for a complete list. There's a few more images of Classic Shell in action after the break.
Download Classic Shell for Windows
Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsDr_whiteApr 4th 2011 2:01PM
I literally could not use Windows 7 without Classic Shell. If some of my hardware didn't require Win7 I still wouldn't be using it. Now if they could just restore the fast XP networking, fast (and functioning) XP search and the Quick Launch we'd be set! (Right now I'm using Agent Ransack as a search replacement. Getting back Quick Launch is a simple drag-n'-drop hack, just Google it).
this-is-meApr 6th 2011 10:46AM
@Dr_white, Please explain to me why you would want a quick launch bar in Windows 7. I am not faulting you, but I am truly confused on this one. Is it because you have not experienced that Windows 7 allows any program or document to be pinned to the taskbar (like quick launch)? Or, is it because you are not comfortable with typing the first few letters of a program into the start menu to launch it? In other words, what features do a quick launch bar give you that the Windows 7 taskbar does not already?
MpmcfarlaneApr 4th 2011 5:01PM
I love this, I've used it for about a year now. I have my Windows 7 look exactly like Windows 2K does out of the box. I switched all the logos, the wallpaper, the icons, everything about the OS is exactly like 2000.
anonymousApr 4th 2011 11:07PM
And it's not just about obtaining classic features. The Start menu is far more customizable than the default Windows menu right down to the icon, target and infotip. In fact you can make it exactly like the new Windows menu including the search and hit enter style. For Vista users, it gives the same Start menu search improvements made in Windows 7 such as searching control panel tasks (God Mode). The default Windows Start menu doesn't even allow you to put your own custom folder paths in the right column. And it supports skins too, the smoked glass skin is the best looking skin.
zunerApr 6th 2011 12:13PM
@this-is-me, on the Windows 7 Taskbar, whether large icons or small icons are chosen, the pinned program buttons are far too wide with too much space in between so the taskbar quickly becomes full. I use many programs and the taskbar is too crowded. Quick Launch is very compact and also separates running programs from non-running ones. So it's hardly the same as the Windows 7 taskbar.
FyrewerxApr 9th 2011 9:57PM
@this-is-me : I don't know about Dr_white, but the only thing I don't like about the Win 7 task bar is that it is too fat... and the large icons for the pinned documents just look lame. However, that's not a show stopper for using it, and I'm sure I'll be used to it by the time Win 8 arrives.
JonnyApr 6th 2011 2:10PM
I'm amazed at people who still don't know how to properly use windows 7 despite that it's easier and more user friendly then ever.
@zuner
a)it's supposed to fill your taskbar and b) if you don't like it you can make the icons smaller, and/or enable the quick launch bar still.
anonymousApr 6th 2011 11:53PM
@Jonny I'm still surprised at some idiots who think the operating system is designed to be used only in a specific way. They think their way is the best and belittle anyone who wishes to use it differently. They are clueless about usability. The computer is about making it work how we want it it work, not how Microsoft wants it to work.