StartAllBack

About this release

Every few years the desktop shell gets redesigned and a large number of people find that the new version removed something they used constantly. This utility puts it back. The start menu returns to a proper hierarchical layout with all programs, the taskbar goes back to being movable and ungrouped with labels on the buttons, and the context menus stop hiding half their entries behind a second click.

It works by hooking the shell rather than replacing it, which is why it stays fast and why system updates rarely break it for long. The system search still works, the notification area behaves normally and modern applications launch exactly as they would otherwise. Nothing is uninstalled and the whole thing can be switched off from its own settings panel, at which point the system looks untouched.

The customisation surface is wide. Start menu style, icon size, folder behaviour, taskbar position, button grouping, label text, transparency, corner rounding, ribbon and command bar style in the file manager, and the full classic context menu are all individually toggled. Sensible presets exist for people who want the classic look in one click rather than an afternoon of settings.

It is light on resources, adding a small process that uses very little memory and no measurable processor time when idle. On older machines the classic shell is noticeably quicker to respond than the animated modern one, which is a common reason for installing it on hardware that is being kept in service.

What it does

Classic start menu

Hierarchical program list with folders, sizing options and proper keyboard navigation.

Taskbar control

Move it to any edge, ungroup buttons, show labels, set sizes and adjust transparency.

Full context menus

The complete right click menu returns instead of a shortened list with more options hidden behind it.

File manager styling

Classic ribbon and command bar options alongside the modern layout.

One click presets

Ready made looks for people who want the classic desktop immediately rather than tuning every option.

Reversible

Turn it off from its own panel and the system appearance returns to stock with nothing left behind.

Changed in this version

• Compatibility updated for the current system feature update.
• Taskbar label rendering improved on high density displays.
• Start menu search results appear faster on large program lists.
• New preset added matching the older classic desktop more closely.
• Reduced memory footprint of the background process.

System requirements

Install order

1. Unpack the archive and run the installer.
2. Choose whether it applies to the current user or all users.
3. Pick a preset on first launch, then adjust individual options.
4. Sign out and back in if the taskbar does not change immediately.

Worth knowing before you start

File details