The Open-Shell Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Open-Shell in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Open-Shell
The Insider’s Guide
Free classic-style Start menu and Explorer tweaks for Windows
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Open-Shell’s own pages.
Made by Open-Shell · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Open-Shell’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Open-Shell’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
Open-Shell is a set of free Windows add-ons that bring back older interface parts, chiefly a classic-style Start menu. It also adds a toolbar and a status bar to Windows Explorer. The project continues the Classic Shell software by Ivo Beltchev and is published under the MIT license on GitHub.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Open-Shell, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It runs only on Windows and support comes from GitHub and chat rooms.
- 1
Best for a classic Start menu on Windows
Open Shell brings back a classic-style Start menu and some Explorer toolbar and status bar tweaks, free.
- 2
It is free
Open-Shell has no paid plan at all. The whole project is free; releases are published on GitHub.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
Classic Start menu
A classic-style Start menu for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11.
- 5
Explorer toolbar
Adds a toolbar to Windows Explorer.
- 6
Explorer status bar
Shows file size and disk space in the Explorer status bar.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 154 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Open-Shell is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Open-Shell at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Open-Shell
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a classic Start menu on Windows
Open Shell brings back a classic-style Start menu and some Explorer toolbar and status bar tweaks, free. It runs only on Windows and support comes from GitHub and chat rooms.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free, which is below anything in the category. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright with no cap, released on GitHub. |
| Features | B | Classic Start menu, Explorer toolbar and status bar, skins and custom start buttons, with stable and nightly builds. The classic copy dialog works on Windows 7 only. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. Install it and the menu replaces the default. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only. Windows only; no Mac, Linux, phone or web version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Open-Shell is for
- Fits if you want the old Windows Start menu back
- Works for people who like skins and a customised start button
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want a help desk, as support is GitHub issues, Discussions, Gitter and Discord
- Watch out: the GitHub page warns against versions older than 4.4.196 on Windows for ARM because login can fail after reboot
- Watch out: the classic copy dialog applies to Windows 7 only
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, as it is Windows only
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who prefer the older Start menu layout
- People who want a free, MIT-licensed alternative to paid Start menu tools
Worth knowing
- Windows only. The classic copy dialog applies to Windows 7 alone.
- The GitHub page warns against installing versions older than 4.4.196 on Windows for ARM, because login can fail after a reboot.
- Support is through GitHub issues, Discussions, Gitter and Discord rather than a vendor help desk.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Open-Shell is free to use.
Free, which is below anything in the category.
Free
$0
All components, with stable releases and nightly builds on GitHub.
The free plan
The whole project is free; releases are published on GitHub.
Read from open-shell.github.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Free classic-style Start menu and Explorer tweaks for Windows. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, launcher.
Classic Start menu, Explorer toolbar and status bar, skins and custom start buttons, with stable and nightly builds.
- Classic Start menu
- A classic-style Start menu for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11.
- Explorer toolbar
- Adds a toolbar to Windows Explorer.
- Explorer status bar
- Shows file size and disk space in the Explorer status bar.
- Skins and custom start buttons
- The project site has guides for skinning the Start menu and for custom Start buttons.
- Stable and nightly builds
- A stable release and a nightly build are both offered for download.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Open-Shell is made by Open-Shell.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
154/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Open-Shell's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Open-Shell has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Open-Shell’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Open-Shell is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Open-Shell is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- A launcher wired into the operating system.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Open-Shell’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
StartAllBack, Fences, Microsoft PowerToys and Everything
The 4 tools Open-Shell is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
StartAllBack
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
Windows 11 taskbar, Start menu and Explorer restyling tool.
- Open-Shell has a free plan. StartAllBack does not, though it has a free trial.
- Open-Shell is open source, according to its own site.
- StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Fences
Free trial · from $9.99/yr
Windows desktop organizer that groups icons into shaded areas.
- Open-Shell has a free plan. Fences does not, though it has a free trial.
- Open-Shell is open source, according to its own site.
- Fences can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Microsoft PowerToys also covers window management, file management and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- 2.8GPA
Everything
Free
Instant file and folder name search for Windows.
- Open-Shell is open source, according to its own site.
- Open-Shell also covers launcher.
- Everything also covers file management.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Open-Shell free?
Yes. Open-Shell is free to use.
How much does Open-Shell cost?
Open-Shell lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Open-Shell work on?
Open-Shell is available on Windows.
Does Open-Shell have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Open-Shell is listed for Windows.
Does Open-Shell have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Open-Shell is listed for Windows.
Is Open-Shell open source?
Yes. Open-Shell is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Open-Shell?
Open-Shell is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Open-Shell?
The closest alternatives to Open-Shell in our directory are StartAllBack, Fences, Microsoft PowerToys and Everything.
How does Open-Shell compare with other desktop utilities?
Open-Shell's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
Is Open-Shell good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Open-Shell A for value for money. Open-Shell has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Open-Shell?
Open-Shell is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Open-Shell’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Open-Shell's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Open-Shell. Prices change, so check open-shell.github.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Open-Shell, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/open-shell
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Open-Shell: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/open-shell
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/open-shell/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Open-Shell, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 187 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- Just Color Picker Insider's GuideFree portable color picker and editor for Windows and macOS3.2 GPA
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Mos Insider's GuideFree Mac menu bar utility for smooth mouse wheel scrolling3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Open-Shell’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Open-Shell is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Open-Shell. Prices and plans change: check open-shell.github.io before you buy.