Open-Shell is a free, MIT-licensed collection of utilities that brings back the classic Windows Start menu and Explorer behavior. Version 4.4.198 weighs 9.5 MB and was released on May 12, 2026 by The Open-Shell Team. This build fixes search selecting the wrong item before programs finish loading, and a stuck open/save file dialog after a Windows 11 update.
First steps after installing the classic menu
The package ID is Open-Shell.Open-Shell-Menu, which is useful if you prefer to install from a package manager. After setup, the tags point to the Start menu and File Explorer as the main areas it changes.
Check the developer site at open-shell.github.io before you decide on settings.
What the project does well on Windows
Its stated purpose is to bring back classic features to Windows, and the tags mention a Win7-style Start menu. It costs nothing and uses the MIT license.
The latest release fixes a stuck open/save file dialog after a Windows 11 update, which shows the project still follows current Windows changes.
When Nilesoft Shell or ExplorerPatcher fits better
If you want to change Explorer behavior rather than the Start menu, ExplorerPatcher or Nilesoft Shell may suit you more. For wallpapers or taskbar looks, Rainmeter, Lively Wallpaper, TranslucentTB and Windhawk are listed as alternatives.
What's new in 4.4.198
Version 4.4.198 fixes search selecting the wrong item before programs finish loading. It also fixes the open/save file dialog getting stuck after a Windows 11 update and updates font names in the Japanese localization.
Open-Shell pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- MIT license
- Small download at 9.5 MB
- Restores classic Start menu and Explorer features
- Recent fix for the Windows 11 file dialog issue
Cons
- No independent security review is available
- Feature list is a single line, so details are thin
- Focused on classic menu behavior, not wider theming
Is Open-Shell safe?
The file is downloaded from github.com, the official host, and we do not host it. The license is MIT and the publisher is The Open-Shell Team. No independent security review is available, so scan the file as you would any download.
How to install Open-Shell
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Open-Shell from the Start menu.
