Windows 8: Login, Start Menu & Hot Corner Settings

Classic Shell Start Button Implementation

Upon installation of Classic Shell, a Start button will appear in its traditional location. Activating the Classic Shell start menu is achieved by pressing the Windows key, functioning as expected.

Interface Styles

By default, Classic Shell employs the Windows Classic layout, mirroring the aesthetics of Windows 2000 and Windows 98. Alternative styles, including those reminiscent of Windows 7 and Windows XP, are also available for selection.

Search Functionality

Regardless of the chosen interface, the integrated search box facilitates a comprehensive search of your installed programs. This allows for rapid application launching through keyword searches, similar to the functionality found in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

A key distinction from the newer Start screen is that Classic Shell’s search results consolidate applications and Control Panel applets into a single list. This eliminates the need to navigate to separate sections when seeking Control Panel settings.

Visual Representation

The Classic Shell interface provides a familiar experience for users accustomed to earlier Windows versions.

The search functionality is designed for efficiency and ease of use.

Customizing the User Interface with Classic Shell

Upon installation, Classic Shell automatically configures the system to boot directly to the desktop and deactivates the Start screen hot corner located in the bottom-left portion of the display. However, the application switcher, exclusive to Modern applications, remains accessible in the top-left corner, and the charms bar persists on the screen's right edge.

Should you prefer a cleaner desktop experience without these elements, they can be disabled through Classic Shell’s configuration options. This allows for a more traditional computing environment.

To modify these settings, navigate to the "All Settings" option found at the bottom of the Classic Start Menu settings window. Subsequently, select the "Windows 8 Settings" tab. Within this tab, you can instruct Classic Shell to deactivate all active screen corners.

Accessing Features via Hotkeys

Even with corner deactivation, the charms bar and app switcher remain accessible using Windows 8’s keyboard shortcuts. Pressing the Windows key + C will bring up the charms bar, while Windows key + Tab will activate the app switcher.

These shortcuts provide an alternative method for accessing these features without relying on the screen corners.

It’s important to note that the "Skip Metro screen" function isn’t entirely seamless. A brief delay occurs during login, where the Start screen is momentarily visible before Classic Shell loads the desktop. Microsoft intentionally made direct desktop login challenging.

However, locking your computer, rather than fully logging out, will present the desktop upon re-login. This minimizes exposure to the Start screen to only a brief instance when shutting down or logging out completely.

Customization Options

Classic Shell provides extensive customization capabilities, making it ideal for users who enjoy fine-tuning their system. It offers a wealth of settings to manage the appearance and functionality of both the Start menu and the Start button, including the ability to utilize personalized Start button images and visual skins.

Users can, for instance, choose a Metro-inspired skin under the Skins section and complement it with a corresponding Metro-style Start button image via the Start Button tab. This allows Classic Shell to seamlessly integrate with the Windows 8 environment.

The remaining tabs contain a comprehensive array of options, granting control over every aspect of the Start menu’s behavior and presentation.

Access to the settings panel can be conveniently achieved by right-clicking the Classic Shell Start button and selecting "Settings."

Benefits of Using Classic Shell

Windows 8 introduced several notable enhancements, such as quicker boot times, a significantly improved file transfer process, and a redesigned Task Manager. However, Classic Shell enables those who favor a traditional desktop experience to bypass much of the new interface—previously referred to as Metro—while still benefiting from the core improvements of Windows 8.

This allows users to maintain a familiar workflow and layout without sacrificing the performance and stability of the updated operating system.