Software Update: Classic Shell 3.9.0 Beta

The first beta release of Classic Shell 4.0 has been released. This open source program can make changes to the appearance of Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, the start button, and the start menu in Windows 7 and 8. In Windows 8, it can add a start button and start menu, and cause Windows to boot directly to the desktop environment, instead of of the Metro interface. In version 4.0, support for Windows Vista has been discontinued and the Windows 7 skin has been greatly improved.

Version 3.9.0 beta

This is the first public beta of the new Classic Shell 4. It has a long list of new features:

• New “Windows 7” menu style that replicates the look and feel of the Windows 7 start menu
  • the programs show in a tree inside the main menu
  • search results and jump lists show inside the main menu
  • dedicated shutdown button
  • the unparallel customizability you’ve come to expect from Classic Shell
• You can search for files as well as programs, using the Windows indexing service
• The menu can show the most frequently used programs
• Programs can be pinned directly from Explorer
• New programs are automatically highlighted in the menu
• The list of Classic Shell settings can be searched to easily find the setting you need
• New more reliable way to start on Windows 8, that doesn’t use a service
• Improved compatibility with Windows 8.1 Preview
• Many improvements to performance and responsiveness

Note: Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are no longer supported.