Advanced Customization Guide for Open Shell

Open Shell is highly customizable, allowing you to your Windows experience to match your personal preferences. While the basic settings are accessible through the Options menu, this guide delves into the more advanced customization techniques that can truly elevate your Open Shell experience.

Understanding Open Shell's Customization Architecture

Before diving into specific techniques, it's important to understand how Open Shell's customization system is structured. Customizations are stored in three main locations:

• Registry Settings - Core configuration options are stored in the Windows Registry
• XML Skin Files - Define visual appearance through XML markup with precise control over every UI element
• Resource Files - Icons, backgrounds, and other visual elements

For most advanced customizations, you'll need to work with at least two of these three systems.

Part 1: Creating Custom Skins

Custom skins allow you to completely the look of your Start Menu. Let's explore how to create and modify them.

Understanding Skin Files

Skin files are XML documents with a specific structure that defines the visual appearance of the Start Menu. Each skin file contains:

• Metadata (name, author, version)
• Color definitions
• Image resource references
• Layout specifications
• Component styling

The default skin files are stored in C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\Skins. You can use these as templates for your own custom skins.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Skin>
 <Info>
  <Title>Custom Skin</Title>
  <Author>Your Name</Author>
  <Version>1.0</Version>
  <Description>A custom Open Shell skin</Description>
 </Info>
 <!-- Color Definitions -->
 <SkinColors>
  <Color name="MenuBackground" value="#F5F5F5"/>
  <Color name="MenuText" value="#333333"/>
  <Color name="SelectionBackground" value="#0078D7"/>
  <Color name="SelectionText" value="#FFFFFF"/>
  <!-- Additional colors -->
 </SkinColors>
 <!-- Component Definitions -->
 <MenuPanel opacity="95%">
  <!-- Panel styling -->
 </MenuPanel>
 <!-- More components -->
</Skin>

Creating a Skin: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start with a template

   Begin by copying an existing skin file that's closest to your desired design. Rename it to something unique.

2. Modify the metadata

   Update the <Info> section with your own details (Title, Author, etc.).

3. Customize colors

   Edit the <SkinColors> section to define your custom color palette. Colors can be specified using HEX values (#RRGGBB) or RGB values (rgb(r,g,b)).

4. Adjust component styling

   Modify the various component definitions to change borders, padding, margins, and other visual properties.

5. Add custom images

   Replace image references with your own. Images should be placed in a subfolder with the same name as your skin file (without the .xml extension).

6. Test incrementally

   Make changes in small batches and test frequently to avoid debugging complex issues.

Before Customization

Default Windows 10 skin

After Customization

Custom skin with modern elements

Part 2: Advanced Registry Tweaks

While most settings are accessible through the Open Shell Menu Settings interface, some advanced options can only be modified through the Windows Registry.

Important Registry Locations

Open Shell stores its settings in the following registry locations:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\OpenShell\StartMenu - Main Start Menu settings
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\OpenShell\ClassicExplorer - Explorer integration settings
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\OpenShell\ClassicIE - Internet Explorer integration settings

Useful Registry Tweaks

Video Tutorial: Advanced Registry Tweaking

Part 3: Custom Menu Layouts with XML

Open Shell allows you to completely customize the menu layout through XML configuration. This powerful feature lets you add, remove, and rearrange menu items to create a personalized experience.

Working with Menu Layout XML

The menu layout is defined in an XML file that you can edit directly. Here's how to access and modify it:

1. Export the current layout

   Open Open Shell Menu Settings → Backup/Restore → Export Settings → Select"Just menu layout"

2. Edit the XML file

   Open the exported file in an XML editor

3. Modify menu structure

   Add, remove, or rearrange menu items by editing the XML structure

4. Import the updated layout

   Return to Open Shell Menu Settings → Backup/Restore → Import Settings → Select your modified file

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<MenuLayout>
 <!-- Main Menu Items -->
 <Item setting="Item1">
  <Link name="Command Prompt" command="cmd.exe" />
 </Item>
 <Item setting="Item2">
  <Link name="Notepad" command="notepad.exe" />
 </Item>
 <Item setting="Item3">
  <Folder name="Development Tools">
   <Link name="Visual Studio Code" command="code.exe" />
   <Link name="GitHub Desktop" command="GitHubDesktop.exe" />
  </Folder>
 </Item>
 <Item setting="Item4">
  <Special name="ControlPanel" />
 </Item>
 <!-- More items -->
</MenuLayout>

Custom Menu Elements You Can Add

Part 4: Creating Custom Start Button Images

The Start button itself can be customized with your own images to match your theme or branding preferences.

Start Button Image Specifications

For the best results, follow these specifications when creating custom Start button images:

• Format: PNG files with transparency support
• Resolution: For standard DPI: 54x46 pixels for Windows 7, 56x56 pixels for Windows 8/10/11
• States: Create separate images for Normal, Hover, and Pressed states
• File naming: button_normal.png, button_hover.png, button_pressed.png

Example Start Button States

Normal

Hover

Pressed

Applying Custom Start Button Images

To use your custom Start button images:

1. Open Open Shell Menu Settings
2. Go to the"Start Button" tab
3. Select"Custom" from the dropdown menu
4. Click"Browse" and navigate to the folder containing your custom button images
5. Select the images for each state (normal, hover, pressed)
6. Click"OK" to apply the changes

Part 5: Power User Techniques

These advanced techniques are for users comfortable with system modifications and seeking the highest level of customization.

Keyboard Shortcut Optimization

Create a custom keyboard shortcut system with Open Shell by modifying the keyboard mapping:

1. Export your current menu layout XML as described in Part 3
2. Add hotkey="X" attributes to your menu items, where X is a letter or number
3. Import the modified XML file back into Open Shell
4. Now you can access those items by pressing the Win key + your chosen hotkey

<Link name="Notepad" command="notepad.exe" hotkey="N" />
<Link name="Command Prompt" command="cmd.exe" hotkey="C" />

Custom Search Providers

Extend Open Shell's search functionality with custom search providers:

1. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\OpenShell\StartMenu\SearchProviders in Registry Editor
2. Create a new key with a name for your search provider (e.g.,"GoogleSearch")
3. Add a string value named"URL" with a value like"https://www.google.com/search?q=%s" (where %s will be replaced with your search terms)
4. Add a string value named"Icon" with the path to an icon file (optional)

Community Showcase

Draw inspiration from these outstanding community customizations:

Modern Metro Mix

By UserMaster92

A clean, minimalist skin combining Windows 7 usability with Windows 10 aesthetics.

Retro Revival

By ClassicFan

A nostalgic Windows XP theme with modern enhancements and improved scaling.

Dark Professional

By DeveloperJane

A sophisticated dark theme optimized for low-light conditions and extended usage.

Resources and References

For more information and advanced learning resources, check out these references:

• Official Open Shell Skinning Tutorial - Comprehensive guide to skin creation
• Settings XML Format Documentation - Technical reference for XML configuration
• Open Shell GitHub Discussions - Community support and sharing
• DeviantArt Start Menu Skins - Gallery of custom skins for inspiration
• Open Shell Documentation - Complete product documentation

Conclusion

Advanced customization of Open Shell allows you to create a Windows experience that's truly your own. By mastering skins, registry tweaks, XML layouts, and custom graphics, you can the standard interface into something that perfectly matches your workflow, aesthetic preferences, and productivity needs.

Remember that customization is an iterative process. Start with small changes, test frequently, and gradually build your perfect environment. And don't forget to share your creations with the community to inspire others!