Open Shell Development Roadmap
Track our progress, explore upcoming features, and help shape the future of Open Shell by voting on new capabilities.
2025 Development Strategy
Our focus in 2025 is on four key pillars to make Open Shell more powerful, customizable, and future-proof.
Performance
Dramatically improve startup times and reduce memory usage through code optimization and modern techniques.
UI Framework
Build a next-generation UI framework with high DPI support, animations, and enhanced theming capabilities.
Integration
Improve compatibility with Windows 11 and enhance integration with modern cloud services and applications.
Smart Features
Introduce AI-assisted search, intelligent menu organization, and contextual suggestions - all privacy-focused.
Current Development Status
Here's a snapshot of where we stand in our 2025 roadmap journey.
Overall Roadmap Progress
Key Development Metrics
2025 Quarterly Milestones
Our development team is working on these key milestones throughout 2025.
Q1: Windows 11 Interface Enhancement
Our first quarter focuses on improving compatibility with Windows 11 and delivering a seamless classic experience with modern features.
- Start Menu redesign with enhanced search capabilities
- Windows 11 context menu integration
- High-DPI screen optimization
Q2: Customization Framework 2.0
A revolutionary new framework allowing deeper customization of Windows interface elements with a simple drag-and-drop UI.
- Live preview theme editor with color wheel
- Community theme gallery and contributions
- Custom icon packs with transparency support
Q3: AI-Powered User Experience
Introducing intelligent suggestions and adaptive interface elements that learn from your usage patterns.
Privacy First: All AI processing happens locally on your device. No data is sent to cloud servers, ensuring your usage patterns and personal data remain private.
- Smart program suggestions based on usage
- Context-aware search with natural language
- Adaptive interface based on time and activity
Q4: Performance Revolution
Rebuilding the core architecture for lightning-fast performance, even on older hardware configurations.
- Complete rewrite of core component loading
- Multithreaded resource loading for faster startup
Help Shape Open Shell's Future
Vote on proposed features to help our team prioritize development efforts.
Community Feature Voting
Your votes directly influence our development priorities for the next release.
Enhanced File Explorer Integration
Deeply integrate with the Windows File Explorer for a more consistent experience.
Dark Mode Support for All Components
Comprehensive dark mode for all Open Shell elements with automatic OS theme detection.
Advanced Search with File Content Indexing
Search not just file names but also content within documents, with fast indexing and results.
Cloud Drive Integration
Seamlessly access OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox files directly from the Start Menu.
Multi-Monitor Taskbar Enhancement
Independent taskbars for each monitor with customizable settings per display.
Join Our Development Community
Contribute more than just votes - help us build the future of Open Shell.
Stay Updated on Our Progress
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Roadmap FAQs
Common questions about our development process and roadmap.
How often is the roadmap updated?
We update our public roadmap on a monthly basis, with more significant updates at the end of each quarter. Major changes to the roadmap are always announced on our blog and social media channels.
Are the release dates guaranteed?
While we strive to meet all projected release dates, software development can be unpredictable. Our quarterly targets represent our best estimates, but individual features may be released earlier or later depending on development progress.
How is feature voting used in planning?
Feature votes are one of several inputs into our planning process. The development team considers community votes, technical feasibility, long-term strategy, and resource constraints when prioritizing work. Features with high vote counts are given serious consideration but aren't automatically implemented.
How can I contribute to the roadmap?
Beyond voting on features, you can contribute by submitting detailed feature requests, participating in beta testing, providing feedback on early releases, and joining development discussions on GitHub and our community forums.
Will any features from the roadmap be available as previews?
Yes! We regularly release preview builds with in-progress features for community testing. These previews help us gather valuable feedback and catch issues before formal releases. Join our beta testing program to get early access to these builds.
Get the Latest Release Today
Don't wait for future features - Open Shell is already packed with powerful capabilities.
Download NowFree • Open Source • Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 compatible