Download Open Shell

Get the latest version of Open Shell and bring back the classic Windows experience to your modern operating system.

Important Compatibility Warning

Open Shell is not compatible with Windows for ARM.

Installing it on Windows for ARM (such as on Apple Silicon Macs using Parallels Desktop) can cause login issues after reboot. Users should refrain from installing it on these systems.

Latest Stable Release

Download the official stable release of Open Shell.

Open Shell 4.4.170

Released: March 15, 2023

  • Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 compatible
  • Full installer with all components
  • Open-Shell Menu, Classic Explorer, and Classic IE
Download Now

Installer Size: ~8 MB

Pre-Release Versions

Try out the latest features and improvements before they're officially released. These builds may contain bugs.

View Pre-Releases

Source Code

Access the Open Shell source code to contribute to development or build from source yourself.

GitHub Repository

Installation Guide

Follow these steps to install Open Shell on your system.

  1. 1

    Download the installer

    Get the latest Open Shell installer from the download link above.

  2. 2

    Run the installer

    Right-click the installer file and select"Run as administrator" for the best installation experience.

    Administrator privileges are required to install system-level components.

  3. 3

    Choose components

    Select which components you want to install:

    • Open-Shell Menu (Start Menu replacement)
    • Classic Explorer (Explorer enhancements)
    • Classic IE (Internet Explorer enhancements)

    You can select all or just the ones you need.

  4. 4

    Complete installation

    Follow the remaining on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

    A system restart may be recommended after installation, especially on Windows 8 and later.

  5. 5

    Initial setup

    The first time you open the Start Menu after installation, the Open Shell configuration tool will appear.

    Choose your preferred Start Menu style and adjust settings to your liking.

Previous Versions

Need an older version? You can download previous releases of Open Shell below.

Version Release Date Size Download
Version 4.4.195 Jan 4, 2024 12.6 MB Download
Version 4.4.194 Dec 4, 2023 12.5 MB Download
Version 4.4.184 Dec 24, 2022 12.4 MB Download
Version 4.4.174 Aug 21, 2022 12.3 MB Download
Version 4.4.170 May 27, 2022 12.3 MB Download
Version 4.4.160 Oct 15, 2021 12.2 MB Download
Version 4.4.152 Feb 2, 2021 12.1 MB Download
Version 4.4.142 Jul 31, 2020 12.0 MB Download
Version 4.4.131 Nov 7, 2019 11.9 MB Download
Version 4.4.126 Sep 26, 2019 11.8 MB Download
View Complete Version History

Language Support

Open Shell supports multiple languages through language packs.

Temporary Translation Solution

To use Open Shell in your preferred language, follow these steps:

  1. 1

    Download the language DLL

    Get the appropriate language DLL file for your language from the Language Packs section of the GitHub releases page.

  2. 2

    Place the DLL file in one of these locations:

    Open-Shell installation folder

    OR

    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\OpenShell\Languages

    The second option allows for multi-language support.

  3. 3

    Select the language in settings

    Open the Open Shell Menu Settings, go to the"General Settings" tab, and select your language from the dropdown menu.

View Available Language Packs

Need Help?

Check out our documentation and FAQ for more information about Open Shell.

Documentation

Detailed instructions on installation, configuration, and using all features of Open Shell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about downloading, installing, and using Open Shell.

Need Help with Installation?

Visit our community channels for support or check out the documentation for detailed guides.

View Documentation Join Community