Classic Shell is looking for testers

[Ivo]

Hi




I am getting close to releasing the next major version of Classic Shell. Some of the new features are:

• Cascading All Programs menu
• Dropdown menus for the Explorer toolbar
• Automatically show more details in Explorer operations

(see the attached screenshots)

Before the public release I want to have a closed beta to catch any major stability issues. I am looking for 16 volunteers to install and play with the new version.

Please send an email to <redacted> if you are interested. Include your system configuration (Windows7 or Vista or Windows Server, 32 or 64-bit, Home or Professional or Ultimate) and which theme you are using - Classic, Basic, Aero, or a custom theme. If you are selected, you will get an email with instructions to download and install the new version.

The closed beta will run for about 10 days. After that an official beta version will be released, which will be available for everybody.

Why would you want to participate? You will get an early view of some exciting new features and will get an opportunity to propose changes before the features are finalized.

Counting on your support
Ivo

 

[Ivo]

I am not accepting any more beta testers. There will be a public version by the end of this weekend. Check Source Forge in a few days.

 

[Kari]

Ivo, so now you can remove your email from original post. It's not only against forum rules, but can also cause an avalanche of junk mail.

Kari

 

[Ivo]

Thanks for the reminder, Kari. I included my email so people can contact me privately and not worry about showing their address in a public place. Of course there is no need for that anymore.

 

[Dwarf]

The reasoning behind requesting that you do not include your email address in your posts, and the reason why I have added this to the Forum Rules is for your own safety and to prevent spamming (remember, search bots and spiders trawl the sites). There is nothing preventing you giving your address to others, however we would advise that you use caution and only do this through the PM (Private Messaging) system.

 

[zamar21]

Hi Ivo,

I've a few questions about your program before installing it:

- can it create a separate Start Button inside current Start Menu or on the Task Bar instead of replacing Win7 Start Button?
- If I group all installed programs inside your Start Menu in software categories, can I do it such a way that program shortcuts will be auto uninstalled when that program is uninstalled, despite shortcuts location changed by grouping?
- If I group all programs into categories inside your Start Menu, will it be auto sinched with Win7 Start Menu Program filter (it collects shortcuts from All Users and User Start Menus), when new programs are installed?

I think, creating Program Categories is very important feature to group shortcuts and avoid clattering. Otherwise the advantages are slim. But programs Uninstall should not be affected, there should be no shortcut leftovers.

Basically, I want to group program shortcuts into categories, and the concern is, the shortcuts won't be deleted on their program Uninstall after grouping, and also your Start Menu won't match source Menu folders (assuming it creates duplicate Start Menu folders with all installed Program Shortcuts).

 

[Ivo]

* can it create a separate Start Button inside current Start Menu or on the Task Bar - No. The classic start menu will use the same button. However you can use different methods for opening it (Shift+click, middle-click, custom hotkeys, etc).

* If I group all installed programs inside your Start Menu in software categories... - No. Just like the normal Windows 7 start menu, the classic menu shows the contents of the Start Menu folders. No more, no less. If you move a shortcut from one place to another, the uninstaller will not know about it and can't delete it.

* If I group all programs into categories inside your Start Menu, will it be auto sinched with Windows 7 Start Menu Program filter - Yes. Both start menus will display the same shortcuts, however links in the same folder may be ordered differently (since each start menu maintains its own order).

 

[hLVE]

well, this program was great... until a windows update went through last week and disabled it from working...

the shell is gone, and the menu in the shell is grayed out

Windows 7 x64

 

[Ivo]

Take a look at this troubleshooting guide: Classic Shell: FAQ
Let me know if you still can't make it work. For the record, I'm using Windows 7 x64 with all updates, and I don't have any problems.

 

[mikedl]

Same here, Ivo. I love your Classic Shell and Classic Explorer. It is the BEST add-on for Windows 7 ever, IMO. Thank you for making this fantastic tool.

Did I mention I really, really like it?