Get Classic Start Menu Back in Windows 7 Using CWSM

There is no doubt, Windows 7 comes with lots of new features but its also true that some important functionality have been removed from Windows 7 like good old Classic start menu.

Classic start menu was very useful and easy to use but for some unknown reasons, Microsoft has removed it from Windows 7. Now if you want to get it back, you’ll need to take help of 3rd party software.

Today we are sharing a freeware “Classic Windows Start Menu” which can provide a similar Classic start menu in Windows 7. Following is a screenshot of CWSM in action:

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Classic_Windows_Start_Menu.png

As you can see, it looks very similar to Classic start menu. The most impressive thing about CWSM is that it uses Aero engine to render its interface so you get a glassy start menu which looks great.

Its a portable utility so you don’t need to install it. You can also customize it for your needs. For example, you can modify the text of menus, change background image, change left-side logo, change icons, etc. You can do all these things by modifying files present in its folder.

You can also make it more glassy by modifying “strings.xml” file and set “<MENU BACKGROUND PRESENT>Yes</>” to “<MENU BACKGROUND PRESENT>No</>”:

Customize_Classic_Windows_Start_Men.png

Once you do it, exit from CWSM by right-click on Start ORB (Start button) and click on “Yes” button in confirmation dialog box. Then run cwsm.exe again. Now it’ll look as following:

Classic_Windows_Start_Menu_without_.png

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There are also some BMP files in its folder: logoffback.bmp, ribbon.bmp, shutdownback.bmp which can be modified to change Log off dialog box, left-side logo and Shutdown dialog box background images respectively.

You can download it using following link:

Download Link

It seems the program is no longer available for download.

NOTE: It also works in Windows XP and Vista.

Thanks to our active reader “Bryan” for sharing this utility via email…

NOTE: You can also check other free tools to get Classic Start Menu back in Windows 7 at following link:

Ultimate Collection of the Best Free Tools to Get Classic Start Menu Back in Windows 7

Published in: Software, Windows 7

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. How do I change the mail classic mail beta. The help button there can not return to classic mail

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