Best StartIsBack++ Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to StartIsBack++? In this comparison, we take a closer look at StartIsBack++ alongside similar software solutions including StartIsBack++, Classic Shell, Open-Shell, PowerToys, Stardock Start8, DesktopOK, MyKeyFinder, Rainmeter, Glary Utilities, Windows 11-Installationsassistent and Windows SDK AddOn.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how StartIsBack++, Classic Shell, Open-Shell, PowerToys, Stardock Start8, DesktopOK, MyKeyFinder, Rainmeter, Glary Utilities, Windows 11-Installationsassistent and Windows SDK AddOn stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
License and Cost
 StartIsBack++
|
Paid software with a free 30-day trial, single personal license, family pack (up to 5 PCs). |
 Classic Shell
|
Free software with no official technical support. |
 Open-Shell
|
Free and open-source software. |
 PowerToys
|
Free and open-source software. |
 Stardock Start8
|
Paid software with a single-user license. |
 DesktopOK
|
Free software utility with no hidden fees. |
 MyKeyFinder
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Trial version available; full version is paid. |
 Rainmeter
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Free and open-source software. |
 Glary Utilities
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Free version available with paid Pro version upgrades. |
 Windows 11-Installationsassistent
|
Provided by Microsoft, free for Windows upgrade users. |
 Windows SDK AddOn
|
Free download provided by Microsoft; standalone SDK AddOn. |
Primary Functionality
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StartIsBack++
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Provides a familiar and customizable classic Start menu interface for Windows 8/8.1/10 systems. |
|
Classic Shell
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Offers a customizable classic Windows Start menu and File Explorer enhancements. |
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Open-Shell
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Provides a customizable Windows 7 style Start menu with additional features and community-driven improvements. |
|
PowerToys
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A set of utilities including window management (FancyZones), color picker, PowerRename, and more for enhanced productivity on Windows. |
|
Stardock Start8
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Customizable Start menu and Start button for Windows 8/8.1 with touch-screen device support. |
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DesktopOK
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Windows-only application to save and restore desktop icon layouts across multiple monitor configurations. |
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MyKeyFinder
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Recovers and manages license keys and serial numbers for installed software on Windows and Mac. |
|
Rainmeter
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Highly customizable desktop customization tool with skins and widgets to enhance the user's desktop environment. |
|
Glary Utilities
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System utilities suite for disk cleaning, registry cleaning, memory optimization, startup management, and system maintenance. |
|
Windows 11-Installationsassistent
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Windows 11 Installation Assistant tool to upgrade Windows 10 devices to Windows 11 with system compatibility checks. |
|
Windows SDK AddOn
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Collection of development tools and headers as an AddOn to the Windows SDK for building applications including DirectX technologies. |
Platform Compatibility
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StartIsBack++
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Compatible with Windows 8/8.1/10 systems. |
|
Classic Shell
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Compatible with multiple Windows versions including Windows 7, 8, and 10. |
|
Open-Shell
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Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 systems. |
|
PowerToys
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Designed for Windows 10 and above systems. |
|
Stardock Start8
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Supports Windows 8 and 8.1 versions, including touch-screen devices. |
|
DesktopOK
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Works on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems including older versions like Windows XP. |
|
MyKeyFinder
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Supports both Windows and Mac operating systems. |
|
Rainmeter
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Supports Windows operating systems with low-end system compatibility considerations. |
|
Glary Utilities
|
Designed for Windows operating systems; no mobile version available. |
|
Windows 11-Installationsassistent
|
Windows 10 devices upgrading to Windows 11; specific hardware requirements apply. |
|
Windows SDK AddOn
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For use with Windows SDK compatible versions; targeted at developers on Microsoft Windows platform. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how StartIsBack++ stacks up against StartIsBack++, Classic Shell, Open-Shell, PowerToys, Stardock Start8, DesktopOK, MyKeyFinder, Rainmeter, Glary Utilities, Windows 11-Installationsassistent and Windows SDK AddOn in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
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StartIsBack++
|
1.5MB |
|
Classic Shell
|
|
|
Open-Shell
|
7.9MB |
|
PowerToys
|
257.5MB |
|
Stardock Start8
|
10.4MB |
|
DesktopOK
|
|
|
MyKeyFinder
|
|
|
Rainmeter
|
8.7MB |
|
Glary Utilities
|
7.9MB |
|
Windows 11-Installationsassistent
|
4MB |
|
Windows SDK AddOn
|
61.2MB |
License
|
StartIsBack++
|
Commercial |
|
Classic Shell
|
Freeware |
|
Open-Shell
|
Shareware |
|
PowerToys
|
Open Source |
|
Stardock Start8
|
Shareware |
|
DesktopOK
|
Freeware |
|
MyKeyFinder
|
Freeware |
|
Rainmeter
|
Freeware |
|
Glary Utilities
|
Freeware |
|
Windows 11-Installationsassistent
|
Shareware |
|
Windows SDK AddOn
|
Shareware |