Classic Shell provides user interface elements intended to restore familiar features from past versions of Windows. It focuses on the Start Menu, File Explorer and Internet Explorer — three major components of the Windows shell. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of Classic Shell from the command line using both the EXE & MSI installers.
How to Install Classic Shell Silently
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
- Download & Copy the ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn - Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Classic Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Classic Shell |
| Vendor: | IvoSoft |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | See Uninstall Section Below |
| Download Link: | http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/ |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/classic-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
Classic Shell Silent Install (MSI) on 32-bit Systems
- Navigate to: http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
- Download & Copy the ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command to extract the 32-bit MSI:
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe extract32
- Press Enter
- Enter the following command to install the 32-bit MSI:
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Classic Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Classic Shell |
| Vendor: | IvoSoft |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Download Link: | http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/ |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/classic-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
Classic Shell Silent Install (MSI) on 64-bit Systems
- Navigate to: http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
- Download & Copy the ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command to extract the 64-bit MSI:
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe extract64
- Press Enter
- Enter the following command to install the 64-bit MSI:
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Classic Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Classic Shell |
| Vendor: | IvoSoft |
| Architecture: | x64 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn |
| Download Link: | http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/ |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/classic-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create a Classic Shell Installation Log File
The Classic Shell installers offer the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following command to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\ClassicShell-Install.log" |
Classic Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\ClassicShell-Install.log" |
Classic Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\ClassicShell-Install.log" |
Change the Classic Shell Default Installation Directory
You can also change the default installation directory by using the following command line parameters. In this example, I’m installing Classic Shell to “C:\Classic Shell”
Classic Shell (EXE)
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\ClassicShell |
Classic Shell (MSI) on 32-bit Systems
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\ClassicShell |
Classic Shell (MSI) on 64-bit Systems
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\ClassicShell |
Install only Classic Explorer
Classic Explorer adds a toolbar to Windows Explorer, replaces the copy UI and fixes some usability problems.
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Classic Explorer Only
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer |
Classic Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Explorer Only
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer |
Classic Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Explorer Only
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer |
Install only Classic Start Menu
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Classic Start Menu Only
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicStartMenu |
Classic Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Start Menu Only
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicStartMenu |
Classic Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Start Menu Only
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicStartMenu |
Installs only Classic IE
Classic IE lets you customize the title bar and the status bar of Internet Explorer.
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Classic IE Only
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicIE |
Classic Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic IE Only
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicIE |
Classic Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic IE Only
|
Exclude Classic Shell Update Checks
Classic Shell Silent Install (EXE) Excluding Classic Shell Update Checks
ClassicShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer,ClassicStartMenu,ClassicIE |
Classic Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) Excluding Classic Shell Update Checks
MsiExec.exe /i ClassicShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer,ClassicStartMenu,ClassicIE |
Classic Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) Excluding Classic Shell Update Checks
|
Suppress Settings Window on First Run & Select Classic1 as Default
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter the following set of commands:
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Classic1 /f |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" -exit |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" |
Suppress Settings Window on First Run & Select Classic2 as Default
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter the following set of commands:
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Classic2 /f |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" -exit |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" |
Suppress Settings Window on First Run & Select Win7 as Default
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter the following set of commands:
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Win7 /f |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" -exit |
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" |
How to Uninstall Classic Shell Silently
Check out the Classic Shell Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following commands:
| Version | Classic Shell Silent Uninstall String |
4.3.1 (32-bit) | MsiExec.exe /x {8A99142D-5D6E-40B6-AF88-8BD46F0C5CB4} /qn |
4.3.1 (64-bit) | MsiExec.exe /x {CABCE573-0A86-42FA-A52A-C7EA61D5BE08} /qn |
4.3.0 (32-bit) | MsiExec.exe /x {417502AF-ABF9-457B-AE32-940BEA8F4627} /qn |
4.3.0 (64-bit) | MsiExec.exe /x {383BB30A-B4A7-4666-9A83-22CFA8640097} /qn |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.