Open-Shell Silent Install (How-To Guide)

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Open-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 Open-Shell from the command line using both the EXE & MSI installers.

How to Install Open-Shell Silently

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE)

  1. Navigate to: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
  2. Download & Copy the OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  3. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  4. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  5. Enter the following command: OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn
  6. Press Enter

After a few moments you will find Open-Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:Open-Shell
Vendor:The Open-Shell Team
Architecture:x86_x64
Installer Type:EXE
Silent Install Switch:OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn
Silent Uninstall Switch:See Uninstall Section Below
Download Link:https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/open-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/
Detection Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-open-shell-powershell/

Open-Shell Silent Install (MSI) on 32-bit Systems

  1. Navigate to: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
  2. Download & Copy the OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  3. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  4. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  5. Enter the following command to extract the 32-bit MSI:
    • OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe extract32
  6. Press Enter
  7. Enter the following command to install the 32-bit MSI:
    • MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn
  8. Press Enter

After a few moments you will find Open-Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:Open-Shell
Vendor:The Open-Shell Team
Architecture:x86
Installer Type:MSI
Silent Install Switch:MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn
Silent Uninstall Switch:MsiExec.exe /x OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn
Repair Command:MsiExec.exe /fa OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn
Download Link:https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/open-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/
Detection Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-open-shell-powershell/

Open-Shell Silent Install (MSI) on 64-bit Systems

  1. Navigate to: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
  2. Download & Copy the OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  3. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  4. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  5. Enter the following command to extract the 64-bit MSI:
    • OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe extract64
  6. Press Enter
  7. Enter the following command to install the 64-bit MSI:
    • MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn
  8. Press Enter

After a few moments you will find Open-Shell entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:Open-Shell
Vendor:The Open-Shell Team
Architecture:x64
Installer Type:MSI
Silent Install Switch:MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn
Silent Uninstall Switch:MsiExec.exe /x OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn
Repair Command:MsiExec.exe /fa OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn
Download Link:https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/open-shell-install-and-uninstall-powershell/
Detection Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-open-shell-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 Open-Shell Installation Log File

The Open-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.

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Logging

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\OpenShell-Install.log"

Open-Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\OpenShell-Install.log"

Open-Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\OpenShell-Install.log"

Change the Open-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 Open-Shell to “C:\Open-Shell”

Open-Shell (EXE)

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\Open-Shell

Open-Shell (MSI) on 32-bit Systems

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\Open-Shell

Open-Shell (MSI) on 64-bit Systems

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn APPLICATIONFOLDER=C:\Open-Shell

Install only Classic Explorer

Classic Explorer adds a toolbar to Windows Explorer, replaces the copy UI and fixes some usability problems.

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Classic Explorer Only

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer

Open-Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Explorer Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer

Open-Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic Explorer Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer

Install only Start Menu

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Start Menu Only

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=StartMenu

Open-Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Start Menu Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=StartMenu

Open-Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Start Menu Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=StartMenu

Installs only Classic IE

Classic IE lets you customize the title bar and the status bar of Internet Explorer.

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE) with Classic IE Only

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicIE

Open-Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic IE Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicIE

Open-Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Classic IE Only

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicIE

Exclude Open-Shell Update Checks

Open-Shell Silent Install (EXE) Excluding Open-Shell Update Checks

OpenShellSetup_x_y_z.exe /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer,StartMenu,ClassicIE

Open-Shell 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) Excluding Open-Shell Update Checks

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup32_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer,StartMenu,ClassicIE

Open-Shell 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) Excluding Open-Shell Update Checks

MsiExec.exe /i OpenShellSetup64_x_y_z.msi /qn ADDLOCAL=ClassicExplorer,StartMenu,ClassicIE

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\OpenShell\StartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Classic1 /f
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.exe" -exit
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.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\OpenShell\StartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Classic2 /f
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.exe" -exit
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.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\OpenShell\StartMenu" /v MenuStyle_Default /t REG_SZ /d Win7 /f
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.exe" -exit
"C:\Program Files\Open-Shell\StartMenu.exe"

How to Uninstall Open-Shell Silently

Check out the following posts for a scripted solution:

Open-Shell Install and Uninstall (PowerShell)
Open-Shell Silent Uninstall (PowerShell)
  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter one of the following commands:
VersionOpen-Shell Silent Uninstall String
4.4.170 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {695870A1-1901-4921-9461-7B5CA76638F6} /qn
4.4.170 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {F07C0CF2-6021-403A-99CA-1164340B09FB} /qn
4.4.169 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {59895A2E-ACF3-4775-84EC-EF6EFB2D9655} /qn
4.4.169 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {313D2BD7-C719-4A0C-A39B-21B383219402} /qn
4.4.160 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {5F9C59B1-FE7A-4493-A093-C55A03EB4D11} /qn
4.4.160 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {F4B6EE58-F183-4B0D-930B-4480673C0F5B} /qn
4.4.152 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {833CF6CA-C666-4DD1-9295-5CD80AAAB89F} /qn
4.4.152 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {8D30DB96-8AB6-4C52-B5C7-38EDB5FE2FD7} /qn
4.4.142 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {4E189EE8-781E-4063-B5D7-E34879103448} /qn
4.4.142 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {1CAB353D-D3F9-4C5D-A305-33D7BF270F1B} /qn
4.4.131 (32-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {CB81456D-7E4B-4F06-A216-BA7B4ABD9316} /qn
4.4.131 (64-bit)MsiExec.exe /x {FD722BB1-4960-455F-89C6-EFAEB79527EF} /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.