Choose components by the interface you want to change. Open-Shell Menu handles Start; Classic Explorer adds Explorer-specific features; the update component checks for releases. A smaller installation is easier to diagnose than enabling every component without a purpose.
What to do
- List the change you need: a classic Start menu, an Explorer toolbar, or both. Do not treat a Windows 7-era feature description as a promise that every feature appears on a recent Windows 11 build.
- Start the installer and open its feature selection after the license screen. Expand the component tree and review each selected item before continuing.
- For a Start-menu-only setup, keep the menu component and remove optional Explorer or legacy Internet Explorer features from the selection. Decide separately whether to keep update notifications.
- To revise an existing installation, rerun the matching installer and choose Change. Use setup rather than deleting DLLs from Program Files.
Check the result
Confirm the chosen settings shortcuts appear and that the unused component is not part of the installed feature set. Exercise the specific interface that motivated the change.
Limits & precautions
Classic IE is a legacy component, not an Edge customization tool. Component selection is not a substitute for checking compatibility with the Windows build on the PC.
Questions & answers
Is Classic Explorer required for Open-Shell Menu?
No. They are separate selectable components.
Can I add a component later?
Use the installer maintenance options to change the installation rather than manually copying program files.
Sources & scope
Documentation checked October 30, 2026. These instructions are documentation-led, not a claim of hands-on testing on your Windows build.