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ViStart

ViStart replaces the Windows Start menu with a configurable menu styled after Windows 7.

Place
#24 of 39
Score
5.9
ViStart's website

What ViStart is

ViStart replaces the Windows Start menu with a configurable menu styled after Windows 7. It is free for Windows, with a free plan and no free trial. Users can pin programs, search files, and browse installed apps. Search uses an index rather than scanning the disk with each keystroke. The menu includes 13 skins, with options to install community-made skins or create one, and users can choose a custom Start button orb. A control panel provides access to settings without registry edits. The maker lists support for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, and says Microsoft Store apps appear in All Programs and search with their real icons. ViStart lists native interface translations in nine languages. Its maker says it has no account, license check, analytics, or phone-home behavior. Help and community contributions are available through Discord and GitHub; the maker cautions that support replies may take time.

Good

  • Free plan with no sign-up or bundled extras.
  • Thirteen included skins, plus community and user-created skins.
  • Indexed search covers files and programs.
  • Settings are available without registry edits.
  • Store apps appear with real icons in Windows 11 search.

Watch out

  • Windows-only platform support.
  • Discord replies may not be fast.
  • No free trial is listed.

Who it suits

ViStart suits Windows users who want a configurable, Windows 7-style Start menu with indexed search and customizable skins. Its listed Windows support spans XP through 11.

Verdict

ViStart offers a free Start-menu replacement with skin, orb, and search customization. Consider the possibility of slow Discord replies if you need support.

Plans and prices

From ViStart's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
ViStartFreeFree · no sign-up · no bundled extras

The facts

Each one read from ViStart's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Configuration
A control panel exposes ViStart settings without requiring registry edits.checked 3 Oct 2026
Indexed search
Its file and program search builds an index instead of scanning the disk on every keystroke.checked 3 Oct 2026
Other recent fixes
The August 2026 release notes describe restored jumplists and right-click file behavior on Windows 10 and 11, plus improved placement on scaled displays.checked 3 Oct 2026
Privacy
The maker says ViStart does not phone home and has no account, license check, or analytics.checked 3 Oct 2026
Purpose
ViStart replaces the Windows Start menu with a configurable Windows 7-style menu.checked 3 Oct 2026
Search and navigation
It lets users pin programs, search files, and browse all apps.checked 3 Oct 2026
Skins
Thirteen skins ship with ViStart, and users can install community skins or write their own.checked 3 Oct 2026
Source availability
The maker links the ViStart VB6 codebase on GitHub and says the .NET port is actively developed with community contributions.checked 3 Oct 2026
Start button
ViStart supports a custom start button, called the orb, with default options included.checked 3 Oct 2026
Support
The maker points users to Discord for help, bug reports, and feature ideas, and says replies may not be fast.checked 3 Oct 2026
Translations
The maker lists native UI translations in English, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Russian, Korean, Chinese, and Dutch.checked 3 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
2007checked 28 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Supported Windows versions
The maker says ViStart works on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11.checked 3 Oct 2026
Windows 11 apps
The August 2026 release notes say Microsoft Store apps appear in All Programs and search with their real icons.checked 3 Oct 2026

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