This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them

Period

–Visits

–Page views

–Clicks to vendors

–Time on page

–Reading now

Clicks to vendors, by tool

Top countries

Devices

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Spencer

Free#18 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software

Spencer: A focused free overlay for XP-style Start menu access, without Start button or taskbar controls. Ranked #18 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users wanting a free XP-style menu.

7.1/10Editor score

Visit Spencer

Spencer7.1 Visit Spencer

At a glance

Editor score
7.1 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Users wanting a free XP-style menu
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Supported Windows
Both
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free XP-style menu overlay for Windows 10 and 11
- Sorting, scrolling, and multiple-column layouts
- Direct access to Control Panel, Run, and admin command prompt
Where it doesn't
- Does not customize the Windows Start button
- Provides no taskbar controls
- No verified search feature

Our verdict on Spencer

Spencer is a free Windows utility for people who want a Windows XP-style Start menu on Windows 10 or Windows 11. It works as an overlay rather than replacing or modifying the Windows Start button. Users pin Spencer to the taskbar and can optionally assign a keyboard shortcut, making it suited to those who want a familiar menu layout without changing the underlying Windows Start experience.

Its strongest area is menu organization and system access. Spencer can show Start menu entries in scrolling or multiple-column layouts, with file and folder sorting controls for arranging content. It also provides direct access to the Control Panel, an administrator command prompt, the Run dialog, System context menu, and File Explorer. Windows, dark, light, and system themes add appearance options, while language selection provides another customization layer. These features make Spencer more than a visual replica: it combines the XP-style layout with shortcuts to several Windows utilities.

The trade-off is a narrow scope. Spencer does not customize the Windows Start button, offers no taskbar controls, and does not include verified search. Its keyboard activation is optional, but the main interaction remains through the pinned application and its overlay menu. Choose Spencer if a free XP-style menu, sorting, multiple columns, and direct system access cover your needs. Choose a broader Start menu customization tool instead if you need Start button changes, taskbar management, or search-centered navigation.

Your product? Our editors can test Spencer in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Spencer pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on the-sz.com

Spencer fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported Windows	Both
Replacement mode	Overlay
Start button controls	No
Custom search	Not verified
Taskbar controls	None
Saved profiles	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows
Support	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	the-sz.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Spencer

See all Spencer alternatives →

Used Spencer? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Spencer for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Title

Your review

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Pros (optional · one per line)

Cons (optional · one per line)

Your name (shown with your review)

Role (optional)

Company (optional)

How long have you used it?

I've used Spencer myself and this is my honest opinion — nobody paid or asked me to write it.

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Spencer is listed in our Start Menu Customization Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/spencer/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/spencer.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update