Spencer review
A focused free overlay for XP-style Start menu access, without Start button or taskbar controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Spencer pros and cons
- 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
Spencer fact sheet, pricing and score →
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