Alternative Shells/Desktops For Windows
Last Updated: 24 Mar 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
For those who have grown tired of the drab GUI provided
by Microsoft in earlier versions of Windows, here are
some alternatives which add both glamor and functionality.
Windows XP has a much cooler UI (which some people hate)
and supports complete skinning via Visual Styles and
Themes.
SHELL/DESKTOP REPLACEMENTS
• Aston Shell ............ http://www.astonshell.com/aston/
• geOShell ............... http://www.geoshell.com/
• HoverDesk .............. http://www.glabouni.com/hoverdesk/
• LiteStep ............... http://www.litestep.net/
• NextStart .............. http://www.winstep.net/
• Object Desktop ......... http://www.stardock.com/
• PureLS ................. http://www.purels.org/
• Serenade ............... http://www.courtah.net/
• WorkShelf .............. http://www.winstep.net/
STYLE XP
The easy way to change Themes under Windows XP is to
download StyleXP (shareware) so that you easily switch
between freeware Themes or Microsoft-signed Themes.
• StyleXP ................ http://www.tgtsoft.com/
SKINS & THEMES REPOSITORIES
• http://www.artuproar.com/
• http://www.customize.org/
• http://www.deskmod.com/
• http://www.deviantart.com/
• http://www.dotproject.org/
• http://www.freethemes.com/
• http://www.getskinned.org/
• http://www.neowin.net/
• http://www.skinbase.org/
• http://www.skinz.org/
• http://www.themexp.org/
• http://www.topthemes.com/
• http://www.velocityart/
• http://www.wincustomize.com/
• http://www.winxptheme.com/
MORE SHELLS, PLUS REVIEWS
• http://www.desktopian.org/
• http://www.shellcity.net/content10.htm
• http://www.lightstar1.com/
PERSONAL NOTES
• LiteStep is nice, but it has a few issues with Win2K
• Object Desktop is a full featured suite of modular
components, with a great deal of flexibility. A
little bit sluggish for the underpowered system.
• NextStart is very nice. I'm running it in conjunction
with Object Desktop, but what I'm really waiting for
is DesktopX or WorkShelf.
Object Desktop ......... http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/
WorkShelf .............. http://www.winstep.net/
• I'm betting that WorkShelf will be the more
comprehensive product, at least for me...
• Windows XP is completely skinnable, and you can obtain
skins at the repositories mentioned above.
