Cairo Shell

Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and advances current technology standards.

Free Open Source Windows

WindowBlinds

WindowBlinds is a computer program that allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. It has been developed by Stardock since 1998, and is the most popular...

Commercial Windows

BB4Win

BB4Win (Blackbox for Windows) is an alternative shell for Microsoft Windows. The program aims to emulate the look and feel of a Linux based desktop. The BB4Win project...

• Discontinued Latest release 2009, see http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/

Free Open Source Windows

LiteStep

LiteStep is a replacement desktop interface for Windows. The LiteStep Shell allows creation of custom desktop interfaces in ways that you find useful (and eye...

Free Windows

Emerge Desktop

Emerge Desktop is a replacement Windows "shell" (the desktop environment normally provided by Windows Explorer) for Windows 2000 and above. In order to replace...

• Discontinued Emerge Desktop is no longer maintained. Last version, 6.1.3, released in 2012, and the source code are still available on SourceForge

Free Open Source Windows

SharpEnviro

SharpEnviro (or SharpE) is an open source shell replacement system for Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. When using SharpEnviro the default Windows...

• Discontinued As of december 2011 the SharpEnviro project is no longer under active development. All files provided come without any warranty or support! It is uncertain if or how well the previously released versions of SharpEnviro will work with any new or updated Windows system after Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

Free Open Source Windows

Talisman Desktop

Talisman Desktop is a configurable Windows shell replacement introduced in 1997 by Lighttek Software. It is available in a number of languages including English, French...

Commercial Windows

SphereXP

The SphereXP is a 3D desktop replacement for Microsoft Windows. Taking the known concept of three-dimensional desktops to its own level. It offers a new way to organize...

• Discontinued Official website not accessible. Available here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/spherexp.html

Free Windows

GeoShell

GeoShell - The premier minimalist Windows shell replacement. It replaces the default Explorer interface. It features menu bars—“geoBars”—that can be dragged-and-dropped...

• Discontinued The official website is no longer available. Last version, 4.11.10, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.

Free Open Source Windows

Liteshell

tiny windows shell (explorer.exe) replacement designed for slow PCs. Is a minimalist's shell - no screen space is occupied by the shell. When you right-click on...

• Discontinued It's discontinued. Last update was 25th June 2008.

Free Windows