KDE Plasma

A unified environment for running and managing applications on different form factors like desktops, netbooks, tablets or smartphones.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD

VirtuaWin

VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize...

Free Open Source Windows PortableApps.com

bug.n

bug.n is a tiling window manager add-on for Microsoft Windows. It is written in the scripting language AutoHotkey. What it can do Provide layouts for resizing...

Free Open Source 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• Discontinued Emerge Desktop is no longer maintained.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

NERD tree

The NERD tree allows you to explore your filesystem and to open files and directories in Vim. It presents the filesystem to you in the form of a tree which you...

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Vim

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

bbLean

bbLean is the lean version of Blackbox for Windows. It tries to keep balance between features and complexity, to give you some efficient means within a compact shell. ...

• Discontinued The project is no longer developed. Last version, 1.17.1, released in May 2009, can be still downloaded from the official website.

Free Open Source 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

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

DeskSpace

DeskSpace is a 3D desktop visualisation tool, allowing you to seamlessly switch between 9 desktops. DeskSpace gives you more space for your windows and icons. You...

Commercial Windows

DeskHedron

DeskHedron is a tool which switch the desktop by using 3D GUI. *This software doesn't support multi-monitor environment. At 3D view you can switch the desktop by...

• Discontinued Latest version 2008, see http://tokyodownstairs.blogspot.com/2008/10/deskhedron.html

Free Windows

Vole Windows Expedition

Vole Windows Expedition is a new generation file manager, one-click to get all your files and folders ready in a nicely gallery format, a more graceful way to manage...

Freemium 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