Liteshell Alternatives
Liteshell is described as 'tiny windows shell (explorer.exe) replacement designed for slow PCs' and is an app in the OS & Utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Liteshell for Windows and Android. The best alternative is Cairo Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Liteshell are bbLean (Free, Open Source), WindowBlinds (Paid), BB4Win (Free, Open Source) and SharpEnviro (Free, Open Source).
- Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and advances current technology standards.
- 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. bbLean is based stylistically on the Blackbox window manager for the X Window System by Brad Hughes.
Discontinued
The project is no longer developed. Last version, 1.17.1, released in May 2009, can be still downloaded from the official website.
- 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 component of their flagship software suite, Object Desktop.
- 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 was discontinued in 2005 but various branches have been built from the source.
Discontinued
Latest release 2009, see http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/
- 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 desktop is replaced by a new and more powerful desktop environment.
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.
- Emerge Desktop is a replacement Windows "shell" (the desktop environment normally provided by Windows Explorer) for Windows 2000 and above.
Discontinued
Emerge Desktop is no longer maintained. Last version, 6.1.3, released in 2012, and the source code are still available on SourceForge
- 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, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese, Russian and Italian.
- GeoShell - The premier minimalist Windows shell replacement. It replaces the default Explorer interface. It features menu bars—“geoBars”—that can be dragged-and-dropped anywhere on the users screen.
Discontinued
The official website is no longer available. Last version, 4.11.10, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.
- SmartWindows streamlines the way you work. It is perfect for professionals looking to optimize the overall work experience or switch between projects. You can save display preferences for applications with the help of a few clicks.
- Customize Windows with additional styles with Curtains. Apply: Curtains works similarly to the modes that Microsoft has implemented. Any app that already supports the existing dark and light modes will automatically benefit from Curtains.