LiteStep Alternatives

LiteStep is described as 'Replacement desktop interface for Windows' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to LiteStep for Windows. The best LiteStep alternative is Cairo Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like LiteStep are BB4Win, bbLean, bug.n and SharpEnviro.

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LiteStep alternatives are mainly Desktop Environments but may also be Window Managers or File Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of LiteStep.
LiteStep iconLiteStep
  16
  • Free • Proprietary
  • ...

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 catching). LiteSteps modular structure enables the addition or...

More about LiteStep
More about LiteStep
LiteStep alternatives page was last updated Dec 30, 2019
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  1. Cairo Shell icon
    Cairo Shell icon

    Cairo Shell

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

    42 Cairo Shell alternatives
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1
    Cairo Shell screenshot 2
    +2
    Cairo Shell screenshot 3
    Cairo Shell iconLiteStep Icon

    Cairo Shell VS LiteStep

    Is Cairo Shell a good alternative to LiteStep?
     

    • Cairo Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to LiteStep.

    • Cairo Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to LiteStep.

    • Cairo Shell is Free and Open SourceLiteStep is Free and Proprietary
  2. BB4Win icon
    BB4Win icon

    BB4Win

     19 likes
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    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.

    22 BB4Win alternatives
    For those who prefer a not-so-minimal setup. If I tried to put 82 icons on my explorer desktop I doubt they'd fit in a single column

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    BB4Win Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Linux-based
    Minimalism doesn't mean ugly. Also an example of BB4Win scripting and the box to change your wallpaper
    Start menu freedom, accessible from anywhere you want it to be, containing whatever you want it to and it doesn't lag to load icons
    +1
    Example of a BBClean (BB4Win branch) on Win 7
    Discontinued

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

    BB4Win iconLiteStep Icon

    BB4Win VS LiteStep

    Is BB4Win a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  4. bbLean icon
    bbLean icon

    bbLean

     9 likes
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    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.

    13 bbLean alternatives
    bbLean screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    bbLean screenshot 1
    Discontinued

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

    bbLean iconLiteStep Icon

    bbLean VS LiteStep

    Is bbLean a good alternative to LiteStep?
     

  5. bug.n

     11 likes
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    bug.n is a tiling window manager add-on for Microsoft Windows. It is written in the scripting language AutoHotkey.

    80 bug.n alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    bug.n Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Tiling
    3.  Workspaces
    4.  Feed Reader
    LiteStep Icon

    bug.n VS LiteStep

    Is bug.n a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  6. SharpEnviro icon
    SharpEnviro icon

    SharpEnviro

     14 likes
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    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.

    23 SharpEnviro alternatives
    Default Setup

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    3.  Dark Mode
    Multiple toolbars
    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.

    SharpEnviro iconLiteStep Icon

    SharpEnviro VS LiteStep

    Is SharpEnviro a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  7. Emerge Desktop icon
    Emerge Desktop icon

    Emerge Desktop

     14 likes
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    Emerge Desktop is a replacement Windows "shell" (the desktop environment normally provided by Windows Explorer) for Windows 2000 and above. In order to replace Windows Explorer as a shell, it provides a system tray (the area that collects the icons collected at the...

    23 Emerge Desktop alternatives
    Emerge Desktop screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Emerge Desktop screenshot 1
    Emerge Desktop screenshot 2
    Discontinued

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

    Emerge Desktop iconLiteStep Icon

    Emerge Desktop VS LiteStep

    Is Emerge Desktop a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  9. Talisman Desktop icon
    Talisman Desktop icon

    Talisman Desktop

     5 likes
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    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.

    22 Talisman Desktop alternatives
    Talisman 3.0, theme: Carbon

    License model

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Talisman Desktop Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    Talisman 3.0, theme: Addline FS2
    Talisman Desktop iconLiteStep Icon

    Talisman Desktop VS LiteStep

    Is Talisman Desktop a good alternative to LiteStep?
     

    • Talisman Desktop is the most popular commercial alternative to LiteStep.

    • Talisman Desktop is Paid and ProprietaryLiteStep is Free and Proprietary
  10. DeskSpace icon
    DeskSpace icon

    DeskSpace

     5 likes
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    DeskSpace is a 3D desktop visualisation tool, allowing you to seamlessly switch between 9 desktops.

    14 DeskSpace alternatives
    DeskSpace screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    DeskSpace Features

    1.  Multiple desktops
    DeskSpace screenshot 1
    DeskSpace iconLiteStep Icon

    DeskSpace VS LiteStep

    Is DeskSpace a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  11. GeoShell icon
    GeoShell icon

    GeoShell

     3 likes
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    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. There are also desktop menus that can be triggered whenever a user clicks...

    21 GeoShell alternatives
    Example of GeoShell desktop

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    GeoShell Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Skinnable
    Discontinued

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

    GeoShell iconLiteStep Icon

    GeoShell VS LiteStep

    Is GeoShell a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  12. SphereXP icon
    SphereXP icon

    SphereXP

     3 likes
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    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 objects on the desktop such as icons and applications. It has been tried out by millions worldwide.

    14 SphereXP alternatives
    SphereXP screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SphereXP screenshot 1
    SphereXP screenshot 2
    Discontinued

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

    SphereXP iconLiteStep Icon

    SphereXP VS LiteStep

    Is SphereXP a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
  13. Liteshell icon
    Liteshell icon

    Liteshell

     2 likes
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    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 the desktop or press a hotkey, a menu provides access to your programs, documents, tasks and anything else you.

    10 Liteshell alternatives
    Liteshell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Liteshell screenshot 1
    Liteshell screenshot 2
    Discontinued

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

    Liteshell iconLiteStep Icon

    Liteshell VS LiteStep

    Is Liteshell a good alternative to LiteStep?
     
11 of 11 LiteStep alternatives