Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Microsoft

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

By Jack Wallen March 19, 2012, 6:47 AM PDT

Image
1
of 9

00_shell_fig.jpg
00_shell_fig.jpg
Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

Introduction

Introduction

ntSome users think that the Windows Explorer shell is a fine desktop. But if you’ve played around in the land of Linux for a while, that less-than-flexible Explorer interface may not work for you. One solution is to install a replacement Explorer shell. There are plenty of shells to choose from, some open source, some proprietary. Here’s a rundown of five of the most appealing choices.

n

ntNote: If you’d prefer to view this information as a blog post, check out this entry in our Five Apps blog.

n

ntPhoto: iStockphoto.com/TopStep2005TopStep2005

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

Aston Shell

Aston Shell

ntAston Shell is one of the most feature-rich of all the replacements. With plenty of add-ins, plug-ins, themes, and widgets to play with, the Aston desktop can become pretty much anything you like.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

SharpEnviro

SharpEnviro

ntSharpEnviro may remind you of Classic GNOME. It’s designed to provide a flexible, user-friendly desktop shell that pleases both new and advanced users.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

SharpEnviro

SharpEnviro

ntShareEnviro will especially appeal to users who want to be able to customize every aspect of their desktop. This shell is open source, so it’s free of charge.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

WindowBlinds

WindowBlinds

ntWindowBlinds, by Stardock, used to be a full-blown desktop shell replacement, but now it’s a tool for improving the look and feel of the Windows 7 shell.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

WindowBlinds

WindowBlinds

ntYou won’t be adding widgets and new and improved menus with WindowBlinds. But the enhanced appearance of the Windows 7 interface can be fairly dramatic. This shell costs $19.95

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

bbLean

bbLean

ntbbLean is one of two BlackBox clones we’ll look at here. BlackBox was always considered one of the lightest, fastest window managers in the Linux environment. So if you want a desktop shell for Windows that is incredibly fast and minimal, bbLean is a great choice.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

bbLean

bbLean

ntbbLean also offers hotkeys, window skinning, the slit, the taskbar, the icon box, and the mouse menu. Lean and fast. It’s open source, so it’s free of charge.

Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

Xoblite

Xoblite

ntXoblite is also a BlackBox clone for Windows. It offers a few more advanced features than bbLean, such as plugins, some extra tools, and a font pack. The default Xoblite desktop is similar to that of bbLean, but out of the box it looks more polished and advanced.

  • Microsoft
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell

    Your email has been sent

Share: Five cool alternatives to the Windows 7 desktop shell
Image of Jack Wallen
By Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.
  • Account Information

    Contact Jack Wallen

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Jack's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×