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Desktop Shell Replacement
This is a list of software that provides an alternative graphical user interface for Microsoft Windows operating systems. The technical term for this interface is a ''Shell (computing), shell''. Windows' standard user interface is the Windows shell; Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1x have a different shell, called Program Manager. The programs in this list do not restyle the Windows shell, but replace it; therefore, they look and function differently, and have different configuration options. See also * Comparison of Start menu replacements for Windows 8 * Comparison of X Window System desktop environments * Desktop environment * History of the graphical user interface * Microsoft Bob * Removal of Internet Explorer References External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Alternative shells for Windows Desktop shell replacement Windows-only software, * Computing-related lists ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Software
Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital computers in the mid-20th century. Early programs were written in the machine language specific to the hardware. The introduction of high-level programming languages in 1958 allowed for more human-readable instructions, making software development easier and more portable across different computer architectures. Software in a programming language is run through a compiler or Interpreter (computing), interpreter to execution (computing), execute on the architecture's hardware. Over time, software has become complex, owing to developments in Computer network, networking, operating systems, and databases. Software can generally be categorized into two main types: # operating systems, which manage hardware resources and provide services for applicat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Windows 11
Windows 11 is a version of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system, released on October 5, 2021, as the successor to Windows 10 (2015). It is available as a free upgrade for devices running Windows 10 that meet the #System requirements, Windows 11 system requirements. A Windows Server counterpart, Windows Server 2022, Server 2022 was also released in 2021 and was updated to Windows Server 2025, Server 2025 in 2024. Windows 11 is the first major version of Windows without a corresponding mobile edition, following the discontinuation of Windows 10 Mobile. Windows 11 introduced a redesigned Windows shell influenced by elements of the canceled Windows 10X project, including a centered Start menu, a separate "Widgets" panel replacing live tiles, and new window management features. It also incorporates gaming technologies from the Xbox Series X and Series S, such as Auto high-dynamic-range video, HDR and DirectStorage on supported hardware. The Chromium (web browser), Chromium-base ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
NewWave
NewWave is a discontinued object-oriented graphical desktop environment and office productivity tool for PCs running early versions of Microsoft Windows (beginning with 2.0). It was developed by Hewlett-Packard and introduced commercially in 1988. It was used on the HP Vectras and other IBM-compatible PCs running Windows. From a user perspective NewWave ran on top of Windows and completely replaced the standard Windows Desktop and Program Manager user interface with its own object-oriented desktop interface. HP promoted NewWave until the release of Windows 95, at which time further development of the product ceased due to incompatibility with the new operating system. The NewWave GUI (together with the contemporaneous NeXTSTEP GUI) introduced the shaded "3-D look and feel" that was later widely adopted. HP encouraged independent software vendors to produce versions of applications which took advantage of NewWave functionality, allowing their data to be handled as objects in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Packard Bell Navigator
Packard Bell Navigator is an alternative shell for the Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 operating systems that shipped with Packard Bell computers in the mid 1990s. The shell was designed to be simpler to use for computer novices by representing applications as objects in a virtual home, similar to Microsoft Bob and At Ease. The software was originally developed by a company called Ark Interface, which was acquired by Packard Bell in 1994."David Nason's Experience LinkedIn It was possible for Navigator to function on non-Packard Bell Windows PCs. Design and functionality Most pre-1995 versions contained a GUI very similar to Apple Computer's At Ease, but without the folders. Unlike At Ease, programs were grouped in sections such as " Microsoft DOS", "Microsoft Windows", "Service & Support", and "Software". The "Software" section was the only section users could customise and modify program icons, paths, and links. The above sections appeared as icons at startup. Navigator was a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MIT License
The MIT License is a permissive software license originating at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 1980s. As a permissive license, it puts very few restrictions on reuse and therefore has high license compatibility. Unlike copyleft software licenses, the MIT License also permits reuse within proprietary software, provided that all copies of the software or its substantial portions include a copy of the terms of the MIT License and also a copyright notice. In 2015, the MIT License was the most popular software license on GitHub, and was still the most popular in 2025. Notable projects that use the MIT License include the X Window System, Ruby on Rails, Node.js, Lua (programming language), Lua, jQuery, .NET, Angular (web framework), Angular, and React (JavaScript library), React. License terms The MIT License has the identifier MIT in the SPDX License List. It is also known as the "#Ambiguity and variants, Expat License". It has the following terms: Co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Norton Desktop
Norton Commander (NC) is a discontinued prototypical orthodox file manager (OFM), written by John Socha and released by Peter Norton Computing (later acquired in 1990 by the NortonLifeLock, Symantec corporation). NC provides a text-based user interface for managing files on top of MS-DOS. It was officially produced between 1986 and 1998. The last MS-DOS version of Norton Commander, 5.51, was released on July 1, 1998. A related product, ''Norton Desktop'', a graphical Shell (computing), shell for MS-DOS and Windows, succeeded Norton Commander. It came in two variants, ''Norton Desktop for DOS'' and ''Norton Desktop for Windows''. Background John Socha started work on Norton Commander in 1984; at the time, he called it "Visual DOS" or "VDOS". Norton Commander was easy to use because it had a constant view of two file manipulation objects at once. After starting the program the user sees two panels with file lists. Each panel can be easily configured to show information about ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
LiteStep
LiteStep is a Windows Shell replacement for Windows 9x and up, licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). LiteStep replaces the Windows Shell which provides access to the graphical user interface on Windows-based computers. Depending on the theme used, it can replace or remove shell elements, such as the start menu and taskbar. It can also be used to create informational-type displays. Aside from the core executable, LiteStep is made up of modules, some of which are included with the initial installation. Other modules, which a theme may require to function properly, are automatically downloaded. The modules and core provide users with the ability to create anything from minimal environments, to elaborate and heavily scripted desktops. Customizations are provided in the form of themes, which may be created or modified with a text editor. A theme for LiteStep is a collection of configurations, scripts, and/or images which are distributed in a file with the zi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Classic Shell
Classic Shell is a computer program for Microsoft Windows that provides user interface elements intended to restore familiar features from past versions of Windows. It focuses on the Start menu, File Explorer and Internet Explorer – three major components of the Windows shell although it also does some minor tweaks for the Windows Taskbar. In particular, it can serve as a Start menu replacement for Windows 8 and Windows 10 systems. Developed by Ivo Beltchev, it was first released in 2009, and has been downloaded nearly 40 million times by the end of 2024. Development by Beltchev has ceased, and the project's source code has been released. Development has been picked up by volunteers on GitHub under the name Open-Shell."Welcome to Open-Shell – Classic Shell Reborn" |
PC Tools (software)
PC Tools is a collection of software utilities for DOS developed by Central Point Software. History of development The original PC Tools package was first developed as a suite of utilities for DOS, released for retail in 1985 for $39.95. With the introduction of version 4.0, the name was changed to PC Tools Deluxe, and the primary interface became a colorful graphical shell (previously the shell resembled PC BOSS and was monochrome.) By version 7.0 of the package in 1991 several Windows programs had been added to it. Though the 7.0 version sold well, it was criticised in computer trade publications for being overcomplicated and riddled with bugs, and updated with the 7.1 version. It was widely considered to have been rushed to publication, despite the objections of many of Central Point Software's employees. PC Tools PRO (Version 9) for DOS was the last stable version released by Central Point Software before acquisition. In June 1994 Central Point was acquired by their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calmira
Calmira is an alternate shell available for Windows 3.1x and up that has an appearance resembling Windows 95. A version named Calmira Longhorn is not compatible with Windows Vista, but emulates some of the visual features of that operating system. The shell is more than a simple cosmetic upgrade, however. Much of the functionality of later 32-bit shells has been incorporated into the Calmira software. The shell has a start menu, a task bar and a desktop that all function like those found in the Explorer Desktop of later 32-bit Windows operating systems. Development The Calmira shell was developed in Borland Delphi 1.0, an Object Pascal Object Pascal is an extension to the programming language Pascal (programming language), Pascal that provides object-oriented programming (OOP) features such as Class (computer programming), classes and Method (computer programming), methods. T ... based programming environment by Borland. Because the Windows 3.x environment is virtually ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apache License
The Apache License is a permissive free software license written by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). It allows users to use the software for any purpose, to distribute it, to modify it, and to distribute modified versions of the software under the terms of the license, without concern for royalties. The ASF and its projects release their software products under the Apache License. The license is also used by many non-ASF projects. History Beginning in 1995, the Apache Group (later the Apache Software Foundation) released successive versions of the Apache HTTP Server. Its initial license was essentially the same as the original 4-clause BSD license, with only the names of the organizations changed, and with an additional clause forbidding derivative works from bearing the Apache name. In July 1999, the Berkeley Software Distribution accepted the argument put to it by the Free Software Foundation and retired their ''advertising clause'' (clause 3) to form the new 3-clau ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
