Windows 7 Shell Recommendation?

[AGrimReaper]

Does anyone here have any recommendations of decent shells to replace explorer? I was going to go with Steam Big Picture, but decided against it since its interface is pretty limited.

 

Primary Uses of This Shell:

Chrome and Steam, that's it.

[Satlen]

One does not just replace the windows shell. I think you are using the wrong term.

[AGrimReaper]

One does not just replace the windows shell. I think you are using the wrong term.

 

According to Google (Wiki):

In computing, a shell is a user interface for access to an operating system's services. In general, operating system shells use either acommand-line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI), depending on a computer's role and particular operation.

 

Generally this can be done easily in registry by adding a value (apposed to modification or changing a current value) named Shell and setting its location to a path in the File System. It temporarily replaces the default Windows Shell (or GUI for sticklers) until you remove said value from the registry. I want a different shell but am unsure which to pick. The default Windows 7 Shell is still more bloated than I need considering that I'm only really using two applications.

[techguru]

Does anyone here have any recommendations of decent shells to replace explorer? I was going to go with Steam Big Picture, but decided against it since its interface is pretty limited.

 

Primary Uses of This Shell:

Chrome and Steam, that's it.

I think you just want a new theme or maybe a new file manager

by the sounds of it

[AGrimReaper]

I think you just want a new theme or maybe a new file manager

by the sounds of it

 

Not really. Changing out the theme isn't the same as changing the main Shell.

[techguru]

Not really. Changing out the theme isn't the same as changing the main Shell.

yea I know

you wanna change explorer

but there isn't really replacements like that anymore since like the windows 98 and 2000 days

[techguru]

http://www.howtogeek.com/205770/the-best-alternative-file-managers-for-windows-mac-and-linux/

[techguru]

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/470-3-windows-explorer-extensions-replacements.html

[Satlen]

According to Google (Wiki):

 

Generally this can be done easily in registry by adding a value (apposed to modification or changing a current value) named Shell and setting its location to a path in the File System. It temporarily replaces the default Windows Shell (or GUI for sticklers) until you remove said value from the registry. I want a different shell but am unsure which to pick. The default Windows 7 Shell is still more bloated than I need considering that I'm only really using two applications.

 

This isnt a linux distro, you cant simply replace the entire shell. What you described was modifying it, not replacing it. Nothing exists that changes the entire gui. The only thing close to that is custom themes which you can find at deviant art or adding a start button to windows 8. Other than that, anything out there is just covering up the shell and not actually replacing it. That is about as exciting as it gets on windows.

[AGrimReaper]

This isnt a linux distro, you cant simply replace the entire shell. What you described was modifying it, not replacing it. Nothing exists that changes the entire gui. The only thing close to that is custom themes which you can find at deviant art or adding a start button to windows 8. Other than that, anything out there is just covering up the shell and not actually replacing it. That is about as exciting as it gets on windows.

 

*shrugs* Registry hacks are pretty fun. I already replaced my boot animation and Logon Background. I only really stick to windows because of things like GTA V and AC: BlackFlag.

[DarkEnergy]

Why customize it when you only use windows because of a few games. Just dual boot linux.

[AGrimReaper]

Why customize it when you only use windows because of a few games. Just dual boot linux.

 

Already do, with Debian.

[GoodBytes]

The thing you can do, is use: WindowsBlind (http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/)

And if you want a mix of Rainmeter. But those are skins.

To actually replace Windows look & feel, you need to replace explorer itself, shell and associated dll's, and Window Desktop Management.

To start, not a single replacement for the any of the listed exists, because it is a more than a pain in the ass to setup, can and probably will break software from working, highly be surprised to be superior in reliability and stability (remember that it will have to be able to handle file transfers, file collisions, file/folder permissions handling, and all that as well, and won't be able to use, well, explorer APIs to make life easier for the developer). And it will most likely break with a, or some, or many Windows updates, hence no one is daring to make any replacement for the components mentioned previously.

Alternatively, and I think this is what you want. A program that acts like a menu of sorts, like Steam Big Picture mode, that starts with Windows, for easy navigation.

I don't know any per se (that isn't a media center). You can maybe do something with rainmeter, but else then that, probably needs to be coded.