正在为Windows(Windows)寻找一些好的desktop/shell replacement程序？对于那些觉得需要定制的人来说，Windows shell的替代 shell是一种可能的解决方案。
那么究竟什么是外壳替换(shell replacement)？它基本上是一个与Windows集成并替换默认 shell(default shell)的程序。Shell 是用于运行程序或查看文件等的GUI 界面。(GUI interface)
通过更换外壳，您可以完全改变GUI的外观(look and feel)。通常在更换Windows shell时，用户会寻找比Windows提供的更多的(Windows)控制和自定义选项(control and customization options)。
此外，许多 shell 最终使用的资源比默认 shell(default shell)少。曾经有很多不同的shell 替换(shell replacement)程序，但无论出于何种原因，几乎所有程序都停止了开发。
相反，现在似乎有更多的桌面定制实用程序而不是 shell 替换。我还将提到一些用于自定义Windows 10 GUI的最流行的程序。
在本文中，我将列出活动和停滞的项目，它们是Windows的最佳替代 shell 。如果您不喜欢它们，所有外壳都可以轻松卸载，这很好。
CarioShell（主动）
CarioShell是唯一一款外观现代且活跃的Windows shell替代方案，可让您从桌面更快地访问文件和程序。
它使您的Windows 桌面(Windows desktop)看起来更像Mac OS X 桌面(Mac OS X desktop)。它不是高度可定制的或类似的东西，但它确实为您的桌面提供了独特的外观。
经典壳牌（停顿）
Classic Shell一直活跃到 2017 年底，但开发人员在长达 8 年之后停止了它的工作。希望有人能帮他拿回它，因为它绝对是更好的外壳替代品之一。
顾名思义，它可以赋予 Windows 旧版本的经典外观。它也是高度可定制的，如果您要替换整个Windows shell ，这很重要。由于上一个稳定版本是在 2017 年，它在Windows 10、8、7(Windows 10)等中仍然可以正常工作。
出现桌面（停止）
(Emerge Desktop)在 2015 年停止开发之前，Emerge Desktop 可能是最流行的Windows 替代shell 之一。它取代了(Windows replacement)Windows Explorer、任务栏、开始按钮(start button)和几乎所有其他东西。
Sharpenviro（停顿）
另一个不错的 shell 替代品是Sharpenviro。它适用于Windows XP、Vista和 7。您可以创建多个类似于Windows 任务栏的工具栏(Windows taskbar)，但您可以自定义它们，它们还可以包括实时信息，如监控CPU、做笔记、获取天气报告等。
您还可以自定义几乎所有内容，这是一个好的外壳替换程序(shell replacement program)的标志。Sharpenviro还支持多台显示器，这在当今非常重要，因为很多人都有不止一台显示器。您还可以创建虚拟桌面来管理您的桌面窗口。
LiteStep（停滞）
LiteStep 是另一个很棒的 Windows PC替代桌面(replacement desktop)。只需安装它，然后开始安装主题、脚本或模块。您可以通过多种方式自定义您的桌面，而且这些都是开源和免费的。
将LiteStep与某些模块一起使用需要比其他一些程序更多的技术经验，但如果您使用它，它几乎可以做任何您想做的事情。
LiteStep已经存在了很长时间，最新版本是在 2011 年，所以已经有一段时间了。它可能不适用于Windows 10。但是，主题和模块仍在由用户更新/创建。
护身符桌面（停止）
Talisman Dekstop是一个商业外壳替代品(shell replacement)，它有大量的主题可供您下载，以完全自定义您的桌面环境(desktop environment)。您可以创建多级桌面、桌面面板等等。
稍加自学，即可自定义任务栏、系统托盘(system tray)、时钟、开始菜单(start menu)、资源管理器界面(explorer interface)等。仅适用于Windows 7。
阿斯顿壳牌（停滞不前）
AstonShell绝对不是我最喜欢的外壳替换程序(shell replacement program)，但它可能对某些人来说很棒！如果你真的很喜欢圣诞节或迪士尼(Christmas or Disney)等特定主题，那么你可以使用AstonShell下载各种疯狂的主题，并将你的桌面转换为你喜欢的任何主题。
它绝对不适合那些想要简约外观或现代外观的人。此外，AstonShell不是免费的，所以如果你真的想把你的桌面变成疯狂的东西(something crazy)，你就得花 30 美元。此外，它自 2010 年以来就没有更新过，那是很久以前的事了！
bbLean（停滞）
对于那些喜欢桌面简约外观的人来说，bbLean是一个不错的选择。它自 2009 年以来一直没有更新，但由于简单的GUI 界面(GUI interface)，很多人仍然喜欢使用它。但就像大多数 shell 替换程序一样，总是在创建新主题。
桌面定制工具
如您所见，没有多少活动的shell 替换(shell replacement)程序。相反，仍然有相当数量的桌面定制工具。这些程序可以让你改变桌面、任务栏、开始菜单等的(start menu)外观和感觉(look and feel)，就像换壳(shell replacement)一样。
最受欢迎的桌面定制(desktop customization)工具之一是Rainmeter。Rainmeter 是开源的，拥有一个非常活跃的开发者社区(developer community)。它基本上可以让您在桌面上显示可自定义的皮肤，其中几乎可以包含任何内容。
另一套流行的定制工具来自一家名为Stardock的公司。他们出售的一种实用程序是WindowBlinds。
该程序将允许您将自定义皮肤添加到桌面窗口。然后，您可以为皮肤添加背景、纹理和颜色。您也可以调整字体并创建自己的皮肤。
他们还拥有其他定制软件(customization software)，如Start10、Groupy、Fences、Tiles等。这可能是目前仍在积极开发的两种最流行的Windows 定制工具。(Windows customization)
总的来说，没有很多外壳替换或桌面定制程序，这使得选择一个更容易一些。如果您使用的是我在这里没有提到的Windows shell 替换程序(replacement program)，请随时在评论中告诉我们。享受！
Best Windows (Alternative) Shell Replacement Programs
Looking for some good desktop/shell replacement progrаms for Windows? For those of you whо feel the nеed, the need to customize, an altеrnative shell to the Windows ѕhell is one possible solution.
So what exactly is a shell replacement? It’s basically a program that will integrate with Windows and replace the default shell. The shell is GUI interface that you use to run programs or view files, etc.
By replacing the shell, you can completely change the look and feel of the GUI. Usually when replacing the Windows shell, users are looking for more control and customization options than what is provided in Windows.
Also, a lot of shells end up using less resources than the default shell. There used to be a lot of different shell replacement programs out there, but for whatever reason, almost all have stalled development.
Instead, it seems nowadays there are more desktop customization utilities than shell replacements. I’ll also mention some of the most popular programs for customizing the Windows 10 GUI.
In this article, I will list out active and stalled projects that are the best replacement shells for Windows. All of the shells are easy to uninstall if you don’t like them, which is good.
CarioShell (active)
CarioShell is the only modern looking and active Windows shell alternative that allows you to access your files and programs faster from the desktop.
It kind of makes your Windows desktop look more like the Mac OS X desktop. It’s not highly customizable or anything like that, but it does give your desktop a unique look.
Classic Shell (stalled)
Classic Shell was active till the end of 2017, but the developer has stopped working on it after 8 long years. Hopefully, someone picks it back up for him because it’s definitely one of the better shell replacements.
As the name suggests, it can give Windows that classic look from older versions. It’s also highly customizable, which is kind of the point if you are replacing your entire Windows shell. Since the last stable release was just in 2017, it still works fine in Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.
Emerge Desktop (stalled)
Emerge Desktop was probably one of the most popular Windows replacement shells out there before it stopped developed in 2015. It replaces Windows Explorer, the taskbar, the start button and pretty much everything else.
Sharpenviro (stalled)
Another good shell alternative is Sharpenviro. It works on Windows XP, Vista and 7. You can create multiple toolbars that are similar to the Windows taskbar, but you can customize them and they can also include real-time info like monitoring CPU, taking notes, getting weather reports, etc.
You can also customize pretty much everything, which is the hallmark of a good shell replacement program. Sharpenviro also supports multiple monitors, which is essential nowadays since a lot of people have more than one monitor. You can also create virtual desktops to manage your desktop windows.
LiteStep (stalled)
LiteStep was another awesome replacement desktop for your Windows PC. Just install it and then start installing themes, scripts or modules. You can customize your desktop in a multitude of ways and it’s all open source and free.
Using LiteStep with some of the modules requires a little more technical experience than some of the other programs, but it can do just about anything you want if you get into it.
LiteStep has been around for a very long time and the latest release was in 2011, so quite a while back. It’s probably not going to work with Windows 10. However, the themes and modules are still being updated/created by users.
Talisman Desktop (stalled)
Talisman Dekstop is a commercial shell replacement that has a good number of themes you can download to fully customize your desktop environment. You can create multilevel desktops, desktop panels, and lots more.
With a little bit of self-learning, you can customize the taskbar, system tray, clock, start menu, explorer interface, etc. Only works up to Windows 7.
AstonShell (stalled)
AstonShell is definitely not my favorite shell replacement program, but it might be great for some! If you really liked specific themes like Christmas or Disney, etc, then you can use AstonShell to download all kinds of crazy themes and convert your desktop into whatever you like.
It’s definitely not for those who want a minimalistic look or a modern look. Also, AstonShell is not free, so you’ll have to cough up $30 if you really want to convert your desktop into something crazy. Also, it hasn’t been updated since 2010, which is eons ago!
bbLean (stalled)
For those of you who like the minimalistic look for your desktop, bbLean is a good choice. It hasn’t been updated since 2009, but a lot of people still love using it because of the simple GUI interface. But just like with most shell replacement programs, new themes are always being created.
Desktop Customization Tools
As you can see, there aren’t many active shell replacement programs left out there. Instead, there are still a decent number of desktop customization tools. These programs let you change the look and feel of the desktop, taskbar, start menu, etc., just like a shell replacement.
One of the most popular desktop customization tools is Rainmeter. Rainmeter is open source and has a very active developer community. It basically lets you display customizable skins on your desktop that can include pretty much anything.
Another popular set of customization tools is from a company called Stardock. One utility they sell is WindowBlinds.
This program will let you add customized skins to your desktop windows. You can then add backgrounds, textures and colors to the skin. You can adjust the fonts and create your own skins too.
They also have other customization software like Start10, Groupy, Fences, Tiles, etc. Those are probably the two most popular Windows customization tools that are still actively developed.
Overall, there aren’t a lot of shell replacements or desktop customization programs out there, which makes choosing one a bit easier. If you are using a Windows shell replacement program that I haven’t mentioned here, feel free to let us know about it in the comments. Enjoy!
