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System - Shell Replacements (2)

Sh'elf v1.00.0013

webfork on 10 Nov 2019
  • 410KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 8 Nov 2012
  • Suggested by I am Baas

Sh'elf is an on-demand window that functions just like your regular desktop, complete with drag-and-drop capability. Program supports relative (portable) paths for customizable image viewing, text editor, command shell, etc., as well as interface options such as stay-on-top and tray icon.

Good for alternate shells or quick access to another directory as an alternate desktop.

NOTE: Both 32 and 64-bit versions are contained in the download. Site offline, linking to softpedia and archive.org.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7
Writes settings to: Application folder
Dependencies: MSVCRT.DLL (included by default on XP and above)
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Requires manual entry of relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: Freeware
How to extract:
  1. Download the ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice
  2. Launch and then immediately close shelf32.exe or shelf64.exe
  3. Edit shelf.ini and change the following:

    convertlinks=TRUE
    savefolder=FALSE
    folder=..\


    Note: The Folder= setting may be set to any path (e.g. c:\mydesk, z:\network, etc.), but the above setting puts the desktop as the same directory that contains the Sh'elf program

  4. Launch and close shelf32.exe (for 32-bit OS) or shelf64.exe (for 64-bit OS)
Latest comments
SauceSqotch on 2011-05-25 15:13

This looked cool, but its not what I thought it was. the description is (partially) accurate, you can't move icons around via drag and drop, doesn't support custom background images, and only one window.

jessharpur on 2014-11-14 02:12

The download link gives an File Not Found error. There are now two separate zips, one for 32bit and one for 64.

webfork on 2014-11-16 18:55

jessharpur: updated, thanks for the note

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BBLean v1.17.1

webfork on 25 Jun 2017
  • 1010KB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 8 Dec 2009
  • Suggested by gp_hbk

BBLean is an alternative shell for Windows. It is based stylistically on the Blackbox window manager for the X Window System by Brad Hughes. It supports numerous plugins and styles for different tastes and needs.

Category:
Runs on:Win95 / Win98 / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP / Vista
Writes settings to: Application folder
License: GPL
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE to a folder of your choice. Launch blackbox.exe. See this forum post on how to enhance BBLean.
Latest comments
Roger on 2009-12-10 01:12

It's not clear to me what this actually does or why I would need it. Is it just a replacement for Windows Explorer?

nvictor on 2009-12-10 03:02

Roger,

it's like changing your whole desktop. see the bar at the top. it's your taskbar.

some people like changing their operating system themes.

maxnort on 2009-12-15 21:02

portable? yes; runs on top of explorer. some systray icons disappear, but the programs still running. go for the ultimate in security: create a profile in every pc you use that requires you have the USB stick inserted or else no shell can load.

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