Winstep Xtreme

Many desktop enchancement programs are complex all-in-one packages that require knowledge of a programming language to completely customize the Windows Desktop. But not Winstep Xtreme.

This $39.90 program brings two new interface elements to Windows: NextStart, which replaces your Start menu with a more-powerful alternative that includes file viewing, disc copying, and more; and WorkShelf, for organizing folders and programs for easy launching. Nexus, a subset of WorkShelf, creates a rotating workshelf (a highly configurable taskbar) at the top of your screen, featuring some important program shortcuts.

Several additional modules let you load, move, and customize some new desktop items, similar to the Widgets and Gadgets in Mac OS X and Windows Vista. These include a clock, a CPU monitor, RAM and Net meters, an e-mail checker, a miniature weather display, and a goldfish that spouts silly or interesting quotes when double-clicked.

Winstep Xtreme can also quickly build menus and tabbed workshelves using a pair of excellent wizards, each of which has its own extensive, searchable help system. We really liked the ease and speed with which the average computer user, with no previous experience, can quickly customize his or her desktop using Winstep Xtreme.

This surprisingly simple app, which supports Windows 95 through Vista, isn’t for everyone. But if you spend a lot of time at the Windows Desktop attempting to make order out of chaos, find yourself frustrated often over the lack of organization among your shortcuts, or maybe want to customize a screensaver backdrop with password accessible hotspots for your kids, Winstep Xtreme handles such tasks with panache.