A newer version of Aston is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
Features
-
Editor's Rating:
Not rated
- Average User Rating:
-
Downloads:
150,576
- Operating Systems:
Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98
- Additional Requirements:
Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
- Limitations:
30-day trial
- Date Added:
October 19, 2004
-
Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of Aston 1.9.1
From Gladiators Software:Aston shell is a shell replacement application. Unlike many competing products, it consumes less RAM, than default Windows shell and needs few processor resources. Aston replaces standard Windows Desktop and adds numerous new features, like detailed configuration of any element, custom skins for all elements, icons of any size and shape, animated and transparent icons, and transparency and animation effects. You also get hotkeys for any actions.
Version 1.9.1 features some new plug-ins, the Aston icon in system tray is now skinnable and removable, added word wrap option for the Notebook plugin, and several bugs fixes.
More popular Desktop Customization downloads
- 33,177 downloads 1. ObjectDock
- 21,079 downloads 2. WindowBlinds
- 14,657 downloads 3. BumpTop
- 14,357 downloads 4. Fences
- 10,398 downloads 5. VistaGlazz
- See all Desktop Customization downloads
User reviews of Aston 1.9.1
- Average user rating: 3.2 stars out of 32 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 11 user reviewsSee all 11 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Aston 1.9.1
"I like how it starts with a fancy wallpaper and space age buttons instead ..."
Pros: You can make a button to go to the desktop, I
believe hint is desktop, and type of file is desktop, and you leave the others blank. As it does not start to desktop, everything is organised, it just takes the stress out. Also their other program (altdesk) allows you to do 3 different things on the PC, they use paypal, but be patient as u get the reg. in a couple of days. Essential if you use the PC alot. Some of the themes have clocks and CPU usage. See also rainmeter and rainlender, which work well with this, but do smaller things and are free. I cannot imagine being on the PC without this. Their competition is windowblinds which uses more CPU power, whereas this makes the CPU faster. Also windowblinds starts drom your desktop i.e scattered files and program shortcuts, but I like the idea of starting clean, with just a few fancy buttons. It is easy to edit the buttons and themes are saved when U change to another theme. Their
is also a forum on their site, which is active.
Cons: Some themes do not change the folders look, but that is it, usually system folders are all designed to go with the theme, which are all free.
-
Version: Aston 1.9.1
"It's basic yet technical, it's useful yet pointless.."
Pros: I see no point in these jazzy themes and shells you need to improvise your computer and make it something it's not. But with AstonShell I believed it was different, and what do they say?
Seeing is believing. And it worked.
The themes are free, the registration is cheap and cost effective and there a vast amounts of slick, modern and sexy themes to make your computer something you never dreamed it could be.
The fact is, many other Shell replacers and theme wizards and managers like ThemeXP, ObjectDock 1.1 and the lot. They use around about 11MB, this uses around about 10. Not alot of different but the average Windows uses 30MB. Yes, 30.
It works. Trust me.
-
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Aston 1.9.1
"Trial period expired after 3 hours- Bad sign of upfront problems with this!"
Pros: I could not use the program. 30 day trial security modual has a problem and expired within 3 hours after intsalling. Read on the web site forum that this is happening to alot of people. They claim that it is being worked on but as of today has not been fixed. Makes you feel like your being forced to buy the program just to get it to work and then I read that some folks were not getting there unlock code number in a timely manner. I dont know about you but when I buy something I want my key within the hour if not a few minutes.
Cons: Anyone who wants to sell a product, should have all the kinks and delays of buying a program, worked out so that the consumer dont have to get there panties in a wad. I dont know why these folks dont care that their potential buyers are having a problem right up front. This is a serious problem from a marketing point of view. If you cant fix this problem for your customers, Then you need to stop all marketing of the product until you do. This ******** about e-mailing someone and waiting for who knows how long for who knows who, will get back to you with who knows what is any solution. It is not my job to figure out why your promise of a 30 day free trial expires after 3 hours (for me)then does not work and leaves you with frustration and anger. My job is not to e-mail you and ask you why I have not gotten my code yet. My job is not to research your forums to find out why why why. It is your job and this is why you make the money any we pay for the program. The answer I got on there web site about the 30 day free trial expiring after and hour or so and got an answer simular to this: Please do not change the time or date on your computer during the trial period. Ok, Now what. I did not change the time or date and now I can not use the program until I pay for it even if you reinstall it. Bottom line:
I have this supposed 30 day trial program on my machine that expired in 1 hour. Now I cant use the program and reinstalling it did not change that fact. There is no sulution on the web site for this. Now, do I buy it after finding out that the false advertising of a 30 free trial is the first impression of this company and there is no solution to fix it? Or, do I write it off as onother software company that dont have their **** together and thinks we should all suffer for it if, we want the program anyway? Personally I wouldnt touch it until they actually give a 30 day free trial as stated on the web site. Until then They can kiss my ass. I'm tired of doing programers research for them when they make the money.
-
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Aston 1.9.1
Pros: Provides some extra functionality to anybodys desktop. Instead of a bunch of scruffy icons I have a number of dropdown menus with quick links to any of my applications and to a number of system/control functions. It also really does use fewer system resources than explorer.exe (with the themes I use Aston takes up 5-11MBs compared to explorer.exe's 14+MBs minimum).
It is quite stable and it has been a long time since I had a 'windows explorer has encountered a problem' type message.
Cons: I thought about making my own Aston desktop theme but it is an incredibly time consuming task. For anything more than the basics I would recommend downloading a theme that catches your eye and simply adapting it to your needs. Far easier and quicker than creating your own.
When I start-up my PC Aston will breifly hand if I start opening apps too soon, ie when other programs which start when windows is turned on are still starting-up.
-
Version: Aston 1.9.1
Pros: 1. It made my pc work faster, the memory in use shoots down! (got tweaknow powerpack, which I recommend too!)
2. You have plenty of time to check it out because of the long trial period.
3. It looks awesome, it contains some standard skins like Longhorn, Windows Media Centre etc,..
4. They placed an enormous amount of skins on their website, wich all work perfectly.
5. When you decide to buy this product, you can also choose to buy ALTDESK, an awesome virtual desktop manager.
6. It has several plugins, like analog clocks, weather information, cpu monitors etc.
7. Conclusion: It rocks!
Cons: 1. It contains some advertising (like small words saying Aston, etc... but these can be removed.
2. It deletes your current desktop, so you have to add all your programs manually (it doesn't support windows active desktop, but there are some plugins to fix that)
3. When you have chosen for aston shell once, and you want to switch to explorer, it doesn't reset the system colours and the cursors.
- See all 11 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
You must be 13 years of age or older to submit personal information to CNET Networks. In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, CNET Networks does not accept name and e-mail address information from users who are under 13 years of age.
All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
CNET Networks is not responsible for the content of the publisher's descriptions or user reviews on this site. We encourage you to determine whether this product or your intended use is legal. We do not encourage or condone the use of any software in violation of applicable laws. CNET Download.com does not sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannot be held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of these products.
