Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Nexus is Latin for both a group of things bound together and the act of binding them. That makes it the perfect name for Winstep's free Nexus Dock utility. Like other desktop docks, it has time and weather widgets, a screenshot tool, and quick access to Windows features like e-mail and the Start menu. But that's just the beginning of what this versatile app can do. It brings just about anything in your PC together on the desktop for instant access -- programs, utilities, files, folders, properties information, and so on -- and displays them in an interactive, expanding docking bar that, like the rest of Nexus Dock, can be customized to suit any need. You can add Modules, Separators, and Commands, change its Size and Position, alter its Appearance and Sounds, and do much more. It's already compatible with Windows 8, too.
We extracted and started Nexus Dock, which offered to check for the latest version and also displayed an optional Tool Tip. The dock is fairly substantial in its default configuration, with icons approximately the same size as our desktop icons. You can easily change the icon size to suit your style without sacrificing any flexibility since the dock automatically magnifies any icon the cursor passes over. This Mouseover effect produces a fun "wave" when you sweep the cursor side to side, but it's one of many effects we could configure from the Effects submenu, including Fluid and Blur. Clicking any dock entry let us configure its properties or open its container. The program's Preferences sheet offers a whole row of tabs, each with tons of options; the autohide feature has seven animation settings alone.
After getting the look, we were ready to customize the dock entries by linking programs, files, and such by clicking Insert New Dock Item. It was easy: docked items seemed to spring open before we'd finished a click. The newest version of Nexus Dock has noticeably faster and crisper rendering and lots of new effects, as well as touch-screen support, better laptop compatibility, and many new widgets.
Publisher's Description
From Winstep Software Technologies:
The Winstep Nexus Dock is a free Windows dock application that provides fast access to your most frequently used applications, with flexible options allowing it to dock or float anywhere on the screen. Every feature you would expect from a dock and then more, including widgets, many different mouse-over effects, skins, drag-and-drop, ability to display running applications and the system tray, Windows 7 "superbar" ability with Aeropeek, live icon reflections and support for Windows Aero Glass effects.
What's new in this version: Version 12.2 includes the following enhancements:
- Improved Nexus rendering performance. Animated icons render 20-30 times faster.
- Smooth transitions when moving, adding or removing items in the dock.
- New RainDrop effect with optional audio.
- New Burn, Grayscale and Fireworks effects.
- The dock can now reserve screen space on all monitors.
- Fixed incompatibility with some 3rd party dock themes.
- Icon labels can now have a solid color backg... See all new features
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 144 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
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"Tidies up my desktop"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
Quick to install and fairly easy to setup. I was using Fences, but needed something more intuitive to access my desktop shortcuts from. Nexus Winstep Dock has so far met my requirements. I have added every conceivable program shortcut to it. Neat
Cons
Opted out of Notepad and Explorer shortcuts, since I extensively use taskbar-pinned shortcuts. But not a deal-breaker
Summary
Very intuitive, installs easy and the themes are great too. Quite customisable, pity sub-docks are only available in the paid version.
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"Beautiful and customizable"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
It is really beautiful and actually the free version is all that you really need.
Its highly customizable and animation effects and blur settings are really cool.Cons
Tune up utilities say that this exerts moderate system load.
Summary
Far better than object dock and more stable than rocket dock
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"Does not always come up on top of open window"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
Easy of use
Cons
Sometimes have to close open window to use the dock
Summary
still looking
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"Love this launcher"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
fully customizable
Cons
None that I can see
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"Nothing special just another dock"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
Nice effects, nice control interface, nice everything. It is comparable to stardock objectdock in terms of features and functionality. A fairly good piece of work, and I have a feeling it is probably the better of the two but marginally so. It lacks some functions of objectdock, but then it has a few of its own features that object dock doesn't have. Winstep Nexus Ultimate is far suerior to the free version so dont rely on reviews that concentrate of the free version.
There's nothing wrong with winstep nexus but, to be honest, it feels a bit more stilted and cumbersome to configure than object dock, although, I must say once you do forgive nexus for that you will appreciate that it is also marginally better than objectdock.Cons
Slightly overpriced.
A lot of people have waited from 2 to 30 days to get their hands on a registration key after paying. Be warned it's not like you pay and 10 minutes later you are playing. For some reason there's a huge delay between payment and receipt of a fully registered program. To see the validity of that statement google winstep forums and see how many people have to beg to get emails answered.In that respect stardock are vastly superior.
Winstep won't rip you off but they are slow, so pay by paypal rather than a credit card.
The program is priced differently outside the USA but there is no warning you will be charged extra for the privilege of buying outside the USA and there are no options to pay in other currencies than your local currency.Summary
A decent program all round and probably worth the wait for a registration key but I'm hard pushed to see a reason why you shouldnt wait as Nexus is a prettier and more finished product than objectdock but with about the same functionality.
I would say "Buy it, wait, and then enjoy" -
"Just what I was looking for - very well done."
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
Very customizable
Cons
Nothing so far
Summary
I repeat: Just what I was looking for - very well done.
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"absolutely fantastic!"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
changed the way my desktop looks forever!
Cons
wish i had found it sooner!
Summary
i really love winstep nexus dock,as i said,wish i had found it sooner.
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"One of the Best Desktop Customizations to Date !!"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
They even offer a free license if you help them develop the product. Thanks Guys I guess I'll Pay and get a free license later the designs look pretty learning intense.
Cons
Hard to find design your own stuff.
Summary
You will probably be 2 98% Happy with the (My windows 7) Customizations
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"Winstep Devs earn their money (NEXUS PRODUCTS)!!"
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
This is some really great stuff. Finally some software for your PC that actually makes it fun to use again. Fast, Light, very usable and feature rich Windoze desktop extention. Nice array of smart phone style screen enhancements. The one and only main "PRO" to this software is it does what it is suppose to and does it very well. Not only practical but bery fun to play with. Just the hours of tweaking alone makes this software worth every penny with an added bonus of making your PC more user friendly..
Cons
I didn't make it.
Summary
Very cool, worth every cent. Thank you for making a piece of software that is useful and also extremely fun to use. Let me add, No I do not work for or even know anyone affiliated with the developement of this product. I just like it.
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"Surprisingly sophisticated for a freeware app."
Version: Winstep Nexus Dock 12.2
Pros
Excellent GUI that is sleek, fast, complete and flexible with a myriad of options and features for almost anyone's docking requirements. Similar to OSX, but better.
Cons
None at this point.
Summary
I run Nexus with XLaunchPad for a surprisingly complete Windows 7 user experience. Nice app and its FREE!
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