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CNET Editors' review
Winstep Xtreme is a customizable Windows interface suite that combines enhanced functionality and attractive effects with a wide variety of widgets, utilities, task managers, and power tools, all designed to work together seamlessly. It bundles the NeXuS Ultimate dock system; WorkShelf, a versatile tabbed dock; NextStart, an enhanced system taskbar; Winstep Start Menu Organizer; FontBrowser; and more. Not to mention a wide variety of desktop widgets such as weather monitors, system meters, and time/date displays.
We opened Winstep Xtreme, and first to appear was NextStart, a skinnable, totally customizable taskbar replacement that basically lets you park anything you want on it, in groups, with widgets. This was followed shortly by the associated WorkShelf, which expands to a console of docked items, including tasks, utilities such as FontBrowser and Start Menu Organizer, system tools, and even a fish called Wanda that dispenses advice and pithy quotes. Xtreme also installed floating desktop widgets for local weather, a CPU meter, and an attractive combined analog/digital clock display. At the center top of the desktop appeared the NeXuS Ultimate dock, a series of docking icons that you can customize to provide quick access to your most needed programs and files, from programs to media players to family pictures and everything in between, too. Winstep might just provide more settings and options for configuring and customizing Xtreme's various parts than any similar tool or suite we've seen. We were able to change the size, color, effects, behavior, function, performance, sounds, themes, and much more, yet everything was surprisingly easy to configure since the right-click context menus access all needed controls and settings. It's not difficult to configure advanced settings, either. The displays, widgets, skins, effects, and other visual settings were all compatible with Windows Aero themes and the Windows 7 Superbar, too, and were quite attractive, ranging from subtle to jazzy and even entertaining, such as the small but realistic explosion that demolishes items when you remove them from the dock.
Winstep Xtreme has still more features than we can describe, such as the Tasklist on the WorkShelf and an Advanced Time Report Client. It's worth the time and effort to customize Winstep Xtreme to suit your needs, since the end result is a much better desktop.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of Winstep Xtreme 10.9. The trial version is limited to 30 days.
Publisher's Description
From Winstep Software Technologies:
Winstep Xtreme is a suite of Windows user interface replacement applications that merge usability and performance with breathtaking eye candy. Winstep Xtreme includes: NeXuS Ultimate, the dock system with live icon reflections. WorkShelf, a tabbed dock. NextStart, the menu system that also takes care of all your task management needs with Windows 7 "Superbar" capabilities. Winstep Start Menu Organizer, which helps you organize and clean your Windows Start Menu. Fontbrowser, a simple font browser with an easy to use interface. Desktop widgets such as a speaking atomic clock, e-mail checker, weather monitor, recycler, fortune cookie reader, CPU, Net, and RAM meters.
What's new in this version: Version 11.10 includes the following enhancements:
- Weather module working again by using alternate weather feeds.
- New 'Launch' and 'Attention' effects for docks.
- Sub-docks in the Shelf now open automatically when dragging items over the sub-dock icon.
- New Tray tab in WorkShelf Preferences
- Improved management of customized tray icons.
- Desktop modules can now remain visible on Aeropeek.
- User definable icon size for system tray icons on ... See all new features
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All versions:
4.4 starsout of 66 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"This is a MUST-HAVE. You may not know it yet but it is."
Version: Winstep Xtreme 11.10
Pros
I started using this product just because I wanted a dock with my drives, like the old toolbar of the taskbar used to be.
Now, I can't imagine using any of my computers without it. The features are numerous and everything (or almost so) is user-customisable.
The biggest pro, however, is the support: just post your question or problem in the forum, and the developer himself will answer your questions within a couple of hours tops.
Also, buying it will give you a full year of updates. After that, you can keep using that last version you got, for ever. And ever. And if you decide at any time you want to update, you get the renewal for half the price, and one extra year. At any point in time. Not necessarily *right* after the expiry.Cons
Honestly, I can't think of one.
Summary
Just give it a try, and give it a month. Seriously. After that, you'll wonder how you ever used your computer before.
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"too many free or much lower cost alternatives out there"
Version: Winstep Xtreme 11.10
Pros
So much of this is already available for FREE from numerous other sources why pay?
This really isnt anything special.Cons
again too many products out there that do the same functionality for free or less!
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"Winstep Xtreme does what it advertises and very well."
Version: Winstep Xtreme 11.10
Pros
- Low-to-middle resource usage (compared to Object Dock/Desktop)
- Absolutely.Love.Workshelf. I had no idea this existed before my Winstep Xtreme trial and now I am not sure if I can live without it.
- Nexus dock has the customization options that Object Dock and Rocket Dock do not.
- Great forum site with active participation from the Developer(s)
- Loved the customization options available for the Clock, Weather Modules
- Wide varieties of Themes available
- NexStart and Start Menu Organizer let me manage and arrange my applications just the way I like it.Cons
- Issue with my laptop which uses Optimus (to switch between onboard and nVidia video card) preventing sync of Weather and Time modules and update of the software itself with 'connection failed' issues.
Summary
Only reasons I am not giving it a 5 is:
- The one con with regard to updates as mentioned above.
- My limited exposure to the product (still on the month trial)
- Nothing is perfect. Ever. But .. 4.5/5 is pretty darn close.
That being said the software does exactly what it advertises for and more. A HUGE bonus is the fact that Jorge (the Developer) is very accessible and approachable on the forums. He actively participates with members/customers and uses their input/critique to better the product.
It was also a pleasure to see that there were new themes being actively made for Winstep on Wincustomize and other such sites which demonstrates active member participation in the Design/Development process.
It is a software I would heartily recommend to anyone to spends a lot of time on their computer. Who said that you cannot make your desktop attractive and efficient at the same time? -
"Excellent dock with great features and look."
Version: Winstep Xtreme 11.10
Pros
Has multiple skins, launches apps quickly. Easy to add apps. Can have multiple docks on desktop placed where you want them.
Cons
They ding you for the app for every upgrade so you end up having to re-purchase at least once a year.
Summary
I loved the app but I resent having to pay over and over again.
Results 1-4 of 4
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