Emerge Desktop for Windows

Used Emerge Desktop for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Key Details of Emerge Desktop

Access and manage your computer through shell environment.
Last updated on April 6, 2020
There have been 3 updates
Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffApril 6, 2020

The Windows Explorer shell is responsible for some of the most basic aspects of the way Windows looks. The Start menu, system tray, and other aspects of the taskbar are all part of the shell. Emerge Desktop replaces the Windows Explorer with a different, more customizable shell. On the whole we didn't find it to be a huge improvement over the Windows default, but if you like to tweak your desktop's appearance, it might be worth checking out.

The program's interface isn't the most intuitive thing we've ever seen, and we had to consult the built-in Help file to figure out how to get started. Fortunately, the Help file is quite thorough, and Emerge Desktop isn't difficult to use once you've learned its basics. The program consists of multiple modules that are referred to as applets, and these can be rearranged on the desktop however the user sees fit. Applets can contain the Start menu, quick launch icons, system tray icons, the clock, and more, and each one is individually configurable. Users can adjust the position, color, opacity, and other characteristics, and we liked that the configuration menu for each applet was easy to access with a right click of the mouse. Users can also access the Start menu by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop, which is a nice touch. Overall, Emerge Desktop didn't totally blow our minds, but users who prefer more flexibility than the Windows Explorer shell provides might find that this program is exactly what they need.

Emerge Desktop for Windows

Used Emerge Desktop for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 26, 2012

Latest update: April 6, 2020

Version: 6.1.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows 2000
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 11,061

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.2/5

11 User Votes

Fantastic!
NetPro5January 10, 2013
Pros
- Allows Customization of all applets. - Runs better then the Original Vista/Windows 7 default shell if on a modern operating system. - Allows custom applets to be coded to work from any compiler. - It's stable and has a lot of detail. - Very convenient to have a right click menu instead of a start button menu to make your program access(es) take less time. - Themes change the entire desktop look, no hacks, no 5 hours of messing around with third party files. Just install, select, and use it. - The start menu doesn't lag as much when you have many programs installed, unless your hardware isn't very modern.
Cons
- The task bar applet being placed along the vertical axis has a bug that causes the applets to overlay each other. Not really a severe problem, but the way it should be fixed is if two applets are touching each other it will automatically expand each one to fit the size of the screen. Otherwise I have no complaints.
Summary
Worth it for someone who wants a more beautiful desktop environment for Windows. Default theme can be changed by going to theme manager. And applets are configured by pressing CTRL + Right Mouse on each applet.
needs work
pckristoferOctober 19, 2011
Pros
Put info on the screen in separate boxes
Cons
Requires way too much configuration. One box (bar) appeared higher than the other. When I tried to drag it, it wouldn't budge.
Summary
Desktop shells should quickly let us customize our desktop. This one is a nice start, but has a LONG way to go.
Best of several
flemur13013September 24, 2011
Pros
Reliable, small-ish footprint, flexible, minimalist. Desktop menu (rt-click, etc) for programs is great.
Cons
Might not look slick enough for some.
Summary
Similar to bblean but more complete & much better, also like fluxbox (linux). EZ to return to other desktop managers besides explorer: I was switching between emerge and SharpEnviro, also EZ to start from task manager. EZ to customize the desktop popup menus. READ THE FAQ before you start!
Great Windows replacement shell for Vista 64bit.
rivianiaJune 27, 2011
Pros
- Easy to install. The exe does all the work. - Stable. It hasn't crashed on me yet. - Useful on&off line help and information - Still updated - 64 and 32bit shells - Simple to configure throught the GUI
Cons
- Not as many config options as Litestep. - How to configure the apps is not obvious. (ctrl+right click to configure, ctrl+left click & drag to move) - Not a wide variety of applets to choose from, only the ones that come with Emerge.
Summary
I tried this shell along with LiteStep and BBLean over the weekend and decided to keep it. While LiteStep runs fine for me, but I prefer to have a 64bit shell. I've never been much of a fan of the BlackBox or FluxBox shells not because of any performance problems but just that I don't really like the task/tray bar. Plus, as far as I can tell, Emerge is the most active project with the latest stable release actually being this year. If you don't read the help file or view the online tutorial, you will have no idea how to move things around or configure the applets. Of course if you've read this far down, I already told you how to configure the applets. There is also a system monitor app you can run, but you have to add it to the list of running applets through the desktop menu settings link. The online tutorial or help file is important to figuring things out or learning about some of the features. The configuration and options that are available are great. I especially like the system clock doubling as a run box by just clicking on it. You can even add aliases to run. Unforunatly, it doesn't seem as powerful as LSXCommand with no ablitiy to search the web from it. Overall, Emerge is simple enuough for someone who isn't computer savvey to use, but has some flexibility that more knowledgable users will like. I haven't had stability issues that the previous posters had using the 64bit version on my Vista 64 machine. In fact, everything was painless as the install exe did everything for me including setting Emerge as my default shell. If there were more options to configure applets such as with my choice of images instead of just color gradients or a more robust command box, I would have given this shell 5 stars.
Windows Shell Replacement done right
SilverDevJune 27, 2011
Pros
I never have to see the Start button again Runs smaller, cleaner than Windows Explorer Active forum, immediate assistance if you're willing to ask Active development by talented, committed individuals
Cons
It's free software, it isn't always perfect. There will be the occasional crash. However, if you're will to work and provide data, you'll get help and may lead to a new update.
Summary
I'm still stuck on XP at the office. My computer seems to run a lot faster with this shell rather than Explorer. I've been on various versions across more than a year and I love it.
Mostly a Waste
rfm33428February 27, 2011
Pros
I have to admit that I liked right clicking to have the menu & quick launch without having to go to the bottom left of the screen
Cons
The system tray applet kept crashing on me. Over all I really wasn't that impressed unless you enjoy cosmetic changes.
Summary
Try it, make up your own mind based on your interests. Maybe it will suit your needs more than it did for me.
Not Impressed
skippy_vandersFebruary 23, 2011
Pros
The install went easy
Cons
Kept crashing my PC. It would have to reboot into the new shell which i find normal but in loading the new shell it would take forever to somewhat load
Summary
I would never use this product again
Would not start.
TikkiduneqFebruary 17, 2011
Pros
I give it 2 stars for the concept.
Cons
Would not start on win7 64bit.
Summary
Overall I really am a fan.
wedge23May 8, 2010
Pros
Right clicking on desktop for startmenu, mycomputer, control panel, and shutdown very slick. No windows taskbar yay. Loads desktop faster. And seems a bit slicker over all.
Cons
the 64 bit version doesn't work with the zune 64 software. Fought with it for a long time to no avail. Everything else worked ok.
Summary
I enjoy it and am trying to not fully replace explorer with it so that the zune software will hopefully work.
Great software
tanglefastOctober 7, 2008
Pros
-highly customizable -small footprint -many features
Cons
-difficult to pick up right away -using it is not intuitive at first -does not work with some chat programs like digsby
Summary
if you take the time to customize this program, it unclutters your desktop for all the things you need. it also can be made to look very good if you put the time in it. i also have keyboard shortcuts to all my favourite programs, which saves me much time.

Developer’s Description

By Emerge Desktop Development Team

Access and manage your computer through shell environment.

Emerge Desktop is a replacement windows shell. In order to replace Windows Explorer as a shell, Emerge Desktop will offer a system tray (the area that collects the icons collected at the lower right corner in Explorer), called emergeTray. Emerge Desktop will also provide access to the users programs (normally accessed with the windows start button) via a right-click on the desktop, via emergeCore. Emerge Desktop has an open API, which allows for applets to be coded with compilers other than MinGW if someone wishes to do so.