Winstep Xtreme for Windows

User Reviews

• Neither free nor has problems

  jackjack58/22/2014

  Pros

  Taskbar superior as is NextStart

  Cons

  Expensive annual upgrades even though not needed. Hard to Set Up Quirky

  Summary

  It was advertised as a free download so I installed it on my computer. Over a year later, it stopped working. Said I had to renew my subscription. I was never advised of that either before I downloaded the program or during installation. Although I had difficulty setting it up and parts of it never worked, I found it useful but not worth $20 a year. When I didn't resubscribe the program shut down and made a mess out of my desktop but I found ways to get around that and was able to get it to work. Nevertheless the program frequently shuts down when I click on an icon and I have to go through the process of getting it to work again. I would be willing to pay $20 for the program but on a subscription basis. It isn't worth it. It has too many problems.

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• obsolete program.

  britbastard4/13/2014

  Pros

  far better than the system screwing up stardock stuff. lots of customisations and skins from wincustomize (for a price)

  Cons

  this software has had no minor or major update since march 2012. I emailed Jorge a few months back regarding his plans over the future of winstep and if he intended to issue any more updates or major releases................I got no reply. which answers my questions fully. so if you are thinking of buying this be aware that there will probably be no further updates or releases and what you buy now is what you will end up with.

  Summary

  if you do not mind the cons, then worth buying instead of buying startdock programs which seem to do little except screw up your computer. wincustomize, where you can get skins, charges for a membership even though their contributors who make and upload the skins do it for free. hows that for nauseating capitalism? also be aware that if you use a windows replacement clock such as atomic alarm clock, it will not appear on the nextstart task bar replacement.

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• Make Win 7 look like Win9

  fatherchrisH4/18/2013

  Pros

  Ability to totally customize Windows 7.

  Cons

  It doesn't really give much to Windows 8 other then shelves which can be found on the web for little or nothing without spending so much money. It simply was confuseing and not worth the money for me.

  Summary

  IF you like Windows 7 stay with it,

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• Demo is NOT "shareware"

  Jayson324/9/2013

  Pros

  please see notes

  Cons

  see summary

  Summary

  I downloaded this program with full intentions on purchasing it if it fit my needs. As soon as I installed it things went badly first off my firewall went for 5 minutes straight asking to block or allow all the crap this program apparently installs on your computer. Then there is the part where if I hit ANY button including the windows start (which this program replaces apparently) the buy me now ad comes up and will not let me do anything. If a product is this shady with its "demo" or "shareware" I want nothing to do with it and immediately removed it from my machine.

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• Great program

  Tallos92/24/2013

  Pros

  Changing the look of windows desktop could not be easier. Program is easy to use and there are plenty of themes that can be applied..

  Cons

  Have not found a con yet.

  Summary

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• Great program and so versatile

  bachbeet6/15/2012

  Pros

  Features are great. I can recolor any winstep theme to match other themes I might have. I can choose which parts/modules to run at any given time. And, the themes look great. Especially those that complement the Windowblinds themes.

  Cons

  Support can be a bit slow in responding because Jorge is very busy. but he always points one in the right direction and resolves the issue if it can be resolved.

  Summary

  Highly recommended.

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• This is a MUST-HAVE. You may not know it yet but it is.

  skagon1/23/2012

  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

  RSimmons371/23/2012

  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!

  Summary

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• Winstep Xtreme does what it advertises and very well.

  akshtray12/16/2011

  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?

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• Excellent dock with great features and look.

  afhales12/9/2011

  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.

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