Shell replacements are software packages that add new graphical user interface designs to Windows.
There are precious few actively supported shell replacements currently available for Windows.
Classic Shell is a popular one that remained actively supported until about 2017.
That software adds a new menu bar, taskbar, and browseable desktop to Microsofts latest desktop platform.
This is how you might transform Windows 11 with Cairo Desktop.
How to Download and Install Cairo
Installation of Cairo is quick and straightforward.
Note that .NET Framework 4.7.1 or higher is a system requirement for Cairo.
This software is also compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 platforms.
Choose your language on the drop-down menu, and click theStart Tourbutton.
That tour will tell you a bit about Cairo before you jump into its new desktop environment.
So, thats kind of like Cairos alternative to the Start menu.
you could add programs to that menu and organize them with CairosApp Grabber tool.
Click theProgramsmenu and selectApp Grabber.
To organize apps on that menu, press theContinuebutton.
you might add new program categories by clicking thePlusbutton and right-clickingUntitledon them to input titles.
Left-click programs and hold the mouse button to drag them between categories.
Then clickFinishto update the menu.
Youll see the new categories added on the right side of theProgramsmenu.
Then youll be able to access files directly from their folder stacks on the menu bar.
Cairos menu bar already includesDocumentsandDownloadsstacks by default from which to access files.
To add a folder stack to the menu bar, click theChoose folderbutton on Cairos navigation bar.
Select a folder to view in Cairo, and click theOKoption.
Right-click anywhere on the desktop area and selectAdd to Stacks.
Then youll see a stack for the folder appear on the menu bar.
you might smack the left/right arrows to scroll through the files.
Press theOpen desktopbutton to view the folders contents on the desktop.
Then you’re able to click theBackandForwardbuttons to flick through opened folders.
The Task List on that taskbar is another cool Cairo feature.
That feature includes a menu of all the open software windows on the taskbar.
you’re free to switch between windows by selecting them on the Task List menu.
To view that window, smack the small circle on the far left of the menu bar.
Then selectCairo Settingson the menu.
TheMenu Bartab includes customization configs for Cairos menu bar.
Or select a different category for theProgramsmenu on theDefault programs categorydrop-down menu.
If you want to change the desktops home folder, click theDesktoptab.
Then click theDesktop homeoption’s…button to choose a different home folder for Cairo Desktop.
you’re able to also change the wallpaper by clicking the ellipsis button for thePathoption.
TheTaskbartab enables you to change the appearance of Cairos taskbar.
you might resize its icons by selecting one of the three radio buttons for theIcon sizeoption.
TheAdvancedtab includes aSet Cairo as Shelloption.
Click that button if you want Cairo to replace the Explorer shell.
Then Windows 11 will automatically start up in the Cairo Desktop environment.
Note that you cant select to exit the Cairo Desktop when its set as the shell.
However, you’re free to always undo that setting by selecting the correspondingSet Windows Explorer as Shelloption.
Youll need to drop off for some customization changes to take effect.
To do so, opt for circle on the menu bar and selectLog Off.
Then clickLog Offon the confirmation prompt.
Cairo effectively integrates folder navigation into its desktop environment, so youll seldom need to access File Explorer.
So, many users may prefer Cairos more dynamic desktop to the default one in Windows 11.
