Greetz, y'all!

So I purchased Winstep xTreme (v.20.10) over a year ago, but I am just now trying it out, after a complete meltdown on my box last week... tired of the same-'ol-Windows.

I have a few questions:

1. Is a Nexus Ultimate still available & what makes it different/better?
2. If I lost my license, is there any way to recover before I pay for the next year (I can't remember the username/email combo)?
3. I have looked in YouTube for videos of how to best get up to speed on the software, but nothing very comprehensive; any suggestions?
4. Where is the best place to DL or purchase themes that are up to date or at least created in the last few years?

This seems to be really KILLER software (I'm 58 years old, I can use that word still...), I have enjoyed spending the day making a mess outta my desktop, LOL... I don't understand why this is not more widely used, it's GREAT! I have used Directory Opus for years, their forums are really first rate, I hope someone here doesn't mind wasting a little time on a newbie; thanks in advance!

BTW, what happened to Jorge? Covid? Man, I hope not, he has done some incredible work here... I have no problem just buying a new license, but let me know about "Ultimate", please? Somebody?

1) Yes, Nexus Ultimate is of course still available - the website would tell you that.

There is nothing that makes it 'better' (than Winstep Xtreme), it's basically a cut-down version of Xtreme, without the NextSTART components such as the replacement taskbar and custom menus. These are, in my experience, some of the most useful and most powerful tools and personally I wouldn't be without them.

2) If you lose your key file, only Jorge can issue you a new one after checking your details. You should always keep at least two backups of that file, in safe locations (preferably at least one on a memory stick). As for renewing, given the current situation, the best thing to do is wait for Jorge's return.

3) There are some guides and other help on the website, and ISTR some videos as well. Perusing this forum can also be useful in learning about the software.

4) Best bet at the moment is still Wincustomize - again, there is a link on the website, on the 'Themes' page.

A dedicated themes repository on the Winstep site is under development.


As for Jorge, he is still temporarily absent but seems to be OK, and everybody is eagerly awaiting his return, whenever that might be.

In the meantime, we unpaid volunteer moderators do our best to keep spam etc. out of the forums and to help with queries where and when we can in our limited spare time.

Hi RadicalSatisfaction,

As Nexter states Nexus Ultimate is a subset of Winstep Xtreme that can be separately purchased, and may be all that you need - if you are only interested in workshelves and / or docks.

I've only just started playing with the product relatively recently, and have to say that it is the Workshelf capability that most interests me as a means of decluttering my desktop. Can't say that I'm a fan of docks!

I have only just started experimenting with NextStart task bar replacement as I am generally happy with the Windows taskbar (although I do use StartisBack to provide a more traditional Start menu - I'm an old fuddy duddy too, and I just prefer the older menu presentation). However if Windows 11 does start to mess with the inbuilt taskbar then Nextstart taskbar may come into its own from my perspective!

However this is where the problem of Jorge's continued absence starts to come into play. I am currently using the trial version of Xtreme - partially because I'm still experimenting, but also because if I buy the product I would probably elect to get the network version of Xtreme so that I can install it on several of my machines. This is a bit more of an investment in time and money and I would like some comfort that it is going to continue to be supported (into Windows 11 and beyond )

[Nexter - I appreciate that you believe that this product is Jorge's bread and butter, but the current fact is that he has been incommunicado for some time and is the only one with access to the code]

In terms of themes there doesn't appear to be much active development currently (with the exception of Halo296), although there are a number of existing themes available from the sites listed on the Winstep Themes page.

I wanted a minimalist theme - basic plain desktop; narrow (but usable) taskbar and shelf tab bars to maximise screen real estate; clear / interactive menus; not concerned about modules (at least at the moment) or fancy graphics.

I checked all the themes I could find to determine which was closest to my 'ideal' then had to start to look at customising my own based on what was available - this is the point I am at currently. It is also another reason why I would like Jorge's returned presence!

There is little information available on configuring themes - I've dug out what I can from the various forums / websites. So it basically comes down to trial and error.

I have installed an older version of Xtreme (one where you could still configure some of the theme properties) in a VM to try and see which parameters affect which aspects of the desktop presentation. After that it is 'suck it and see' with notepad and an image editor. Could really do with some documentation on what the config file parameters are supposed to do though!

I've managed to make some of the changes I want, but others still currently elude me - although I continue to experiment. I have a few questions for Jorge when / if he returns.

If you want to discuss any of the above give me a shout. I really like the Workshelf capabilities, and may come to appreciate other features of the suite over time.

Jorge - please get back on here and give me the confidence to invest in the product!!

The NextSTART taskbar does a whole heap of things that the Windows one does not. In fact, you could almost describe it as a 'unibar' as, depending on your needs and preferences, you can offload a lot of things from docks and workshelves onto it. If you really explore it in-depth, you might discover it really is incredibly versatile. As of course are the custom menus. I use both a lot when I do have to run Windows. I have a number of separate menus, all accessible from the taskbar. One of these is an exact copy of my customised Start Menu from NT4 except of course many of the individual items are different - for a start, there's no 'Connect Dial-Up' (or whatever it was called then) or 'Disconnect'!

As for the 'Jorge issue' - this isn't the first time that Jorge has been absent for some considerable time and indeed he has been absent for about a year or so on one past occasion. I have known him for over 23 years now, boy and man as it were, and this project means more to Jorge than you could imagine. So worry ye not, he will be back! (It's just a matter of 'when', alas! )