Windows costumization

 

Windows costumization

All of us already know for Rainmeter (for widgets) and Nexus Dock (for shortcuts), if do not I recommend to try but if you are looking for tools that can either replace or work alongside them to completely overhaul your Windows experience.

Here are the best current tools and "gadget" platforms to further customize your PC:

1. The "Ultimate" Modern Alternatives

If you find Rainmeter too complex or Nexus Dock a bit "old-school," these are the modern heavy hitters:

• Lively Wallpaper: An open-source alternative to Wallpaper Engine. It lets you turn videos, GIFs, and even interactive websites into live wallpapers. It also has a "System Info" layer that acts like a simplified Rainmeter.

• Seelen UI: This is a rising star in 2025. It is a complete desktop environment replacement for Windows. It adds a Mac-style menu bar at the top, a sleek dock, and a "tiling window manager" feel that makes Windows look incredibly futuristic.

• Windhawk: This is the "God Mode" for Windows customization. It’s a platform where you can install small "mods" to change specific things, like making your taskbar labels smaller, adding a clock to the system tray, or centering your start menu icons.

2. Specialized Docks & Taskbar Tools

If Nexus Dock feels too bulky, try these lightweight options:

• TaskbarX: Centering the taskbar icons and making the bar transparent or blurred. It’s very lightweight compared to Nexus.

• RocketDock: An old classic, but still loved for being extremely fast and simple. If you want a dock that "just works" and uses almost zero RAM, this is it.

• MyDockFinder: This is the most accurate "Mac look-alike" software. It completely replaces the Windows taskbar with a macOS-style Dock and Top Bar.

3. Desktop Management & Utility Gadgets

These tools focus more on organization and functionality:

• Fences (by Stardock): Instead of a dock, this creates "fenced" areas on your desktop where you can group icons. You can hide them with a double-click, keeping your desktop 100% clean until you need it.

• BeWidgets: A modern, Windows 11-style widget app. It’s much easier to use than Rainmeter—you can quickly add weather, time, and system monitoring widgets that look like they belong in the official Windows UI.

• 8GadgetPack: If you miss the original Windows 7 gadgets (the clock, CPU meter, and sticky notes that sat on the side), this brings that exact technology back to Windows 10 and 11 safely.

4. System "Theming" (Visual Styles)

If you want to change the actual color and shape of your Windows windows (not just the desktop):

• UltraUXThemePatcher: This allows you to install "Third Party Themes" (found on sites like DeviantArt). This changes the actual File Explorer, window borders, and buttons.

• Winaero Tweaker: A "Swiss Army Knife" for Windows. It doesn't add "gadgets" per se, but it lets you turn off annoying features and change hidden UI settings that standard Windows doesn't allow.