Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- lb:windows [2023-12-17 15:40:05] – [Program Icons] ninjasr
+++ lb:windows [2023-12-23 12:17:21] (current) – [Shells] ninjasr
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Windows Ricing ======
-[{{ https://files.catbox.moe/6ghuca.png |Not that hard!}}]
+{{ lb:img:windows.png }}
 This article is on the subject of Ricing (customizing) Windows.\\
-The article is primarily focused on Windows 10 and not Windows 11. Much of what is written here is applicable to both, but you should always **be careful and do proper research before you attempt any more the more dangerous customizations**.
+The article is primarily focused on Windows 10 and not Windows 11. Much of what is written here is applicable to both, but you should always **be careful and do proper research before you attempt any of the more dangerous customizations**.
 ===== Ricing =====
 Ricing Windows is far easier than most people realize((:fn:>For those who have read the InstallGentoo wiki this may come as a surprise, as that wiki spreads the common myth that Windows is extremely restrictive.)). I'd actually go as far as to suggest it's easier than ricing Linux, but I won't go too far down that rabbit-hole.\\
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 Note that this doesn't work all the time because not all applications deal with icons in the same way. This also only works until you update, at which point you'll be forced to do it again((:fn:>It's possible that WindHawk can be used to provide a quasi-permanent solution, but I haven't looked too deeply into it to know for sure.)).
 === Filetypes ===
-Install a program called [[https://ystr.github.io/types/|Types]]. After that, it's as simple as right-clicking on a filetype and clicking "Edit Filetype".
+Install a program called [[https://ystr.github.io/types/|Types]]. Types allows you to modify every filetype in your registry in a lot of different ways. Icons are the main thing you will likely use this for.
 === Icon Packs ===
-Sometimes you'll find either iPacks or [[https://www.deviantart.com/devillnside/art/7TSP-GUI-2019-Edition-804769422|7tsp]] icon packs. I haven't used either, but I //do// think they work.\\
+Sometimes you'll find either iPacks or [[https://www.deviantart.com/devillnside/art/7TSP-GUI-2019-Edition-804769422|7tsp]] icon packs listed on DeviantArt. These install the icon packs for you, so you don't have to bother with modifying each thing individually. I've used 7tsp icon packs and they work quite well.
-Just be sure to make a system restore point before you change the pack.\\
+==== Typefaces ====
-These go through the previous steps themselves (with the exception of programs) so you don't have to bother with changing system icons manually.
+For changing the default typefaces you should use [[https://winaero.com/winaero-tweaker/|Winaero Tweaker]]. It's best to pick a type that covers most of the languages you speak.\\
-==== Fonts ====
+Note that some software will break or not work properly if you do this.\\
-Install [[https://winaero.com/winaero-tweaker/|Winaero Tweaker]] and navigate to the fonts section.\\
+There is a potential alternative to this that has none of the downsides, which would be MacType (listed bellow). I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure.
-Winaero Tweaker includes a bunch of other options too that are worth checking out.\\
+==== Wallpapers ====
-Don't forget to pick a font that covers most of the languages you speak, cause it will break something otherwise.\\
+If you want something fancier than just a picture as your wallpaper then you should use the following:
-Some software also breaks when you do this, so be careful.
-=== Possible Alternative ===
-There //might// be an alternative to the above with, potentially, none of the downsides.\\
-However, I have yet to actually test this to see if it is one or not. When I do, I'll add it in here.
-==== Wallpaper ====
-If you want something fancier than just a picture as your wallpaper... then you're in luck.
   * [[https://www.wallpaperengine.io/en|Wallpaper Engine]] - The standard for animated and interactive wallpapers. Costs money, but it's one time only and very much worth it. The two LOSS alternatives can't really compare with it, I'm afraid.
   * [[https://rocksdanister.github.io/lively/|Lively Wallpaper]] - A LOSS alternative to Wallpaper Engine.
@@ Line 47: / Line 41: @@
   * [[https://github.com/Francesco149/weebp|weebp]] - LOSS. In my experience, it doesn't work quite well with [[lb:Cairo Desktop]] and it's a bit strange.
     * [[https://github.com/SegoCode/AutoWall|AutoWall]] - a Front-end for weebp.
-  * [[https://github.com/t1m0thyj/WinDynamicDesktop|WinDynamicDesktop]] - Changes the wallpaper based on the time of day. Creating wallpapers is pretty easy, although the current selection is quite poor.
+  * [[https://github.com/t1m0thyj/WinDynamicDesktop|WinDynamicDesktop]] - Changes the wallpaper based on the time of day. Creating wallpapers is pretty easy.
     * [[https://windd.info/themes/|Community Wallpapers]]. Some are paid.
 ==== Shells ====
-If you don't like the default Windows desktop shell... you can replace it.\\
+By default, Windows uses the explorer desktop shell. This manages the desktop and taskbar. If you don't like it (like me), then there are a number of alternatives you can use.\\
-There are currently only 3 that matter:
+The following are significantly different:
-  - [[lb:Cairo Desktop]]
+  * [[https://cairodesktop.com|Cairo Desktop]] - Restrictive and development is slow((:fn:>It's what I use, but I'm likely going to jump ship to RetroBar instead.)).
-  - [[lb:Litestep]]
+  * [[wp>LiteStep|Litestep]] - Development stalled at some point and getting it to a functional state is painful.
-  - [[lb:BlackBox]]
+  * [[wp>Blackbox|BlackBox]] - The Windows versions appear to have stalled. I haven't used it.
-Installation is fairly simple.\\
+The following make small changes to the shell, usually modifying just the taskbars:
-Besides them, there's also [[https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu|Open-Shell]] which allows you to customize the taskbar and start menu. Even if you switch to an alternative shell, I recommend installing this because it has a few extra neat features.
+  * [[https://github.com/dremin/RetroBar|RetroBar]]
-==== Misc ====
+  * [[https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/177/reactos-taskbar-win10-desktop-classic|ReactOS Taskbar]]
-=== Aero Design ===
+Besides these, you can install additional software to change the default shell significantly. I'd recommend installing [[https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu|Open-Shell]] to change the start menu. Open-Shell has a number of extra features.
-Do you, like me, enjoy Aero design? Do you also want it on Windows 10+?\\
+==== Software ====
-Unfortunately, there isn't <del>much</del> anything you can actually do.
+  * [[https://www.nurgo-software.com/products/aquasnap?referrer=alternativeto|AquaSnap]]
-== Aero Glass for Windows 8.x+ ==
+    * Modifies the window manager to allow windows to snap to the edges and each-other.
-This one is only available for version 1607 and 1703-1909. It also doesn't work very well unless you donate. As it's not for the latest versions... it's also effectively abandoned.\\
+    * There's a paid version with a few extra features.
-Link to site and download [[https://www.glass8.eu|here]].
+    * If you install a theme with rounded corners, it will not work properly with AquaSnap.
-== Glass2k ==
+    * **Note**: There is a [[https://windhawk.net/mods/slick-window-arrangement|Windhawk alternative]] that does the exact same thing.
-This doesn't give it to you, but makes windows more transparent. If you use AquaSnap it gets a little fucky. It's also really old... but if it works, it works.\\
-Link to site and download [[https://chime.tv/products/glass2k.shtml|here]].
-== Stardock Blinds ==
-This is currently the only functional alternative and it happens to cost money. It also happens to be another way to have custom themes on Windows.
-==== Useful Software ====
-  * [[https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys|PowerToys]]
-    * Will explains later.
   * [[https://chocolatey.org|Chocolatey]]
     * A 3rd party package manager for Windows. It's useful for installing software and keeping it up-to-date.
-  * [[https://github.com/tfeldmann/organize|organize]]
-    * A file management automation tool. Use it to create filters to move and delete files.
-    * I'm pretty sure there's a Chocolatey package for it.
-  * [[https://junyx.breadfan.de/Min2Tray/|Min2Tray]]
-    * A small utility that lets you minimize applications to your tray.
   * [[https://www.voidtools.com|Everything]]
     * A search utility that can search through //everything// instantly.
-  * [[https://pooi.moe/QuickLook/|QuickLook]]
+  * [[https://junyx.breadfan.de/Min2Tray/|Min2Tray]]
-    * It's for previews in explorer and the like.
+    * A small utility that lets you minimize applications to your tray.
+  * [[https://github.com/tfeldmann/organize|organize]]
+    * A file management automation tool. Use it to create filters to move and delete files. Annoyingly, it requires you to run a command every time you want it to do this.
+    * I'm pretty sure there's a Chocolatey package for it.
+  * [[https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys|PowerToys]]
+    * A collection of small utilities for power-users. I use many of these daily at this point.
   * [[http://qttabbar.wikidot.com|QTTabBar]]
-    * This adds tabs to explorer along with a few extra features.
+    * This adds tabs to explorer along with a few extra features. The extra features are actually more useful than the tabs.
     * This one application basically makes explorer the best file manager.
-[{{ https://files.catbox.moe/ouydo0.png|This is the rounded corners issue. Yes, they are perfectly aligned.}}]
+  * [[https://github.com/QL-Win/QuickLook|QuickLook]]
-  * [[https://www.nurgo-software.com/products/aquasnap?referrer=alternativeto|AquaSnap]]
+    * It's for previews in explorer and the like.
-    * Modifies the window manager to allow windows to snap to the edges and each-other.
+    * **Note**: PowerToys includes their own alternative to QuickLook and I'd recommend that over this. Partially because development of QuickLook has apparently stalled. QuickLook is also more resource-hungry than the PowerToys alternative.
-    * There's a paid version with a few extra features.
+  * [[https://windhawk.net|Windhawk]]
-    * If you install a theme with rounded corners, it will not work properly with AquaSnap.
+    * A tool that makes it easier to find, install and manage customizations for Windows and other applications.
+    * It's quite new so there aren't many mods yet.
 ==== Trivilinks ====
-  * There are other guides to ricing, but they're either severely lacking or outdated.
+  * There are other guides to ricing.
-    * [[https://ricing.chloechantelle.com/|chloechantelle]] - This one is broken for some reason.
+    * [[https://ricing.chloechantelle.com/|chloechantelle]] - This one is broken for some reason. This guide hasn't been updated in years.
-    * [[https://namazso.github.io/nanami-tan/|Nanami-tan guide]] - This one is still very much useful.
+    * [[https://namazso.github.io/nanami-tan/|Nanami-tan guide]] - This one is still very much useful. It is focused mostly on Windows 7 so it's a bit outdated.
+    * [[https://winclassic.github.io|WinClassic Guide]] - A guide to restoring the Classic Windows theme on the newer Windows versions. Includes links to other places, such as the WinClassic forums which also contains more software.
 {{tag>guides software}}