LiteStep
Change your world
Configure your modules with the Litestep Module Configurator
What is LiteStep?
Litestep is a shell replacement for Microsoft's Explorer. Originally,
litestep was intended to give Microsoft Windows users the look and feel
of the infamous interface of Linux, AfterStep. It is now a freeform desktop
made to look as far as the imagination can take it. It was created by Francis
Gastellu in late 1996 and released to the public in 1997. LiteStep is still
(and may always be) under beta stage development. Francis Gastellu no longer
works on the project. Instead, the LiteStep
Development Team will be making updates.
Features of Litestep:
Features
|
Explorer Resemblance
|
Wharf button bar |
Start Menu |
Pop Up Menus similar to AfterStep |
Right Click Menu |
MS PLUS! Themes Support
Litestep Theme Support |
MS PLUS! Themes Support |
Customizable taskbar w/ system tray |
Taskbar w/ system tray |
Support for customizing modules |
none (must use 3rd party apps) |
Screensaver Desktop |
closest thing is IE4 Active Desktop |
Virtual Desktops |
none (must use 3rd party apps) |
Scripting |
none |
HotKey support |
keyboard shortcut |
Why use LiteStep?
- You are sick and tired of unexplainable crashes and hangs with Explorer.
- You want a faster, less memory intensive desktop.
- You want an extremely customizable desktop.
- You like screensavers and want it on your desktop.
- You hate Microsoft and/or Bill Gates.
- You love free stuff.
- You like trying something new and different.
- You were a Linux user who loves Afterstep.
- You are curious.
How to set up LiteStep in Windows 98 (after a fresh installation and
assuming you installed Litestep to C:\Litestep):
-
- Run sysedit (it makes a back up of your *.ini files.)
- go to the system.ini file and change
'shell=explorer.exe' to
'shell=c:\litestep\litestep.exe' without the quotes.
- Unzip the files to c:\litestep. Remember to let it create new directories
- Logoff and Log back on and enjoy!
How to set up LiteStep in Windows NT/Win2K (after a fresh installation
and assuming you installed Litestep to C:\Litestep):
- Open regedit (or regedt32)
- HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Change the entry shell from explorer.exe to C:\Litestep\litestep.exe
There is another way to setup Litestep in Windows NT/Win2K which you can read
here.
I recommend you use a third party shell management tool such as ShellOn
or ShellLogon
Downloading Litestep
There are many different versions of Litestep. It's up to you to see what suites
you best. For first time users, try LSGL, LSD4P 1.3 Beta, or Structured LS.
Those are the recent releases. Also, if you are unsure if you have the MS C++,
download it and extract it to your Windows System directory.
Download LiteStep
Version |
Info/Homepage |
Download |
LS 3.02 |
Latest Litestep Installer |
Download |
LSGL |
Litestep GL (includes 10 Themes) |
Download |
LSD4P 1.3 Beta |
LS Distribution
4 the People |
Download |
LSD4P 1.2 |
LS Distribution
4 the People |
Download |
LS .24.5 Blue Void |
http://www.litestep.com/ |
Download |
LSNow! |
Litestep Now! |
Download |
V.23E |
Old version for you to toy with. |
Download |
Necessary Files
|
Description |
Download |
MS C++ Library |
A Necessary file if you don't have it: Extract
it to the Windows System directory. |
msvcp60.zip
|
Litestep Builds |
Origin |
Download |
None |
|
|
Thank you, Come Again
|