A new month means another new monthly desktop screenshot thread.  We already have a couple of pages of some cool desktop, so be sure to snap one of yours and post. June desktops - https://forums.wincustomize.com/445165/

It’s been a super busy week, and we have a nice long holiday weekend coming up.  We’ve had some great skins come in, so I wanted to take a moment to feature a few.  As always, hit the galleries to see all the other skins that came in that I didn’t have time to feature.   ...

PCPro has a great article up on how to make Windows 8 work on a desktop using Start8 and ModernMix. "In my opinion, the installation of ModernMix and Start8 – once they’re both properly finished – will be compulsory on all future Windows 8 desktops and Ultrabooks/laptops." Read more here - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/realworld/381952/start8-and-modernmix-making-windows-8-work-on-a-desktop

Today we updated your Object Desktop subscription with the WindowBlinds 7.90 beta. Featuring Windows ® 8 / 7 support, an all-new user interface and performance enhancements. Current Object Desktop subscribers Visit your Stardock account now to download the beta and you will also have free access to the final release version in the near future. Note: WindowBlinds 7.90 beta supports Windows 7 and 8 only. Info about upgrades for current WindowBlinds (non-Object Desktop) customers ...

Meridian is another Master skin from essorant that has gone free! Any WindowBlinds user should have this skin. https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/7052/  

Walt Mossbert from the Wall Street Journal takes a look at Windows 8 Start Menu replacements including Stardock’s popular Start8.  “This is a $5 utility I found to be the best I tried at simply restoring the old Start Menu. If the price deters you, there's a 30-day free trial. Start8 comes from a company called Stardock, which makes utilities and games. As soon as I downloaded and installed Start8, the old Start Menu was back.” Read the full review and see the...

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  We’re back to another week and to start off lets take a look at a few skins that came in over the past few days.  

A new beta build for Start8 is available now for download.  This contains a few minor updates. Fixes for inconsistencies with right Windows key handling ( https://forums.stardock.com/443386/page/1/#3348416 ) Resolved blank share with menu and open with menu not showing all the right items (Open With issue) Resolved a problem with jump lists and having a file in the list that was on a network location which was not available Resolved a problem with search where very ...

Lifehacker talks about some great Windows 8 apps, and how ModernMix helps you put them on the desktop! "The great thing about ModernMix is that it opens the door to so many of the awesome Windows 8 apps that are lurking in the WIndows Store to those who prefer using the desktop over the Start Screen." Read more:  http://lifehacker.com/the-best-windows-8-apps-you-can-run-on-your-desktop-477556232  

The DeskScapes gallery on WinCustomize gets a steady flow of submissions each week.  Lots of these are of landscapes and nature, but those also look and work well on the desktop.  I wanted to highlight some recent entries as DeskScapes is an awesome way to put some cool animation on your Windows desktop. DeskScapes animated wallpaper gallery - https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/dream Get DeskScapes - https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/ Recent submi...

Master skinner essorant has been making many of his previous Master WindowBlinds skins free for the community over the past several months.  These are all high-quality skins for WindowBlinds, and if you didn’t purchase them when they were premium skins, there’s no reason not to download them now. Get WindowBlinds here – www.windowblinds.net Here’s a few of the latest. Corsair   Intrada   Jakuta

We’ve had some real nice skins for WindowBlinds come in recently, and I wanted to highlight some in case you didn’t see them in the galleries.  You can view the entire WindowBlinds gallery here, I can’t feature them all here, but there’s always something to find when looking through the latest. Intrada This is a former Master Skin that essorant has released again for free.  I’ve used this skin in the past, and it’s still a great pick.   No...

PCWorld reviews ModernMix, and gives it a 4/5! "it reduces the number of times you have to traverse the two halves of Windows 8 (modern and classic), which is well worth the $5. Being able to run SkyDrive, Maps, Camera, and especially Solitaire in a window on the classic desktop is addictive (as well as more efficient) for desktop users. " Read more: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2033442/review-modernmix-runs-modern-ui-apps-in-windows.html  

PCWorld has posted their review of Fences 2 and gives it a score of 5 out of 5! “Fences was an excellent product to begin with , and Fences 2 keeps the good parts and largely manages to avoid bloat. I'm not convinced Folder Portals are all that useful, but Desktop Pages are a welcome addition, and feel fast and natural. Even if you're not the sort of user who enjoys having icons on your desktop, Fences 2 may convert you. Give it a shot.” Read the full review here. ...

Master Skinner LightStar has released another WindowBlinds skin called RacerX2.  This skin has lots of cool detail with a metal look and great highlights.  Be sure to give this one a try, and if you are a WinCustomize Subscriber you get a 20% discount! RacerX2 by LightStar