What is Nexus?

Nexus is a dock for Windows that gives you fast, organized access to your applications, documents and other frequently used items.

It replaces scattered desktop shortcuts with a clean, flexible interface that keeps everything within easy reach while enhancing your desktop with smooth animations and visual effects.

The free version of Nexus offers a powerful single dock, while Nexus Ultimate expands this into a complete desktop organization system with multiple docks, sub-docks, shelves, Grid Stacks and more.

*Nexus is free for personal use only. For business use, please click here.

Features	Free	Ultimate
Show running applications on the dock with grouping, filtering, and custom icons.
Display the system tray on the dock as single or grouped icons.
Blur-behind (Vista/7) and dock background colorization.
80+ built‑in commands (Sleep, Empty Recycle Bin, Power Off Monitor, and more).
Multiple animated effects for mouse‑over, launch, attention, and delete actions (zoom, swing, bounce, etc).
Live icon reflections and water‑style animations.
Built‑in support for animated icons.
Change shortcut and running-program icons by dropping PNG/ICO files onto them.
Minimize windows to the dock.
Full multi-monitor support.
High‑DPI and per‑monitor DPI support.
Compatible with skins from all major third‑party docks.
Eight built‑in modules: talking clock, recycle bin, email checker, weather, CPU, RAM, Net Meters, and Wanda the swimming “fortune cookie” fish.
Four extra modules: calendar, battery monitor, moon phase and disk meter.
Unlimited docks.
Organize shortcuts into nested sub‑docks.
Categorize applications using tabs on Shelves (tabbed docks with text labels).
Display shortcuts and folder contents on Drawers (single‑tab docks with text labels).
Instant folder access via Grid Stacks (Downloads, Documents, and more).
Launch multiple applications at once with Launch Pads.
Display folders, Desktop, This PC, Control Panel, and other system locations on Shelves, Drawers and Grid Stacks.
Reduce desktop clutter by hiding icons and using a shelf's Desktop tab instead.
One‑click theme switching through the Shelf’s Themes tab.
Additional animated mouse‑over, launch, attention, and delete effects.
Unlimited alarms, scheduled tasks, and reminders.
System tray customization with high‑resolution icons.

Features In Depth

Winstep Nexus Dock

Nexus provides fast, direct access to your most frequently used applications, documents and commands.

Items can be added easily via drag & drop from Explorer, the Desktop, the Windows Start Menu or other sources, and behave as launchable objects that can also accept files dropped onto them — for example, dropping a document onto an application icon will open it with that application. The Image used by a shortcut in the dock can also be quickly changed simply by dragging a .ICO, .PNG or .TIF file onto it.

Task Management

Nexus can display running applications directly on the dock, allowing it to function as a full taskbar replacement.

Tasks can be shown alongside your normal dock items, giving you immediate access to running applications from the same place you launch them.

Nexus also supports Windows Superbar-style task behavior, including Aero Peek where available, extending this experience even to older versions of Windows.

System Tray Integration

Nexus can display the system tray directly on the dock, making it possible to access notification icons without relying on the standard Windows taskbar.

Tray Icon Customization (Nexus Ultimate)

In Windows 11 23H2 Microsoft started using XAML Islands for the system tray, which broke compatibility with Win32 applications that retrieve tray icon data. Although access to the system tray is still possible from docks and other components, tray icon customization is no longer available in recent versions of Windows 11.

System tray icons are normally small (16x16) and can appear blurry when scaled. Nexus Ultimate allows you to replace them with high-resolution alternatives (on supported Windows versions), with a built-in set of enhanced tray icons included.

Modules (Widgets)

Nexus includes a range of useful iconic modules (widgets) that provide real-time information and system monitoring directly within your dock.

Available modules include a talking digital/analog clock with internet time synchronization, a recycler, an email checker with SSL and multi-account support, a weather module, CPU, Net and RAM meters — and even Wanda, a “fortune cookie” animated fish.

Modules are highly customizable and often support multiple display styles. For example, the clock can be shown in analog or digital form, while system meters such as CPU, RAM and Net can display information as histograms or gauges.

Because Nexus does not include desktop modules, modules appear in iconic form within the dock itself, where they remain integrated with the rest of your workspace.

Click here for a full description of Winstep's modules/widgets and what they do.

Additional Modules (Nexus Ultimate)

Nexus Ultimate adds even more monitoring and information modules, including Battery, Calendar, Moon Phases and Disk Meter modules.

These expand the built-in module set and give you more ways to monitor your system and access useful information directly from the dock.

Internal Commands

Nexus includes a large number of built-in internal commands that can be assigned to dock items, Grid Stacks, hotspots and other objects throughout the system.

These commands allow you to trigger system actions instantly without relying on external scripts or shortcuts. Available functions include operations such as showing the Windows Start Menu, emptying the Recycle Bin, powering off the monitor, controlling media playback, looking up an IP address and much more.

Click here for a full list of Winstep's internal commands and what they do.

Multiple Docks and Sub-Docks (Nexus Ultimate)

Nexus Ultimate expands on the basic dock concept by allowing you to create multiple docks and organize related items into sub-docks.

Any item in a dock can act as a container by opening a sub-dock, allowing you to group related applications, documents, folders and other objects under a single icon.

Sub-docks expand from their parent item and can themselves contain other sub-docks, with no limit to how deeply they can be nested, making it possible to build structured hierarchies while keeping the main dock clean and focused.

Shelves (Nexus Ultimate)

Shelves are much more than simple tabbed docks; they are tabbed containers where each tab represents a specific type of content or behavior.

There are different types of tabs. A tab can act as a regular container for applications, documents, folders and shortcuts, or it can dynamically display the contents of a system location such as the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Control Panel or any folder on your hard drive.

Some tab types provide live views into system data, such as running tasks, recent documents or the contents of the Recycle Bin. Folder-based tab types, such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads and Show Folder, act as direct windows into the underlying folders.

When interacting with folder-based tabs, you are working directly with the actual files — adding, removing, renaming or deleting items behaves exactly as it would in Windows. Items can also be dragged from these tabs to other folders, applications or even the Windows Desktop.

Items can be added to regular tabs via drag & drop from Explorer, the Desktop, the Windows Start Menu or other sources, and can be moved between tabs simply by dragging them from one tab to another.

This flexibility allows shelves to function both as powerful launchers and as direct interfaces to your system and file structure.

You can create as many shelves as you want with the built-in Dock and Shelves Manager, dock them to the screen edge of any monitor or leave them floating on your desktop. You can also add sub-docks and Grid Stacks to shelves:

Drawers (Nexus Ultimate)

A drawer is essentially a single-tab shelf — a hybrid between docks and shelves that combines the fast access of docks with the flexibility and content types of shelves.

Drawers are single-tab containers that appear as a row of icons and expand across the screen when opened.

Unlike shelves, drawers automatically expand to display all their content when clicked, provided it fits within the available screen space. Multiple drawers can also be open at the same time and left open, whereas shelves only display one active tab at a time.

Unlike docks, drawers can display text labels next to icons, making it possible to identify items without hovering. Labels below the icons are still optional, and drawers can be configured so that labels appear outside the drawer only when mousing over an icon.

Drawers are not limited to simple shortcuts. Like shelves, they can display special content such as the Windows Desktop, Control Panel, Recent Documents or the contents of any folder, acting as live views into those locations.

When a drawer contains more items than can fit on screen, it can be scrolled to access additional content.

When hidden, drawers collapse into a small tab rather than disappearing completely into the screen edge. This makes them easier to access without relying on screen edge activation, and they can reserve screen space so their tabs are never overlapped by maximized windows.

Grid Stacks (Nexus Ultimate)

Grid Stacks provide instant visual access to the contents of folders and system locations directly from a dock, shelf or drawer.

When clicked, a Grid Stack expands into a grid layout displaying its contents. You can browse, open and manage items directly, and drag & drop files into and out of Grid Stacks just as you would when working with normal folders.

Grid Stacks are not limited to physical folders. Using the same technology as shelves, they can also display virtual locations such as the Windows Desktop, Control Panel, Recent Documents, Applications, UWP Apps and more.

Everything that can be displayed in a shelf can also be displayed in a Grid Stack, making them a flexible way to access both files and system data.

Folder-based Grid Stacks act as live views into the underlying folders. Files can be added, removed, renamed or moved directly within the grid, with all changes reflected immediately in the actual folder.

Folders within a Grid Stack can also be opened as additional Grid Stacks instead of Explorer windows, allowing you to navigate your folder structure entirely through Grid Stacks.

Grid Stacks normally close automatically when you click elsewhere, but they can be detached and left open by dragging their tab header away from the parent icon. This allows you to keep multiple Grid Stacks open at once, for example to transfer files between them.

Launch Pads (Nexus Ultimate)

Launch Pads allow you to launch multiple applications, documents, URLs or internal commands with a single click, making it possible to start entire workflows instantly.

A Launch Pad is similar in form to a Grid Stack, but instead of displaying the contents of folders it contains a set of shortcuts that are all executed together. Unlike Grid Stacks, Launch Pads are limited to shortcut-based content and do not display dynamic or folder-based tab types.

Launch Pads can be added to docks, shelves, drawers or Grid Stacks and expand automatically as you drag items into them, making them quick and intuitive to set up.

Clicking a Launch Pad launches all its items at once, allowing you to open a complete working environment — for example development tools, documents and reference material — in a single action.

By default, items launched from a Launch Pad follow the global setting that prevents multiple instances of the same application. To force a new instance, you can launch the Launch Pad using the middle mouse button instead of the left button.

If any of the items in a Launch Pad requires elevation, enabling the “Run as Administrator” option for that item ensures that all required applications are launched correctly and that User Account Control prompts are handled properly during multi-application launches.

Search and Filter (Nexus Ultimate)

Search is built directly into shelves, drawers and Grid Stacks, allowing you to instantly filter their contents simply by typing.

As you type, items that do not match the search are filtered out in real time, making it easy to quickly locate applications, documents or other objects without leaving the current view.

Virtual File System Objects

Nexus integrates seamlessly with Windows virtual file system objects, allowing you to access and interact with system locations that are not part of the regular file system.

These include areas such as the Control Panel, This PC, Network, Printers, the Recycle Bin and other special Windows objects.

Virtual file system objects can be displayed in shelves, drawers and Grid Stacks just like normal folders, giving you direct access to system functionality without opening separate windows.

This allows you to browse, organize and interact with both files and system components in a consistent, unified way across your workspace.

Full Windows UWP App support

Nexus is unique in its category because it’s able to handle UWP apps in Windows like normal Win32 applications.

UWP apps can be added to docks, shelves, drawers and Grid Stacks just like any other application, allowing them to be launched, organized and managed consistently across your workspace.

Unlike most other dock applications, UWP app shortcuts in Nexus fully support drag & drop. You can drop documents directly onto a UWP app object and have the application open that document, just as you would expect with traditional desktop applications.

This seamless integration allows modern Windows apps to behave like native desktop applications, providing a consistent and predictable user experience across all application types.

Powerful Object Manipulation

Nexus provides powerful tools to create, transform and reorganize objects across the entire system.

Docks, shelves, sub-docks and Grid Stacks can be converted into one another, allowing you to adapt your workspace as your needs change. For example, docks can be turned into sub-docks, shelf tabs can be turned into docks, and folder shortcuts can be converted into Grid Stacks — and back again.

Sub-docks can even be temporarily converted into Grid Stacks to take advantage of features such as multi-selection and advanced item manipulation, then converted back once the changes are complete.

Entire objects — including everything nested inside them — can be duplicated, moved or restructured with ease, making it possible to reorganize even complex setups quickly and efficiently.

Object-based Drag & Drop

Nexus’ object-based interface makes drag & drop a fast and intuitive way to manage applications, files, printers and other objects.

Objects can be moved, copied or rearranged simply by dragging them from one location to another, both inside and outside of docks, shelves, drawers, Grid Stacks and other Nexus components.

Unlike many other dock applications, drag & drop in Nexus works in both directions. You can drag files from Explorer into Nexus objects or drag items from Nexus objects into Explorer folders or the Desktop, where they behave exactly as expected — creating or moving real files and shortcuts instead of removing them from their original location.

Under Nexus Ultimate entire objects — including docks, sub-docks and Grid Stacks — can also be dragged, copied or moved, along with everything nested inside them. This makes it possible to reorganize even complex setups quickly and efficiently.

Drag & drop can also be used to perform actions directly. Drop a document onto an application object and it will automatically open with that application, just as you would expect in Windows.

You can even change the image used by a shortcut in a dock, shelf or other object simply by dragging your favorite .ICO, .PNG or .TIF file onto it.

Keyboard Navigation

Docks, shelves and drawers can be brought to the foreground and their items launched using user-defined hotkeys, allowing fast access without relying on the mouse.

Full keyboard support makes Nexus ideal for Home Theater environments. Docks can be completely controlled using only the keyboard or remote controllers such as the Logitech Harmony, allowing you to navigate and launch applications from a distance with ease.

Live Icon Reflections

Nexus can display realistic live reflections beneath dock icons, adding depth and a polished, modern look to your desktop.

Reflections dynamically mirror each icon and update in real time, creating a visually rich effect that remains consistent as icons change.

Nexus is unique in its category in offering true live icon reflections, setting it apart from other dock applications that rely on static or simulated effects.

This feature is fully configurable and can be enabled or disabled at any time, allowing you to balance visual style and performance according to your preferences.

Special Effects

Nexus features a powerful and highly customizable system of icon and interface effects that respond dynamically to user interaction.

Different actions — such as mouseover, selection, launch, attention requests or item deletion — can each trigger their own visual effects, providing immediate and intuitive feedback.

A wide range of effects is available, including icons zooming, bouncing, glowing, rocking, swinging, squishing, spinning or even exploding, as well as smooth shifting animations when items are inserted or rearranged.

Advanced “fluid” effects make docks and icons behave like liquid surfaces, creating a unique and dynamic feel that goes far beyond traditional desktop interfaces.

Animations are also applied to menus and other interface elements, and can be complemented by optional sound effects for specific events.

All effects are fully configurable, allowing you to fine-tune or disable them to match your preferred balance between visual style and performance.

Additional Visual Effects (Nexus Ultimate)

Nexus Ultimate adds even more mouse-over, launch, attention and delete effects on top of the wide selection already provided by the free version of Nexus.

Blur Behind (Windows 7)

Automatically blurs the background of semi-transparent docks, creating a modern glass-like appearance.

Due to changes in Windows 10 and later, the operating system no longer supports blur effects on irregularly shaped windows. As a result, blur behind is limited to rectangular areas in these versions of Windows.

Built-in Animated Icon Support

Nexus supports animated icons, allowing items in docks, shelves, drawers and other components to display motion and dynamic visual feedback.

Animated icons can be used alongside the built-in effects system to create a more engaging and responsive desktop experience.

This feature integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Winstep environment, enhancing both usability and visual appeal without requiring additional tools.

Multi-Monitor and Per-Monitor High DPI support

Nexus fully supports multi-monitor environments, allowing you to create docks, shelves and other objects on any screen and organize your workspace across multiple displays.

The application is also fully per-monitor DPI aware, ensuring that each monitor is rendered at the correct scale independently. This means Nexus looks sharp and consistent even when using displays with different resolutions and DPI settings.

Objects can be positioned, sized and configured individually on each monitor, giving you complete control over how your workspace is arranged across your entire desktop.

This allows you to take full advantage of modern high-resolution and mixed-DPI setups without visual inconsistencies or scaling issues.

Automatic Multi-Monitor Profiles (Nexus Ultimate)

Nexus Ultimate automatically adapts your workspace to different monitor configurations, screen resolutions and DPI settings using built-in multi-monitor profiles.

You can have completely different layouts depending on your current setup. For example, when using a laptop on its own you might only display a single dock, but when connecting an external monitor additional docks or shelves can automatically appear on the second screen.

Profiles control not only which objects are enabled or disabled, but also their exact position on each monitor. This ensures your workspace always looks and behaves as intended, without objects being moved or rearranged unexpectedly when monitors are added or removed.

Profile switching requires no user intervention. As your display configuration changes, Nexus Ultimate automatically saves the state and position of all screen objects for that specific setup, and restores them when you return to it.

Screen Space Management

Nexus allows docks, shelves and other components to reserve screen space, preventing maximized windows from overlapping them.

When screen space is reserved, applications automatically adjust their size and position to respect these areas, ensuring that your workspace remains accessible and unobstructed.

Nexus components can also be configured to either respect or ignore reserved screen space. For example, a dock positioned on the same edge as the Windows taskbar can either sit above it (respecting reserved space) or overlap it completely, depending on your preference.

This system works seamlessly across multiple monitors, allowing you to maintain a clean, organized and fully customizable workspace.

Efficient Use of Screen Space

Everything in Nexus is designed to minimize screen usage when not in use. Docks attached to screen edges can auto-hide until needed, while floating docks can collapse into a single control tile and un-collapse on demand.

This allows you to keep your desktop clear while still having instant access to everything you need.

Document Thumbnails

Documents, pictures and video files in docks, menus and shelves can be displayed as thumbnails, making it easy to visually identify files at a glance without relying on file names alone.

Alarm Manager and Task Scheduler

The built-in Alarm Manager is far more than a simple reminder tool — it is a powerful and flexible task scheduler that can automate actions and notifications based on your own schedule.

You can create one-time, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly alarms with highly customizable scheduling options. Alarms can be used to display reminders, launch applications or execute internal commands, making it easy to automate both simple and complex tasks.

The free version of Nexus supports a single alarm, while Nexus Ultimate supports an unlimited number of alarms.

Alarm notifications are highly customizable. You can play individual audio files or full playlists, and use alarms to create wake-up or sleep scenarios that integrate with Nexus’ built-in media capabilities.

Built-in Media Player

Nexus includes a lightweight built-in media player that integrates seamlessly with the rest of the system.

It supports playlists and common audio formats, and can be controlled directly from alarm reminders, internal commands and other Winstep components.

The media player can be used independently or as part of automated workflows, such as wake-up alarms and sleep timers, providing a smooth and integrated audio experience.

Complete Customization

Virtually every aspect of Nexus can be customized, from appearance and layout to behavior and interaction, allowing you to tailor the desktop environment to your exact needs and preferences.

Quality and Performance Tested

Nexus has been extensively tested by a large and dedicated user base, ensuring a stable, reliable and high-performance experience across a wide range of systems.

Ready to Transform Your Desktop Experience?

Download Nexus for free or upgrade to Nexus Ultimate to unlock advanced features and full customization.