You could try the free version of Object Dock. It's easy to use and a very powerful piece of software.

If you want to keep it simple, try Fences.

Winstep has tons of features, I very much doubt you'll find something free and similar/better that is less cumbersome to use. One of the most difficult things to do when making complex software is making a simple solid UI. Not very many people have a professional UI designer in their closet. A professional UI takes alot of skill and effort to make, which in most cases developers of free software doesn't have/can't afford.

SharpEnviro    

GeoShell

You can design your own interface. There are many freewares...

Vista Start Menu(free edition),

DesktopX Gadgets or Yahoo Widgets

ObjectDock Free

Would you rate those to be easier to use than WinStep? I'm not so sure

I don't know but I have learnt that they are freeware shell replacements for windows like winstep. I have not tried them thats why I added no comments for them. He should see himself.

But I have tried winstep some 1 year back and I was not impressed by it at all. It wasn't for me. DesktopX, Fences and Windowblinds are much better eye-candies for me. The interface it gives can be achieved by freewares thats why I write...

I'll vote Object Dock too. Very usefull, free (free version, that is) and something to customize. It has "Can't do without" status.

thanks guys. i already use object dock but i wanted to spruce up my start bar (windows vista 32-bit) to make it look nicer. im new to the editing and skins i only started a few days ago (yes i am a n00b at this) and you guys are a real help thanks .

You could use VistaGlazz to patch your files and then download themes from deviant art for free. Most of those themes look great. I did it and it worked very well.

Here are two different themes I use on my vista. One is called smooth and the other one is windows seven.

Just remember. VistaGlazz only patches the files. After that you have to download the themes from deviantart. Vista themes, and you will need a free zip file program like 7zip to extract the downloaded files. Once you extract the files you have to copy the file (either 32bit or 64bit) and paste it in Windows/resources/themes folder. Sounds more difficult than it really is.

Oh yeh this does not slow down your pc at all. It's like running your normal setup. It's also free.

The upcoming Winstep will have the User Interface that Nexus Beta 6 has. You should download Nexus Beta 6 (it's like OD+) it's free, and take a look at the Preference interface...it's really great!

Jorge Coelho (the CodeMeister behind Winstep Extreme) has written in the Forums at Winstep.net that the UI will be tremendously simplified, and there'll be a separate control panel for skinners like WebGizmos.

Avail yourself! And if you email Jorge, he'll answer you honestly and you can take his answers and promises to the bank.

When you download the theme. It will be in a zip format. You have to unzip it with 7zip. After that, open the file. It usually contains 32 bit and 64 bit versions and sometimes a readme. Make sure that you copy only the file that contains a en-us file, a shell file and a windows visual style file, and use the version that pertains to your o/s. The just paste in windows/resources/themes.

You could use VistaGlazz to patch your files and then download themes from deviant art for free. Most of those themes look great. I did it and it worked very well.

I would not suggest the use of VistaGlazz to patch your files as whatever themes you will download and install (they all will show up as WindowsVista Aero in Personalization/ Themes and also later on when you will have many of them it will get confusing as the 3rd party themes will show the aero style in preview and if its not properly done, it can also cause explorer crashes.

If you want to use 3rd party themes, you should use Tune-up Styler

you wont' have to patch your files. Just download n apply themes like in windows blinds with the 'apply' button.

all the custom themes will show their own name in the Tune-up Styler.

there are other customization options too such as removing shortcut overlay on icons, startup bootscreen n logon, change startup windows logo, apply custom icon packages or create your own package from your favorite ones n lots more.

I don't remember these patchers, it's easy to mess up your PC and the themes are limited. 

If you want to really customize your desktop, go with WindowBlinds.  It's a small investment for something that will get a lot of use.

http://www.windowblinds.net

you can checkout some of my recent screenshots using 3rd party custom themes using tune-up Styler-

CleanAero Custom60'

SevenAurora Custom65'

Earth "Custom67"

Windows 8 Build7282

ID you are quite rite on da suggestion of windows blinds n obviously they are not even comparable to what Windows Blinds provide but da above suggestion was just about how to install a 3rd party custom theme without patching your system.

It works great for me. Also I think the themes I am using look way better.

Winstep just released today the first public beta of the Winstep Nexus dock (the web site is still being updated as I speak). It has an awsome new User Interface which is intuitive and easy to use (and features multi-language support!), and, apart from not supporting multi-dock and multi-level sub-docks, it's as powerful and complete as the Nexus version in Winstep Xtreme. Best of all, it's FREE!

You can watch a video of the new Winstep Nexus dock in action HERE (don't forget to click on the HD button for a really high definition version of the video). You can already download the stand alone Nexus dock from the Winstep web site.

I should have a proper announcement on the main page of Wincustomize soon, if I can get Spencer (IslandDog) to finally talk to me on MSN Messenger, that is.

Ah, here's a screenshot of the Winstep Nexus dock User Interface. Quite a step forward from the old Winstep Xtreme UI, don't you think?

Anyway, the whole Winstep Xtreme suite should be featuring this UI (and the same level of simplicity) just before the end of the month - I've been activelly working on it even as I prepared the 9.5 version (which is out since the begining of June but still features the old UI) for release.

Because of this, and ONLY until then, if you click on the Winstep Xtreme link in the About tab of Nexus Preferences you get a nice 50% off promotion.

So, if you want to put your hands on Winstep Xtreme for only $19.95 (and still get the same cool Nexus-style UI before the end of the month), now is your chance!!!

Oh yeah! The new UI's are looking real good in this now! Great job Jorge...and Jorge....and Jorge...and oh yeah...can't forget Jorge!

many thanks for the tip JcRabbit !!

apart the mirrored icons (similar to XWindows Dock) + the special effects for the whole dock (very peculiar)

I'm impressed by the adding sounds feature on each theme

just what I asked some times ago as a new feature on ObjectDock 2 !!

BTW i'll try to port my "Click&Drum" dockrama on Nexus just to hear the bass drum roll on clicking the icons