Software Alternatives & Startups

xfce-panel VS ShellNewHandler

Compare xfce-panel VS ShellNewHandler and see what are their differences

xfce-panel

Xfce componet to switch between opened windows, launch applications, switch workspaces and menu plugins to browse applications or directories.

Rating
0 reviews
ShellNewHandler

SourceForge.net: ShellNewHandler details page

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, ShellNewHandler seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 2
App Launcher popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

x
xfce-panel
ShellNewHandler
Website docs.xfce.org sourceforge.net
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

x
xfce-panel 5 features
ShellNewHandler 0 features
  • Lightweight
    Xfce-panel is designed to be lightweight, making it an ideal choice for systems with limited resources or users looking for a fast and efficient desktop environment.
  • Highly Configurable
    Users can easily configure the xfce-panel to suit their needs by adding, removing, or rearranging applets and components.
  • Plugin Support
    Xfce-panel supports numerous plugins, allowing users to extend its functionality with additional features like weather updates, system monitoring, and more.
  • Stable and Reliable
    Xfce-panel is known for its stability and has a long history of reliable service, making it a dependable component for daily use.
  • Consistent User Experience
    The panel offers a consistent and intuitive user experience that aligns with the overall design philosophy of the XFCE desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Eye Candy
    Xfce-panel is designed with performance in mind, leading to a more simplistic visual appearance which may not appeal to users who prefer more visually rich environments.
  • Less Modern Look
    Compared to other desktop environments, the xfce-panel might appear somewhat dated, which may not be ideal for users seeking a modern aesthetic.
  • Fewer Advanced Features
    While it covers the basics well, xfce-panel might lack some of the advanced features found in panels from other desktop environments like GNOME or KDE.
  • Limited Development Speed
    The development pace of Xfce-panel can be slower compared to other popular desktop panels, which might delay the introduction of new features.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

x
xfce-panel
ShellNewHandler

Overall verdict

  • Xfce Panel is a lightweight, highly configurable, and stable desktop panel that is an excellent choice for users seeking a fast and efficient Linux desktop experience without sacrificing customization.

Why this product is good

  • Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient, making it ideal for older or low-spec hardware
  • Highly customizable with support for multiple panels, sizes, positions, and orientations
  • Rich plugin ecosystem including launchers, system monitors, workspace switchers, and notification areas
  • Mature and stable codebase with well-maintained documentation at docs.xfce.org
  • Integrates seamlessly with the broader Xfce desktop environment
  • Free and open-source software

Recommended for

  • Users with older or resource-constrained computers
  • Linux enthusiasts who value speed and responsiveness
  • People who want a highly configurable and traditional desktop layout
  • Xfce desktop environment users seeking a native panel solution
  • Developers and power users who prefer a customizable, plugin-driven panel

Overall verdict

  • ShellNewHandler is a niche, lightweight utility hosted on SourceForge designed to give users more control over the Windows 'New' context menu (the ShellNew menu). It can be considered good for its specific narrow use case, but it is an older, minimally maintained tool that may not suit all users, especially those on modern Windows versions.

Why this product is good

  • Provides direct control over customizing the Windows right-click 'New' menu, allowing users to add or remove file type entries
  • Lightweight and free, without bundled bloatware typical of some other free utilities
  • Simple and focused in scope, making it easy to understand for its specific purpose
  • Open distribution via SourceForge allows transparency and no-cost access

Recommended for

  • Power users who want to declutter or customize the Windows New context menu
  • IT administrators managing standardized desktop environments across multiple machines
  • Users comfortable with older utility-style tools and Windows registry-related tweaks
  • Not recommended for casual users seeking modern, actively supported software with regular updates

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
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xfce-panel
ShellNewHandler
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using xfce-panel and ShellNewHandler. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

x
xfce-panel 0 mentions
ShellNewHandler 2 mentions

Tracking xfce-panel since Jun 2025.

  • I recently got libreoffice, but now the new option in right click looks like a mess. Can someone help me get rid of them please?
    Use Shell New Handler. Run the portable app and simply untick the items you don't want to appear in your new context menu. Source: about 4 years ago
  • This menu should be easy to add/remove programs to... Who is really creating Access Databases from this menu often enough to keep it here? (Not me!) Is there an easy way to edit this?
    I've always used ShellNewHandler for this. It's a really simple portable utility that allows you to remove most of the items from that menu. Tested it out on Windows 11 and it's still compatible. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to xfce-panel and ShellNewHandler

When comparing xfce-panel and ShellNewHandler, you can also consider the following products.