1
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Manifest Creator is Microsoft’s command-line tool for creating Windows Package Manager manifests, also known as wingetcreate.
Alternatives
The Best DWM Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives1 free · 23 open source
Looking for something like DWM? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 1 are free or have a free plan and 23 are open source.
dwm-win32 is a port of the X11 dwm window manager to Microsoft Windows.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionManifest CreatorManifest Creator is Microsoft’s command-line tool for…Free or freemium optionWhyNotWin11WhyNotWin11 detects why a PC may not meet Windows 11…Another optionWhy Is This Running?witr traces processes, ports, containers, or files back to…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manifest Creator | — | Yes | Windows |
| 2 | Why Is This Running? | — | Yes | — |
| 3 | Power Toys | — | Yes | Windows |
| 4 | Terminal | — | Yes | Windows |
| 5 | OfflineInsiderEnroll | — | Yes | Windows |
| 6 | Winbindex | — | Yes | Windows |
| 7 | Winget Cli | — | Yes | Windows |
| 8 | GlazeWM | — | Yes | macOS, Windows |
| 9 | Baulk | — | Yes | Windows |
| 10 | Whim | — | Yes | Windows |
All DWM alternatives
2
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
witr traces processes, ports, containers, or files back to what started them through command-line and text interfaces.
3
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of Windows utilities for productivity and customization, according to its repository description.
4
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Microsoft Terminal combines the new Windows Terminal and the original Windows console host in one project.
5
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
OfflineInsiderEnroll enables access to the Windows Insider Program on machines not signed in with a Microsoft account.
6
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Winbindex indexes Windows binaries and links to files hosted on Microsoft's public symbol server.
7
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
WinGet is the Windows Package Manager command-line interface, with PowerShell modules and related tools in the project.
8
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
GlazeWM provides a tiling window manager for macOS and Windows, inspired by i3wm.
9
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Baulk provides a minimal package manager for Windows, according to its repository description.
10
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Whim provides a pluggable and scriptable dynamic window manager for Windows.
11
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Hok reimplements Scoop as a command-line package manager written in Rust; its repository notes that development is ongoing.
12
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
UniGetUI provides a graphical interface for managing package managers, according to its repository description.
13
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
CopyQ is a clipboard manager with editing and scripting features, according to its repository description.
14
Busybox W32
gitlab.com/rmyorston/busybox-w32BusyBox for Windows is a native Win32 port of BusyBox, which bundles common Unix tools into a single binary.
15
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
The Fido PowerShell script downloads Windows or UEFI Shell ISO files and is designed primarily for Rufus.
16
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Explorer Tab Utility adds tab-management functions to Windows 11 File Explorer, including opening windows as tabs and restoring closed tabs.
17
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
This wrapper script supports Windows 10 and 11 media creation, with deployment automation features described in its project summary.
18
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Wox provides an open-source launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux, according to its project page.
19
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Total Registry is an enhanced Windows Registry editor and viewer intended as a replacement for Regedit.
20
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project · free
WhyNotWin11 detects why a PC may not meet Windows 11 release requirements and includes update checks.
21
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
7+ Taskbar Tweaker lets users configure Windows taskbar behavior on Windows 7, 8, and 10.
22
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
SmartSystemMenu extends the system menu of Windows windows with custom items, including an information view.
23
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
Volumey controls Windows audio through a volume mixer with configurable global hotkeys.
24
Also covers open source · same kind of open-source project
QuickLook brings the macOS Quick Look feature to Windows, according to its repository description.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
SmartSystemMenu24 alternativesOfflineInsiderEnroll24 alternativesMediaCreationTool24 alternativesRegExp24 alternativesWhyNotWin1124 alternatives7 Taskbar Tweaker24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to DWM?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to DWM are Manifest Creator, Why Is This Running?, and Power Toys.
Is there a free alternative to DWM?
Yes. WhyNotWin11 is free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to DWM?
Yes: Manifest Creator, Why Is This Running?, Power Toys, and Terminal.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative