Admit it. Window’s user interface sucks. It may have been innovate when Windows 95 was released, but now it’s time for a change. Sure, Vista brought along a cool graphics upgrade, but the same inefficient, clunky interface is still there. A new project called Cairo aims to change that.

Cairo is a Windows shell alternative that will replace the default Windows shell. Some features include:

• Unique start-bar that makes reaching your files and programs easier.
• Multi-desktop support. Allows you to have multiple desktops on the same monitor. This may seem foreign to Windows users, but ask anyone with Linux and they’ll tell you how great this feature is.
• New file explorer.
• Customizable with plugins.

There’s no word yet on a release date, and development is in its earliest stages. Yesterday the creator of the project, Michael Ciarlo, announced that an alpha release would be available soon. However, it will mainly be comprised of the functional developments instead of flashy graphics. If you can’t wait for the full Cairo to be released, the developers have kindly posted some sample wallpapers for download.

Find out more at Cairo’s homepage.

Below are some concept pictures from the Cairo development team. Higher resolution versions may be downloaded from this page.