Few questions before purchase

from Stardock Forums

Hi, I'm just about ready to purchase windowblinds 7. I have a few questions beforehand however.

 

1. I purchased Object Desktop years ago. Does Stardock still remove your ability to download purchased programs / keys after 1 year? If I buy windowblinds, am I only buying a 1 year subscription?

 

2. Will there be a Windowblinds 8? Windows 8 will be releasing rather soon, and I would be disappointed if I needed to repurchase the software all over again in a few months. I don't see any real changes in the explorer shell for windows 8 compared to 7, so perhaps they will simply update windowblinds 7 to be compatible?

 

Thanks!

windowblinds
2,813 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

1. Stardock currently is using two methods to download software: The first, for people with current subscriptions is through Impulse (the download and update platform sold recently to GameStop). The second is through the "Store" located here: https://store.stardock.com/login.aspx

Login is with the email from which you bought your subscription. Your password is what it is.

These two methods will be replaced with a "simple, unobtrusive download app" in the future, date uncertain.

As long as you download and archive both your software and installer, you should have no problems restoring things. I'd also suggest saving these things on an external drive. Also, if you clone your drive to the external, you should avoid all problems.

I'd suggest putting a "tickler" on your calendar to make sure you download and archive the latest stable update to your software before your subscription times out (if you're not planning on renewing). You are entitled to all updates between major version changes during that year. Generally, though. Stardock is generous in interpreting that. Say they update to WB8 within a few months of your purchase... they won't stick you for an additional fee for the upgrade. That's just my experience, though. I am not a Stardock employee nor do I represent Stardock.

2. Eventually, yes. I doubt it'll be anytime soon, though. Again, refer to my thoughts in 1.

 

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Doc about covered it ,but the short answers;

1: Yes, an ODNT sub is just that, a subscription for one year that gets you all updates and/or new versions during that year. If you buy WindowBlinds as a stand-alone you get all updates up to the next version number. 7.xxx up to 8.0

 Either way, it's always best for the end user to archive or back-up your software.

2: Maybe,maybe not. Windows 8 Metro is so incredibly beautiful, no one may want to skin it, so WB's will be obsolete.:rofl:

 

 

Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 2
so WB's will be obsolete
End of Wizard1956's quote

That violates the Stardock TOS under item number 2,725,884 version 1.8.21289911

Thou shalt not spread doom and gloom on the future of WindowBlinds!

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 2
2: Maybe,maybe not. Windows 8 Metro is so incredibly beautiful, no one may want to skin it, so WB's will be obsolete
End of Wizard1956's quote

Never. Shame on you. :rolleyes:

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

:blush: Oops! 

 :w00t:

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If I buy windowblinds, am I only buying a 1 year subscription?
End of quote

If you purchase WindowBlinds 7 outright as you stated, you will be purchasing that version of the product and it should be good forever. You may have to pay an upgrade charge to the next version, WindowBlinds 8 depending on when it comes out. In the past, purchasers of a product were upgraded for free if their purchases were within a certain time frame from when the new version is released.

From the purchase FAQ page:

Minor version updates to other products (like WindowBlinds) are made available to registered users at no charge. For instance, if you purchased WindowBlinds 1.0 you would have had access to over 6 updates at no charge. Only major version changes (like moving from WindowBlinds 6.x to WindowBlinds 7.0) will have an upgrade charge.