ModernMix 1.14 Beta with Windows 8.1 Update 1 Support Now Available

The ModernMix 1.14 Beta with support for Windows 8.1 Update 1 is available now for download.

Registered users can download the latest beta from their store accounts page at http://download.stardock.com. New users can begin a 30-day, fully functional trial of ModernMix by downloading https://stardock.cachefly.net/ModernMix_1.14_beta_setup.exe.

 New in this update:

  • Performance optimizations and fixes for Windows 8.1 Update [April 2014]
  • Added option to suppress overlay when running full-screen Modern apps
  • Added support for windowed apps to continue to play sound on x86 (was already present on x64)
  • Please note that taskbar items that were pinned prior to Windows 8.1 Update 1 will need to be recreated after the ModernMix upgrade install finshes (needs a reboot to complete).

 

32,980 views 43 replies
Reply #1 Top

Thanks will give it a try...just looked 8.1 update 1 isn't available yet on Windows update. Just rechecked it is now up....

Reply #3 Top

>:( i don't understand what did this update do because to me it did nothing!!! the windows 8.1 update 1 close and minimize button is still there with "modernmix" and if i close it with the win 8.1 update 1 close button it stays on the background how i know this because i use task manager to see what in the background:annoyed: why stardock didn't fix this issue thats the first thing they should of done and windows mode on modernmix don't even work with win 8.1 update 1 doesn't close the metro apps it stays on the taskbar smh!!.......

 

Reply #4 Top

Quoting jessie10133, reply 3

i don't understand what did this update do because to me it did nothing!!! the windows 8.1 update 1 close and minimize button is still there with "modernmix" and if i close it with the win 8.1 update 1 close button it stays on the background how i know this because i use task manager to see what in the background why stardock didn't fix this issue thats the first thing they should of done and windows mode on modernmix don't even work with win 8.1 update 1 doesn't close the metro apps it stays on the taskbar smh!!.......

 
End of jessie10133's quote

Please contact Microsoft regarding their close button leaving apps running.  This is a design decision they made for their button.

Regarding closing the apps, as long as you do not have the option to leave the app in the left hand switcher list when closed, the app should vanish from the taskbar.

Reply #5 Top

Hi running this beta on my dell tablet with the Windows 8.1 Update 1. So far so good, the added x86 background audio support is much appreciated and definitely worth the $5 spent.

One issue I've run into however: Previously, when ModernMix utilized its own mechanism for pinning modern apps to the taskbar, I was able to pin the Modern version of Internet Explorer.

 

However now with the spring update and this beta relying on the OS's own taskbar pinning functionality, I cannot find any way at all to pin the modern version of Internet Explorer. The OS treats the modern/desktop version of IE as the same program when trying to pin it. Likewise while Modern IE is running windowing, the only right-click option available from its taskbar icon is "close".

Would it be possible in any way to program an option in modernmix to make this work?

Reply #6 Top

@Neil

 

I'm afraid I have some news for you.  When I took modern-mix off my machine there is not problem closing the apps with windows red X.  When I install it it adds another icon (restore down/maximize) to Microsoft's bar at the top and then it doesn't close apps anymore.

Reply #7 Top

Quoting lwetzel, reply 6

@Neil

 

I'm afraid I have some news for you.  When I took modern-mix off my machine there is not problem closing the apps with windows red X.  When I install it it adds another icon (restore down/maximize) to Microsoft's bar at the top and then it doesn't close apps anymore.
End of lwetzel's quote

The close button on the MS bar will do exactly the same thing with or without ModernMix installed.  They typically remain in the taskmanager list and only vanish from the taskbar (i.e. fake closed).

There are some people reporting an unrelated issue with Windowed apps not vanishing from the taskbar when the app is closed from the X on the windowed app titlebar and this is not by design and we are trying to find out what is different between peoples machines as this is not happening on any of our systems.

Reply #8 Top

Windows 8.1 x64 Update 1, ModernMix 1.14 Beta.

CPU: i7-2700k

 

This very often happens with my comp. configuration:


Description

A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows.

Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\ModernMix\MMixConfig.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: AppHangB1

Application Name: MMixConfig.exe

Application Version: 1.1.4.0

Application Timestamp: 5342cbbf

Hang Signature: 4f8f

Hang Type: 134217728

OS Version: 6.3.9600.2.0.0.256.103

Locale ID: 1026

Additional Hang Signature 1: 4f8f7f570f414544b0fd0342d802ba94

Additional Hang Signature 2: 962a

Additional Hang Signature 3: 962a2ded51da32e053555d649cde1ddc

Additional Hang Signature 4: 4f8f

Additional Hang Signature 5: 4f8f7f570f414544b0fd0342d802ba94

Additional Hang Signature 6: 962a

Additional Hang Signature 7: 962a2ded51da32e053555d649cde1ddc

Extra information about the problem

Bucket ID: 8c2d842b87635752ca1391cdb3304e1d (50)

Reply #9 Top

Quoting plamen72, reply 8

Windows 8.1 x64 Update 1, ModernMix 1.14 Beta.

CPU: i7-2700k

 

This very often happens with my comp. configuration:




Description

A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows.

Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\ModernMix\MMixConfig.exe

End of plamen72's quote

What are you doing in the config when it hangs?

Reply #10 Top

In App Settings I look at the list with Metro programs and... program (ModernMix) freezes . :)

P.S. Or look at the other menus. :(

Becomes randomly.


Reply #11 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 7
There are some people reporting an unrelated issue with Windowed apps not vanishing from the taskbar when the app is closed from the X on the windowed app titlebar and this is not by design and we are trying to find out what is different between peoples machines as this is not happening on any of our systems.
End of Neil's quote

Count me in on the group of people who have this issue.

OK, so I have the "Keep closed applications in the Windows 8 left hand app switcher list" under ModernMIX Advanced Setting unchecked.  I also have the "Show Windows Store apps on the taskbar" checked under Taskbar and Navigation properties.  Now, if I uncheck the "Show Windows Store apps on the taskbar" setting Metro app icons don't stay in the taskbar when you close them but the side effect is that when a Metro app is open it doesn't show an icon for it in the taskbar at all which is not good.  It however does have an icon when you pin it to the taskbar but I don't want a ton of pinned Metro apps just to get around this bug.

Reply #12 Top

For those who are having the apps left running issue, what other software are you running?  Please include any explorer extensions, apps like Start8, apps like ultramon / displayfusion etc.

Also how many monitors do you have and what video card?

Finally how long had the app been open for?  If you open an app and wait a minute and then close it does the problem still happen?

Reply #13 Top

Windows 8.1 x64 Update 1 (all updates), English/Bulgarian;

Nvidia GTX 560 SLI, Driver 337.50 Beta;

ESET Smart Security 7;

Start8;

WindowBlinds 8.03;

Deskscapes;

Fences;

Launch8;

Decor8;

Tiles;

ObjectDock;

 

Monitor - 1;

Windows tmp and temp dir on RAMDisk (4GB RAM);

16GB RAM;

 

Only ModernMix 1.12, 1.14 Beta hangs!

 

P.S. I found the application which creates a problem with ModernMix 1.12, 1.14 Beta - ObjectDock last ver. :) I have no idea why.

 

 

Reply #14 Top

Just installed today -- mostly works really well, but I noticed that there's some weird behavior when a modern app is maximized but still windowed (i.e. what normally happens when a desktop app is maximized). Specifically, if I move my mouse cursor to the top and then quickly try to drag down, I start the process of closing the app (i.e. what normally happens when I drag a modern app from the top of the screen downward). However, if I let the mouse cursor linger for a little bit and THEN try to drag down, the app will de-maximize and function like a regular desktop window (i.e. what I actually expect to happen).

Hope this gets resolved once 1.14 is out of beta. Otherwise, pretty happy with this.

Reply #15 Top

"Neil"

:grin: Thanks for your help as 4 the option on leaving apps in the left hand switcher list when closed on modernmix is already off that option come with modernmix off i know this is a beta update but is the next update for modernmix gonna come with a option to turn off the win 8.1 update 1 close and minimize buttons and only use modernmix because modernmix does the job right it closes the apps without staying in the background and the win 8.1.1 close and minimize buttons is there 4 no reason i got modernmix why would i want two close and maximize,minimize buttons there the win8.1.1 and the modernmix ones... 

Reply #16 Top

Ok.  I am observing how ModernMix 1.14 Beta is working on my machine. 

 

  1. I have ModernMix set  to
    •   √  Show ModernMix control overlay in the top right corneer to switch modes.            <== Checked
    •          Hide the overlay when running in a window (Ctrl + Maximize for fullscreen)       <== Not Checked
    •          Make the overlay invisible unless the mouse is over it                                   <== Not Checked
  2. I bring up an app and the ModernMix overlay is in the top right corner as expected.
  3. Push cursor all the way to top of screen and get the New Windows 8.1 update 1 Title bar which now has a maximize/Restore button that is not there before I installed ModernMix 1.14. 
  4. If I click this button it will make a typical Maximized window (the ModernMix overlay is still there).
  5. If I click the Red X window closes but on Status bar is the icon for the running program. but it does not show up in the running apps for Task Manager.
  6. Click the icon on the status bar and right back to Maximised window.
  7. Click the Modermix Overlay to go to full screen and the app goes to full screen diappears from task bar and shows up in task manager. 
  8. Shove the cursor to top of screen and get New Windows 8.1 update 1 Title bar with the maximize/Restore button.
  9. Click the Red X and looks like it closes with no icon in task bar BUT it still shows in Task Manager. 
  10. Choose switch to in Task Manager and app is back up full screen with ModernMix overlay in top right.  
  11. In the overlay I click Red X and app closes, is not on task bar and not in Task Manager. 

Funkey....No?

Reply #17 Top

Quoting lwetzel, reply 16

Ok.  I am observing how ModernMix 1.14 Beta is working on my machine. 

 


I have ModernMix set  to

  √  Show ModernMix control overlay in the top right corneer to switch modes.            <== Checked
         Hide the overlay when running in a window (Ctrl + Maximize for fullscreen)       <== Not Checked
         Make the overlay invisible unless the mouse is over it                                   <== Not Checked

I bring up an app and the ModernMix overlay is in the top right corner as expected.
Push cursor all the way to top of screen and get the New Windows 8.1 update 1 Title bar which now has a maximize/Restore button that is not there before I installed ModernMix 1.14. 
If I click this button it will make a typical Maximized window (the ModernMix overlay is still there).
If I click the Red X window closes but on Status bar is the icon for the running program. but it does not show up in the running apps for Task Manager.
Click the icon on the status bar and right back to Maximised window.
Click the Modermix Overlay to go to full screen and the app goes to full screen diappears from task bar and shows up in task manager. 
Shove the cursor to top of screen and get New Windows 8.1 update 1 Title bar with the maximize/Restore button.
Click the Red X and looks like it closes with no icon in task bar BUT it still shows in Task Manager. 
Choose switch to in Task Manager and app is back up full screen with ModernMix overlay in top right.  
In the overlay I click Red X and app closes, is not on task bar and not in Task Manager. 

Funkey....No?
End of lwetzel's quote

What language version of Windows are you using and any other running apps?

Reply #19 Top

 

@Neil

 

English

Start8

Decor8

Launch8

 

Was running ObjectDock but saw someone say that was suspect so have it shutdown at the moment.

Reply #20 Top

can anyone please!! tell me how to turn off Windows 8.1 update 1 new Title bar i dont need it i got Object Desktop that comes with modernmix and ObjectDock

Reply #21 Top

I uninstalled ClassicShell to make sure that wasn't interfering with it.  Well, that didn't work.

I open a windowed Metro app and then close it, the icon in the taskbar is still there.  I have to come down to the taskbar, hover my mouse over the icon, and then close it that way using the pop-up mini-window that appears.

Reply #23 Top

can Someone PLEASE!! tell me how to turn off Windows 8.1 update 1 new Title bar i dont need it i got Object Desktop that comes with modernmix and ObjectDock