ShadowFX no longer working properly in Windows 10

from Stardock Forums

ShadowFX shadow only appears at bottom of window now.  Sides and top are MS 10's built in shadow.  I've tried it with the more recognisable shadows (neon etc) and it's definitely just at the bottom of the window.  I've already tried reinstalling shadowFX and no difference.  It was working for a while, until a few iterations of 10 ago.  I'm on preview build 11082.

36,209 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Are you also using WindowBlinds? I don't think they work together.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks, but I uninstalled WindowBlinds and rebooted,  - no joy.  (BTW, It seems crazy that they'd be incompatible.)

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well, most WindowBlinds skins have their own set of shadows. It's not that they're "incompatible" so much as they are redundant.  ;)

 

Since you uninstalled WindowBlinds and are still having trouble, I'd guess that some parts of WindowBlinds may still be present, causing your problems.

 

I'd submit a ticket at the below link, let them maybe give you the purge windowblinds.bat file, and try again.

 

https://esupport.stardock.com/index.php?/Tickets/Submit

 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

This may be related to the newer early beta build of Windows 10 you are using.

I have this installing on a box right now so I will see if I can reproduce.

Regarding WB and ShadowFX.  Both can be installed on the same PC just fine, but ShadowFX will disable itself of a WB theme is in use as it only alters the shadows of the default theme so does nothing with a WB theme.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I can confirm this was related to the newer build of Windows 10 you are using and we have it fixed internally and the next update will contain this fix.

Obviously using the fast track insider builds increases your risk of hitting problems like this, but thanks for reporting it to us.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Great news.  Many thanks. Another good reason to leave the Insider Build program.  Thanks again.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Turned out to be an issue with the version of Windows 10 I was using (Insider Build program).  Stardock/Neil Banfield has resolved it and it will pushed out with the next update.  Thanks for your help.

Reply #8 from LittleTinyFrogs Forums Top

Situation is more than stupid. I'm using WindowBlinds 10 and I have several styles with shadows. But they're NOT WORKING! No shadowFX/disable WindowFX - NO GOOD. Adding Shadow images or use default state in SkinStudio - NO RESULT. 

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Easy, killer.  A little more detail information and a little less pointless attitude would help immensely.

That assumes you want a resolution to your issue.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ElectroSelf, reply 8

Situation is more than stupid. I'm using WindowBlinds 10 and I have several styles with shadows. But they're NOT WORKING! No shadowFX/disable WindowFX - NO GOOD. Adding Shadow images or use default state in SkinStudio - NO RESULT. 
End of ElectroSelf's quote

What skins?

What version of Win10?

What version of WB?

Please post screenshots.

 

Reply #11 from LittleTinyFrogs Forums Top

"What skins?" - Any having shadows applied to frames.

"What version of Win10 & WB?"

WB - PREVIEW                                           DESKTOP

WB - PREVIEW                                           DESKTOP

Even with disabled (in Skin Studio) shadows cannot apply ShadowFX options.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It seems to me that the answer to your problem is in your own screenshot.

Read the text at the bottom of your last screenshot.

 

Custom shadows are disabled when a WindowBlinds skin is applied.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

You may be using older skins which did not define their own shadows but tried to use the OS ones.  If so those shadows are not provided on Windows 8 or Windows 10 and the skin would show without shadows.

If you try the Corporate skin included with WindowBlinds do you get shadows on the desktop?

ShadowFX will not function with WindowBlinds running.  This is because the OS shadows are designed to only work with the specific shape and style of the OS theme.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

electroself,

 

Quoting Neil, reply 13

ShadowFX will not function with WindowBlinds running.
End of Neil's quote

Reply #15 from LittleTinyFrogs Forums Top

"ShadowFX will not function with WindowBlinds running." WITH WINDOWBLINDS, not with skin applied - feel the difference?

"This is because the OS shadows are designed to only work with the specific shape and style of the OS theme." Which shapes? What styles? Entire program works for a few SPECIFIC elements?

"You may be using older skins which did not define their own shadows but tried to use the OS ones." I work with WB & SkinStudio more than 10 years. Creating own skins and editing others gave me (I supposed) enough experience and understanding, how it works. Of course I switch both states of shadows: simply "enable shadows" and check this option and supply appropriated images. NOT WORKS. 

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ElectroSelf, reply 15

Entire program works for a few SPECIFIC elements?
End of ElectroSelf's quote
That's what he said, ShadowFX only applies shadows to the default Windows  theme elements, not to an applied WindowBlind.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ElectroSelf, reply 15

"ShadowFX will not function with WindowBlinds running." WITH WINDOWBLINDS, not with skin applied - feel the difference?

"This is because the OS shadows are designed to only work with the specific shape and style of the OS theme." Which shapes? What styles? Entire program works for a few SPECIFIC elements?

"You may be using older skins which did not define their own shadows but tried to use the OS ones." I work with WB & SkinStudio more than 10 years. Creating own skins and editing others gave me (I supposed) enough experience and understanding, how it works. Of course I switch both states of shadows: simply "enable shadows" and check this option and supply appropriated images. NOT WORKS. 
End of ElectroSelf's quote

If you are using a WindowBlinds theme then ShadowFX will do nothing.  This is made clear in the app.

ShadowFX is designed to work with the standard out of the box OS theme ONLY.  No other theme and only Windows 8/10.

You have not answered the question about if you get shadows with the Corporate skin included with WindowBlinds.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Corporate skin uses per-pixel frames which contents shadows itself. So I can draw ANY effect using them. Meanwhile previous WB versions allowed to combine usual bmp-frames and it was a GOOD FEATURE. I prefer this type of skin because per-pixel frames not support button sounds.