How can I get my registration / product key information
Table of contents
Activaiton Issues and Questions
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Information and Usage
I purchased Deskscapes but I can't seem to run any dreams but the ones that came with the application.
DeskScapes and codecs
How do I randomize Dreams within DeskScapes 8?
How do I make Dreams
Self Support Options
DeskScapes Clean Boot
Purging and re-installing
I purchased DeskScapes but I can't seem to run any dreams but the ones that came with the application.
Stardock does not support skins, themes, docklets, icons, widgets, objects, etc that are created by third-parties. Please contact the author of the item you are having problems with for help and support. Also, if a dream was encoded by an author in an unsupported Windows 8 format you will need to contact that artist or install a codec that will work on Windows 8.
For instruction on customization and the use of downloaded media try checking out the forums: https://forums.stardock.com
DeskScapes and codecs
Please see the following for information on codecs if DeskScapes is telling you that you do not have a video codec: https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/faq.asp
If a dream was encoded by an author in an unsupported Windows 8 format you will need to contact that artist or install a codec that will work on Windows 8.
How do I randomize Dreams within DeskScapes 8?
To randomize dreams within DeskScapes 8, right click on the desktop and choose 'Configure DeskScapes'.
On the window that comes up, hold the ctrl key and then click to select the dreams/images you want to randomize. You will see they are selected by the blue/white check-mark in the upper right.A button for 'Adjust random settings' appears. You can enable the randomization and specify the speed of the changes from there.

How do I make Dreams
To make a dream, please run DreamMaker.exe located in the DeskScapes install folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\DeskScapes8)
Also see: How to Create an Animated Wallpaper Using Stardock’s DreamMaker
DeskScapes Clean Boot
It can be helpful to boot Windows into a clean state, and only running DeskScapes, to make sure any issue is not occurring as a result of a 3rd party application conflict. The best way to proceed would be to try loading under a new Window's Administrator account and in a "clean boot" state.
Create a new Windows Administrator (<--important that its an Administrator) account:
Windows 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7
Windows 8:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-8
Windows 10:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/create-a-local-user-account-in-windows-10
Log in under that account and see if your issue persists.
If so, and while still under that new account, please click the link below for performing a 'clean boot' under it:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135
After you've loaded Windows in a clean state, please download this file:
http://sd.stardock.com/Support/Utilities/PurgeAndBats/DS/DS_Restart.zip
Run the batch file in it to start the DeskScapes service.
Purging and re-installing
The following tool will purge the application for a possible re-install (if that is the goal).
**IMPORTANT** Please save any open documents/work and close out all of your applications including browsers. Your PC may restart after running this .bat file.
Please follow this link:
https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/DSPurge.zip
Save the file to your desktop, right click it and select "Run as Administrator" if you're on Vista/7/8/8.1/10

If you are running Windows 8/10, you may be notified that Windows is protecting your PC. Select "More info" and then "Run anyway".
Reboot the computer and reinstall the application. It is important to get the most recent version of the application.
For trials:
Please ensure you have the most recent trial available:
https://www.stardock.com/products/
For Stardock direct purchases:
For getting your product and key, please see the following:
https://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval
Please DO NOT change any of the default settings until you verify that the application is running as expected in its default state.