What Order Should WB & DS be Purged, Then Reinstalled

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. As far as I know, there is no relation between these products. Both should work independently or together. So I don't think there should be any issue, where one is effecting the others. That said, what best, for me at least, to install Windowblinds first. Make sure it behave as expected, ie. changing couple of themes, reboots and see if everything is working. Than install Deskscape. Reboot and try out few dreams reboots few times and see if everything is working.

Report back here and if there are problems please list it down here.

Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Hi basj,

Thank you for your quick response.

The reason I asked about the order is that DS is dependent on WB running.  (Which seems to be your preferred order, as well as mine.)

After many hours of running Purge_WB (some executions never finishing after 86 minutes), rebooting (rerunning Purge_WB to completion / reboot / reinstalled multiple times.)

I finally have WB relatively functional – the Systray icon (which a mouse over shows that it is WB 8 and has through multiple upgrades, over the last year or so) is non-functional for WB Configuration – if started by the manual start via the Start Menu it does allow configuration.

I can certainly live with that – at least now, skinning is perfect with WB WindowBlinds_10.8.4.

However, DS has not been really too responsive.  These are the progression of my use of DS versions, starting with the most recent purges, reboots and reinstalls:

DeskScapes8_8.51 (after running DS10Purge, etc.)

Now, V8.51, generally, is able to apply wallpaper only when clicking on “Apply to my desktop”, but not by double clicking on the image. (but goes to black if the Task Bar "Show Desktop" is clicked - so an timely viewing of the full screen is no longer possible.  If the "Configure DS" is reopened, the wallpaper replaces the black wallpaper, until the next "Show Desktop" is clicked.  So, DS8_8.1 is partially functional.

These next 3 v10+ all had similar problems (after running DSPurge/Boot/Reinstall/Boot multiple times); each reinstall the wallpaper it did not change (double click or "Apply") except just prior to shutdown or restart. Following the next Boot/Restart, the correct wallpaper shows again.  These were a major setback for DS.  Until the last update, DS worked fine.

DeskScapes10_10.02c  +

DeskScapes10_10.02b  |

DeskScapes10              +

I previously installed and used each of the below 10 DS versions, since 2011; each behaved well, once I understood the image size restrictions for display via DS.

DeskScapes10_beta3

DeskScapes10_beta2

DeskScapes10_beta

DeskScapes8_8.51

DeskScapes_v8.10

DeskScapes_8.00

DeskScapes350

DeskScapes3 3.50

DeskScapes35_enhanced

DeskScapes_enhanced

In the "Windows 7 - Programs and Features" there are 2 entries for both DS (10.02 [even though it has been Purged multiple time] and 8.51 [actually reinstalled).

WB shows both 10.82 (Purged, etc. multiple times) and 10.84 (Only version reinstalled).

Would using ODT Manager (v4.0)'s "Uninstall" help in any way, with or without the Purge/Restart (or Boot), Reinstall methods, to repair the functionality of DS?

I hope that fills in some details, but I do have over 25 pages (junior legal size) of notes.  I just didn't want to bury the basic issues with, perhaps, irrelevant details.

Thank you all for your help!

From your report, I believe your issue is with Deskscape and not Windowblinds. Please first test if all your windows files is in good order by using this guide below :

-For Win8/10 Users: Open the Start Screen, and type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator' from below.

-For 7 Users: click Start, in the start search field type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator'.

-Type: sfc /scannow

-Wait for the scan to complete (this can take several minutes)

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

If the SFC finds errors, but cannot fix them, please also run the following command in the same command prompt window:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

The above command should assist with replacing any damaged or problematic system files. Please note, however, since it may require restoring certain files, this process can take some time and you will need to be patient until it has completed.

Please let me know whether this resolves your problem or if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Sorry, about the typo's in my above reply, as well as a mistaken font size.  (Though now I have now changed the font size and spacing issues.)

Also, one additional detail about WB 10.8.4; the last reinstall does not have any of the FireFox adjustments that are shown in https://forums.stardock.com/497596/page/1/#3764739

Thanks basj.  I've tried sfc /scannow before, but for some reason I haven't with this issue. duh...

I'll try it later this evening as well as your "dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" suggestion

Thank you for responding so quickly!

Hi basj,

I believe that you are correct that DS is the primary problem.  However the non-functional SysTray WB config (labeled 8) remains.

I did run "sfc /scannow" (as admin) before purging DS8 8.51.  It fixed all errors.  I rebooted, and reinstalled DeskScapes10_10.02b.  The same problems with the non-session applied wallpaper (until the shutdown/restart begins).  It can never change the wallpaper (either double clicking on the image, or clicking on "Apply") during the current session.

I then reinstalled the update to version DeskScapes10_10.02c. The above problems still exists.

I looked at the Programs & Features screen:  Both DS 10.02 and DS8_8.51 are still listed (as well as  both WB 10.82 and WB 10.84).

I did run "sfc /scannow" (as admin) after updating to DeskScapes10_10.02c.  It did find some errors, but the vast majority of the "errors" were "Ignoring duplicate ownership for directory" - which does make sense, since both my "Administrative" and My own Profile are set to the same permissions.

The "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth" seems to be designed for only Win 10.

Do you have any opinion on either running "DS10Purge", "DSPurge", "Uninstall" via "ODT Manager", or any combination of them, (with admin authority & reboot) before reinstalling the much more reliable DS8_ 8.51 (despite its problems, above, in "Reply #2)

The “modified” date is not accurate for 1 of each DS and WB.  (All 4 have been modified this month, but 2 show that they were last modified in the late summer of 2019.)

Do you think that using P&F' "Uninstall" option, after the purges (to eliminate the double versions), but before reinstalling DS8_8.51, would work?

Thank you so much for your insight!

Hello,

Need to understand this can you provide a screenshot of this issue, so I can understand it much better.

As for DS, I prefer you stick with DS10 since I have it running on my Windows 7 without issue. But I'm not sure on

Please elaborate on this, or if you can post a video on this issue and share the link here. So we can understand your issue.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Hi,

The only screenshots/videos that I can send you are:

Non-Funtional Systray Labeled v8 - not currently installed.png

Non-Funtional Systray Config.png

I can not capture things that do not do any thing.  The Config does nothing, except closing the right click sub-menu.

DS 10+ did work for a long time. but the last update began the problems.  From then on, no purge/reinstall of any version other than 8.51 will even work, in real time.  Not being able to see the newly applied wallpaper, when it is changed, makes all but DS 8.51, not too useful.

Please look at my description from a prior reply:

(Inserted here for clarity)

Again, I can not capture (either by screenshot or video) things that do not occur until "Restart" or "Shut down" - no means of capturing something that only happens for several seconds.  Also, at that point, no Windows utility capture can even be executed.

Thank you for your continued assistance!

Hello again,

Why are you still using Windowblinds 8? You should move on to Windowblinds 10 for more capatibility with current theme available on Wincustomize.

Sometimes I use my Smartphone to capture the video on my screen, specially if the issue occurs while rebooting / restarting

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Hi,

As I have previously said DS8 (any or incremental 8.xx.xx version) is not currently installed on my PC, although the "Programs & Features" still lists it, in addition to 10.02.

This has been an issue for multiple versions for DS 10+ (regardless of upgrades or multiple purges/reboots/reinstalls/reboots).

Actually, this SysTray issues appears to be a WindowBlinds issue, with multiple updates as well as with multiple purges, reboots, and reinstalls.

I REALLY do like the DS 10+ interfaces.  Unfortunately, reinstalling, DeskScapes10_10.02c, DeskScapes10_10.02b or DeskScapes10, does not return the prior functionality of DeskScapes10_10.02b.

None of those reinstalls will allow the change of wallpaper, during the current session.

Even after using DSPurge or DS10Purge, multiple times, no reinstall takes care of the problem.

Version 8.51 does work, but its interface isn't as friendly.  Before I go back to 8.51 again, do you think that reinstalling DeskScapes10_beta3, DeskScapes10_beta2 or DeskScapes10_beta would be worth while?

Which purge (DSPurge or DS10Purge) should I use?  I assume it should be DSPurge, since I am changing within the v10 family (but DS10Purge before any reinstall of v8.51)

The very quick appearance of the changed image (1-3 seconds) during shutdown or restart, really is not even video capturable and the reboot process only appears with the changed wallpaper.  There is no incident there to video, but that is the only way to actually change the wallpaper.

After purging a couple of times (before any reinstalls), would you recommend running the "Programs & Features" uninstall of both (post purge) nonexistent DS installs. (the purges themselves, do not remove them).

If any of the beta versions do not fix my DS 10+ problems, I will have no choice but to go back to 8.51.

I really do appreciate your assistance.

Thank You.

Here is what I can advice you.

1) Do the DSpurge.bat. reboot. Check and see if DS is off the system. Right click on desktop and see the Deskscape Context menu is gone. If it still there run the DSpurge.bat again. or report back here before proceed to the next step.

2) Just to be sure, change WB theme to default Windows 7 theme (Disable WB). Reboot . Do the Purge_WB.bat. reboot again.

3) See if both software is off the system. And run the sfc /scannow again just to test thing out.

4) Reinstall WB10 latest version only. Reboot and retest and see if everything is working. Those issue on taskbar should not appear. Need to solve this WB issues first before continue to DS

Report back. and we will pick up from there.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Hi,

I neglected to be clear about my current version of WindowBlinds (WindowBlinds 10.84 (059 - Windows 7 Edition).

(Sorry that I can not get "quotes" to function properly, in my responses - They continue into non-quoted text.

But as I said in Reply #2:

I am willing to redo these purges yet again.  When DS is purged, the Desktop right click no longer shows DS on the menu.

I have purged DS multiple times (before reinstalls) but even then DS still shows up on "Programs & Features.  Even DS 8.51, which is not even currently installed.

I will re-run the "sfc" again, after the purges

After multiple purges, if any DS version still shows in P&F - should I go ahead and attempt to "Uninstall" them from there also?

If necessary, I can just live with the more primitive DS 8.51 - at least the wallpaper does change, WHEN applied, instead of only very briefly at Shutdown or Restart.

Thanks

It your choice. But, you should also try the cleanboot steps mentioned here :

Cleanboot for DS : https://forums.stardock.com/485954/deskscapes-support-faq#cleanboot

and

Cleanboot for WB : https://forums.stardock.com/486023/windowblinds-support-faq#cleanboot

These should test and show if you have compatibility issue with other applications.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Howdy Basj,

 I hope that these 2 replies shed some light on the problems I, and others have reported.

 Before every "Purge" I have re-downloaded or re-extracted EVERY PURGE.

 After EVERY reboot, after EACH “Purge”, I used “McAfee All Access – Total  Protection”  to clear all temporary internet files, cookies and trackers – then rebooted again.

 Also, I have re-downloaded the install programs before almost every (current versions) re-installs

 Each were saved as a clean version, then copied to a directory from where I did the re-installs

 In order to retry older versions of DS, I copied clean versions of each DS as far back to

"DeskScapes8_8.51_setup_sd.exe"

Only that early reinstall fixed the DS problems

I have executed many "Purges" of DS since that 1 trial of the functional v8.51

NO PURGE has ever cleaned the many "Registry" entries for DS8 or DS3

(Listed in next post) of which, combined, left well over 250 entries not removed (14 for DS8 with the rest referring to DS3 - which was last installed 2017.02, before many "Purges" and replaced with DS8.51 then with 6 v10+ upgrades, some with purges, starting in 2019.03)

With both DS & WB "Purged" multiple times (with multiple Reboots in between "Purges" [including DS10Purge]),  I opened The "Task Manager - Services" tab:
               Showed that DeskScapes8 was still “Running”
               Cannot Stop DS8 - Access is denied
               Cannot delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Deskscapes8\DS8Srv.exe
                        or C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Deskscapes8

        Cannot delete due to "DS8Srv.exe"
                "This action cannot be completed because the file is open in Stardock DeskScapes 8"
               ("Stardock DeskScapes 8 Service") although NO other remnants of DS8 remain
               (v8.0.0 - last modified 3/10/2014 74 KB)

           Used MSCONFIG to uncheck DS8 from startup.  It was still “running” after reboot

           Used MSCONFIG to uncheck "Object Desktop" from startup
Reboot
Able to now delete "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Deskscapes8\..."
Reboot
With DS supposedly "Purged", multiple times from my system, Both DS
         versions as well as both "Purged" WB were still in Programs & Features (Except the icons
         were now replaced with Win default program icons -NO LONGER USING STARDOCK
         ICONS.)        

                   Via Win 7 pro P&F (for both DS & WB) - 2 versions each
                             I used the "Uninstall" method for all 4 "Programs"
                                     Each basically had a pop up stating: NO files to delete - do you

want to remove from list
     Responded in the affirmative
     All 4 were removed from P&F 

          Rebooted yet again
          Re-Checked right click on desktop: DS no longer there
          Checked "Start" menu – Under "All Programs" both DS & WB were gone.
          However, the left panel of "Start" no “Purge” removed the "Pinned" DS or WB
                   (Neither was functional - un-Pinned)

           Rebooted several times again

           Used MSCONFIG to re-check "Object Desktop" on startup

           Rebooted several times again

           Re-downloaded & Re-installed the current WB version,                                                                                              "WindowBlinds_10.8.4_setup_sd.exe", yet again
                            (I have NOT reinstalled any other version of WB during this process)
                            (The last version, "WindowBlinds_10.8.2_setup_sd.exe" was last installed in 2019.07)
                    Rebooted several times again 

          None of the prior WB issues were fixed - but I can live with those
                   (The "Mouse Over" WB8 label has never changed SINCE
                   WindowBlinds_8.13_setup_sd.exe" was last installed in 2016.03)

                    This likely is a programming or purging programing oversight

                    I have Updated to EVERY WB10+ version released - The label has never changed

                   However, despite many multiple WB "Purges" during this process  (including, of course, multiple
                   re-boots), the issue of the SysTray Icon non-functionality has  continued since the 1st WB Purge
                   and Re-install

                   But it is very easy to use the "Pinned Start Menu"  approach 

Registry issues are outlined in my next “Reply”.  (This may take a bit of time to re-edit in this "Reply" form.)

This form screws up spacing and formatting whenever copied in, or "Posted"

One question, have you tried my suggestion as mentioned on Reply#12.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Registry issues regarding my prior “Reply #13”.

 I searched the Registry (with regedit) for EVERY occurrence of the word “Desk”
          Of course there were multiple 100’s entries which were not pertinent

I am not going to take the time to reformat the following, just due to the problems with posting.

The following 14 erroneous registry entries regarding DS8, had never been cleaned up (despite many “Purges):

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{EC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                Deskscapes8 Class

 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Deskscapes8Menu

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                {EC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}

 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\DeskscapesMenu

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                {EC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Deskscapes8

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Deskscapes8\Deskscapes8.ini

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Deskscapes8

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Deskscapes8\Deskscapes8.ini

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Deskscapes8\Deskscapes8.ini\Deskscapes8

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)
          LS               REG_SZ                1364709454

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{EC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                Deskscapes8 Class

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Deskscapes8Menu

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                {EC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services\DeskScapes8

          (Defualt)    REG_SZ                (value not set)
          DAY                      REG_DWORD      0x00000019 (25)
          DeskScapes8       REG_DWORD      0x00000002 (2)
          HOUR                  REG_DWORD      0x00000015 (21)

          MINUTE              REG_DWORD      0x00000012 (18)
          MONTH              REG_DWORD      0x00000002 (2)
          SECOND              REG_DWORD      0x00000009 (9)
          YEAR          REG_DWORD      0x000007e4 (2020)

         (This appears to be the Date & Time of a "Purge" and re-install of the current DS, NOT DS8)

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\DeskScapes8

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\DeskScapes8

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\DeskScapes8

However, what really surprised me, were the well over 250 entries – probably more than 300 – referring to the non-existent path:
          C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Object Desktop\DeskScapes3\...

          ONLY “C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Object Desktop\LogonStudio\...” EXISTS

Both of these “Replies” illustrate the incomplete cleaning that the “Purges” perform.

 How do we re-install a functional DS10+ version, without purchasing a new Win10 PC, performing the overkill “Cleanboot”s, or performing multiple “Purges” and a reinstall of the functional (but more primitive) DS v8.51?

Cleanboot is not overkilled steps. It something Microsoft support suggested : https://support.microsoft.com/en-my/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Basj,

I appreciate your effort on these issues.

However,

The overkill is to force users to ignore the fact that NONE of the repetitive "purges" actually cleanup the remnants of prior installations - it is the responsibility of Stardock to program functional, reliable "Purges" or uninstalls.

As I have said, I have used "safemode", sfc /scannow (multiple times), msconfig (multiple times just to get the single DS8 file to stop making my system think that it is a real program - there were NO other DS8 files on my PC)

Therefore, we need a REAL "purge" utility that works.

Constantly telling us to rerun each "Purge", until it "works", then "cleanboot" is simply something that is only to distract from the issue that Stardock can't do the job.

Please stop "Passing the Buck".

I guess my next step is to use a "Registry" cleaner to remove what the "Purges" leave behind.  If that does not fix the issues with DS10+, Stardock leaves me with no other option than to revert to the FUNCTIONAL WB8.51 - at least until I can afford to purchase a new Win 10 PC, which has NO RESIDUAL DS presence on it.

Hello,
I have forwarded your questions/problems to the Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate you feedback and patience.

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

How did PDJ get in here?  I posted that...lol.

This thread is getting off target.

First, only one issue will be worked on at a time.  Any WB issues will be ignored in it for now as it seems insignificant in comparison.

Any not installed version can be removed from here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

No, no beta should be used when a later released version is available.  Also, DS 8x is no longer supported so please do not post about it - we can only deal with what issues remain with DS 10.05 - the current release.

Very good idea to back up your registry prior to doing the below.

After any general uninstall of DS, reboot, if there is a 'Deskscapes' registry entries left here:

\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock

They can be manually deleted.  

Upon a DS10 reinstall, please briefly detail what issues with it remain - on your Win7 box - and if they persist under a clean boot:

https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-7-8-10/

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

No Sean,

It is only "off target" because the issues still remain.

I will look in to it after tomorrow, as I am in charge of a precinct polling place (for the 6th time) serving the California Primary Voters.

As i have said, repeatedly, the issues with the current WB 10.84, ARE THINGS THAT I CAN DEAL WITH.

Your above response, does not even address the issue of of well over 250 registry entries for DS3, which cannot be cleaned with a registry cleaner - there are no installations of DS3 on my machine, in any form (since it was last installed DS3 in 2013.03 and replaced with DS8 in 2013..05.  I just rechecked my download and installation records)

Do I need to manually delete every one of the 250+ registry entries referring to DS3.

I have already used "msconfig" (multiple times) to shutdown Statdock related "Services" and "Start up" items.

However, later in the week, I will try these steps - but I expect that I will have to purchase 3rd party system
"cleaners" to actually fix it.

Hello,

Not really sure if the current version of purge will deal with DS3, but, you can always use those registry cleaner program to clean up old broken link applications. I used to use Ccleaner before, now, I am using Wise Care 365 (free) for it. It work great for me.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

But I did:

The highest part of the tree, 'DeskScapes', will get all the sub-values:

Again, back up your registry first. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager