Gap between Window Content and Frame

Windows 10

from Stardock Forums

Hi,

I'm having a bit of trouble with my WindowBlinds, and I was hoping someone might be able to help please.

I've recently installed WindowBlinds, and after flipping back and forth between a few themes, I discovered that some of my apps aren't rendering properly. Between the actual content of the window, and the window frame (as rendered by WindowBlinds), there is a gap of 'nothingness'. It's usually rendered as white when the app is first launched, but if I drag the frame to resize the window, I get a horrific 'hall of mirrors' effect. If I had to guess, data is being written to the framebuffer, but nothing is overwriting it, so I get a repeating window frame in this gap. The size of the gap varies from skin to skin, sometimes only a few pixels, sometimes over 100 pixels.

This happens in some apps, but not others. Firefox is fine, as is Explorer, LibreOffice, and WindowBlinds config itself. Apps like VLC, qBittorrent, and XNView are presenting this 'nothingness gap' between their window content and the Stardock-rendered frame. (And for the record, I use qBittorrent for seeding Linux ISOs and open-source software, nothing more.)

I'm running Windows 10 1903 (build 18362.959) 64-bit. All my software is legally licensed. WindowBlinds reports the following in the About dialogue:

Windows 10 Enterprise (18362.19h1_release_svc_prod1.190628-1641)
WindowBlinds 10.84 (059 - Windows 10 Edition) - 64 bit OS

Window titlebar blur features are enabled on this operating system

        Wblind.dll                   2019/11/19 00:41:12
        Wblind64.dll               2019/11/19 00:41:51
        Wbsrv.dll                    2019/05/04 13:29:46
        WB10Config.exe          2019/11/19 00:41:16
        Wbload.dll                  2019/05/09 05:13:37
        Screen10.exe               2019/05/04 13:29:17

What I've found so far:

  • I have tried uninstalling all my StarDock applications, rebooting, and only installing WindowBlinds, but the gap persists.
  • I have tried using multiple skins, including several StarDock-supplied ones (such as Diamond and Corporate) and several independently-made ones (such as AeroVistaX and eXperience), but they all produce the gap.
  • Switching back to the 'Default Theme' (the Windows standard frame rendering) always solve the issue, but means I lose all functionality of WindowBlinds.
  • Some skins cause a greater 'nothingness gap' than others (eXperience produces a relatively small gap, and StarDock's Diamond produces a huge gap).
  • Maximising a Window always hides the gap, but it returns as soon as the window is restored.
  • I have tried updating WindowBlinds, but it says that I'm on the latest version.
  • I'm not running any other apps that might interfere with the rendering of windows.

Thank you for your time.

windowblinds
5,675 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. It is known that Windowblinds not compatible with some applications. VLC is one of such applications. What you can do is to exclude it from Windowblinds.


Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 1

Sorry to hear you are having issues. It is known that Windowblinds not compatible with some applications. VLC is one of such applications. What you can do is to exclude it from Windowblinds.Stardock Community Assistant.
End of basj's quote

Is this behaviour consistent with the known incompatibility? Is a fix from Stardock forthcoming?

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

The issue is incompatibility is known for a long time, which usually because the applications is using not standard gui design. Specially on those have its own skinning engine. VLC for example has it own. And I have tried qBittorrent and XNView. Both have the same issue as VLC.

For, if a fix from Stardock is coming?, for that, I really can't say. I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their input. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

You all need to put a giant warning on your store page: "Only works with some apps."

Is there a particular process for getting a refund?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Personally, I have been using WB since 2000, and been a designer of its skins since then. It don't really bother me that much if it can't skin some applications. As long as I can have different than Windows official look on my PC. But since you asked, here a link if you wish for a refund. http://esupport.stardock.com/index.php?/default_import/Tickets/Submit

BTW, I would like to introduce you to Stardock Curtains, something that might serve you better. You can always try the 30 days trial. https://www.stardock.com/products/curtains/

 

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 5

Personally, I have been using WB since 2000, and been a designer of its skins since then. It don't really bother me that much if it can't skin some applications. As long as I can have different than Windows official look on my PC.
End of basj's quote

Use cases and requirements vary from person to person. A warning on the store page would have avoided all this.