Will a version of Curtains for Windows 11 be coming?

Hello,

Referring to Stardock's CEO announcement in this thread https://forums.stardock.com/502919/get;3820246. And from what I remember reading. There is no official announcement yet on Curtains.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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It's interesting because that thread says that Windows 11 kills Curtains but I actually have Curtains running on my Windows 11 computer and it still works. It was installed on my Windows 10 so when I upgraded it was already there. Unfortunately, I receive weekly notifications that there is an update to Curtains but it won't allow me to install it because it says that it is not compatible. I wish I could go ahead and install it just to see what happens since it is already running.

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Quoting incompletebiped,

reply 2

It's interesting because that thread says that Windows 11 kills Curtains but I actually have Curtains running on my Windows 11 computer and it still works. It was installed on my Windows 10 so when I upgraded it was already there. Unfortunately, I receive weekly notifications that there is an update to Curtains but it won't allow me to install it because it says that it is not compatible. I wish I could go ahead and install it just to see what happens since it is already running.

Whilst it may be running it isn't actually working correctly.

You do not have custom titlebars (other than the min, max, close and on universal apps), you do not have custom taskbar (unless you have Start11). All you really get is accent colour and wallpaper changes.

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RedneckDude

Join Date 04/2009

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Quoting Neil Banfield,

reply 3

You do not have custom titlebars (other than the min, max, close and on universal apps), you do not have custom taskbar (unless you have Start11). All you really get is accent colour and wallpaper changes.

Exactly what I got when I tried.

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Well, 2022 has come and gone (pretty much), so it looks as if the thread Basj referred to, that states 2023 (post 182 or so) might be the earliest we could see something.

BTW: I'll be looking for that official thread/post for projects and their target dates.

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Quoting Neil Banfield,

reply 3

Quoting incompletebiped,

reply 2

It's interesting because that thread says that Windows 11 kills Curtains but I actually have Curtains running on my Windows 11 computer and it still works. It was installed on my Windows 10 so when I upgraded it was already there. Unfortunately, I receive weekly notifications that there is an update to Curtains but it won't allow me to install it because it says that it is not compatible. I wish I could go ahead and install it just to see what happens since it is already running.

Whilst it may be running it isn't actually working correctly.

You do not have custom titlebars (other than the min, max, close and on universal apps), you do not have custom taskbar (unless you have Start11). All you really get is accent colour and wallpaper changes.

I am not sure you are correct... actually, I'd gamble you are incorrect. Stardock Curtains 1.19 appears to work perfectly on my Windows 11 PC. I can change to any style and it works completely fine... for example... "Crystal" and all my titlebars switch to pink, I prefer 'Midnight. 'Dark Waters' is another of my favorites... works fine. They all do! I do use Start11, like many, I still like the Start Menu. It's kinda confusing to keep getting these popups to install the Curtains Upgrade only to be shown another popup saying it's not compatible with Windows 11. I think Stardock is doing their customers a disservice by not rolling it out to Windows11 users... even if there's something (I don't see) that isn't working. You should change your policy on this.

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Trust me, I am correct

It does not and more importantly cannot work due to OS changes.

Your accent colour may be changing but that's all. The shadows, titlebar images (bar buttons) etc will not be applied to normal non universal app windows.

Your windows also no doubt retain their rounded look?

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Quoting VDCordle,

reply 5

Well, 2022 has come and gone (pretty much), so it looks as if the thread Basj referred to, that states 2023 (post 182 or so) might be the earliest we could see something.

BTW: I'll be looking for that official thread/post for projects and their target dates.

Given it is not even August yet it seems unfortunate to write off the rest of the year!

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Quoting Neil Banfield,

reply 7

Trust me, I am correct

It does not and more importantly cannot work due to OS changes.
Your accent colour may be changing but that's all. The shadows, titlebar images (bar buttons) etc will not be applied to normal non universal app windows.
Your windows also no doubt retain their rounded look?

HAHA... I made a video, 38 seconds, of me switching to different Styles in Curtains on Windows 11. I show WinVer - confirms is Windows 11 and Microsoft's Edge is running too, you can see the title bar matches... notice the taskbar and start button changes. I do not change the background (my preference) and also I just let Edge change it's settings so it asks to reboot, so please ignore that popup, not related.

As you can see in this example... it works... quite nicely.... or nice enough it should be available. Has anyone tried this at Stardock?

Here is the link to the video

P.S. If mine is working because I've modified something that is not 'default', certainly your install routine could include the registry key of that change so all users could have the same success. Please let me know what info you'd like from me, or my registry.

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c242

Join Date 03/2001

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If something, Your video shows it does NOT work. Only color switching, nothing else is applied. Window frames and taskbar all look the same. Look at the screenshot in the themes and compare them to Yours.

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Quoting c242,

reply 10

As you can see in this example... it works... quite nicely.... or nice enough it should be available. Has anyone tried this at Stardock?

I am sorry, from your video, it does not "working" at all. I wonder how you can call it working? Have you ever use Curtains on Windows 10 before?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi Basj,

I don't understand. Every Style changes the way Windows looks... Taskbar, Titles, Wallpaper (if I let it), backgrounds in explorer, window shadows and borders and more. My wife loves the Windows XP theme. We are enjoying Curtains and wonder why others are denied it. If there is some functions not working, these are not obvious. Please take a moment to explain why Stardock is not allowing users this same pleasure.

Kindest regards,

Stan

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Here a video I make just to show how the explorer should look with proper Curtains function applied. This on on Windows 10 latest update available for me. Give special attention on the Windows titlebar and buttons.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi Basj,

That looks beautiful. I struggle to see what is different. If there is some small difference in the explorer, I don't see it... nevertheless, this difference you see must be preventing your rollout. All the other benefits work fine (as far as I can tell). Obviously, you are most familiar with every component and want to deliver 100% perfect code. Admirable. Why not rollout a Beta with registry key that disables 'Replace default frames' in the Window Title Bar for each Style used and with the rollout of Gold, switch this key back to recognize the setting selected by your user? - just this small change and it's ready.

Try switching that setting yourself. That makes a big difference.

Curtains is a great product, all your products are excellent. Thank you.

Kindest regards,

Stan

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c242

Join Date 03/2001

+349

"Why not rollout a Beta with registry key that disables 'Replace default frames' in the Window Title Bar for each Style"

Because that is totally NOT the purpose of Curtains? It is here to change frames and title bars. If You just want to change colors, use the native themes in windows.

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Quoting c242,

reply 15

"Why not rollout a Beta with registry key that disables 'Replace default frames' in the Window Title Bar for each Style"
Because that is totally NOT the purpose of Curtains? It is here to change frames and title bars. If You just want to change colors, use the native themes in windows.

Here is the link to the video I created, watch as I switch Styles in Windows 11. Many of these changes are not possible without Curtains. Each different Style has been modified with disable 'Replace default frames' in the Window Title Bar. Only the Window Title Bar. You'll see that every Style change DOES still change the Window Title Bar. Go figure. I suspect without replacing default frames in the WIndows Title bar, title bar color is changed to match the Task Bar. I've not seen the code to know what exactly happens... visually, I can attest the change for each Style is still lovely.

I vote that something lovely is better than Error/Incompatibility messages and months of delayed rollout of Windows 11 Curtains. Fortunately I upgraded Windows 10 to Windows 11, so I still have Curtains on my PC. I love it.. Wife loves it. I change Styles each time I change my background... often. I don't like getting popups to upgrade and then to see it fail and get another popup telling me it's not compatible. I disagree. I am repeating all my posts above so I'll finish this text.

I'm not upset with Stardock or Curtains... I love it. I simply suggest Stardock allow users to use Curtains while they polish the code for the most functionality. I've done this by deselecting 'Replace default frames' in the Windows Title Bar... one checkbox.

Kindest regards,

Stan

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c242

Join Date 03/2001

+349

It only changes the COLOR of the titlebars and all, not the titlebars. I refrain discussing this further as You clearly don't understand even after watching BASJs video.

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Quoting MrUp,

reply 16

Here is the link to the video I created, watch as I switch Styles in Windows 11. Many of these changes are not possible without Curtains. Each different Style has been modified with disable 'Replace default frames' in the Window Title Bar.

Isn't the accent color on the file explorer new to 22H2? If it is, this means that Microsoft put it there for a reason. I would then suspect native color changes and new themes using this feature once 22H2 is actually released. Usually the theme part is the very last feature to be added to a new update.

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Quoting c242,

reply 17

It only changes the COLOR of the titlebars and all, not the titlebars. I refrain discussing this further as You clearly don't understand even after watching BASJs video.

Hi c242, I agree and concede all functionality for Curtains doesn't work in Windows 11. My point is that Curtains is more than just a Windows Title theme tool. The request I make in thie thread is that the remaining item(s) not yet working are minor. Simply deselecting the single checkbox allows Curtains to work quite nicely. There are many reasons to use and enjoy Curtains in Windows 11 than just what doesn't currently work.

Look at this new video I just made. File Explorer, Edge and the Taskbar are all visible. I switch among a half dozen Styles. Check out the taskbar and the windows titles, explorer backgrounds and such. Curtains makes some beautiful changes.

Deploy Curtains for Windows 11 with this checkbox deselected (and disabled - greyed out) as BETA... or call it version .01 so users can benefit from Curtains while your coders work to catch up with all the code changes from the Windows team.

If not, please add in your popup instructions how to disable the constant popups that tell users to upgrade only to tell them a few minutes later that it's not compatible.

Kindest regards and respect,

Stan

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Quoting PhoenixRising1,

reply 18

Isn't the accent color on the file explorer new to 22H2? If it is, this means that Microsoft put it there for a reason. I would then suspect native color changes and new themes using this feature once 22H2 is actually released. Usually the theme part is the very last feature to be added to a new update.

Hi PhoenixRising1,

My version of Windows 11 is 21H2 (OS Build 22000.795)

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Okay guys. I've made my plea and it's been rejected... wholeheartedly it seems. I'm an Object Desktop user for the last 21 years... I've upgraded each of these years, love WindowBlinds but sadly it doesn't work in Win11... been using Stardock software maybe longer than some of your employees have been working there... maybe not even born yet.. haha.

Like I said, I like the software... no complaints, just stupid suggestions apparently. Enough said. I'll not post on this thread further.

Kindest regards,

Stan

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Hello Mr Up,

I think curtains is something we would all love to see on Windows 11, sadly it is something that just isn't working as well as we all want it to. It just goes to show how hard it has been to make third party software for Microsoft products in this day and age.

I will say that development for Windowblinds 11 is in progress though. I think this is the product that Stardock will be pushing for a while and hopefully we are able to get more news on this soon.

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It seems feasible that is Windowblinds has not been working effectively without massive modifications, that Curtains would similarly suffer.

That being stated, they are ready to release the BETA of WB11 so while I hate assuming, it does seem logical that they will have curtains sorted in the near future. I only suggest this because both applications rely on the inner and outer workings of windows and it's applications and skinning.

As for me, I will watch as I am confident they will update everyone when it is closer to fixing. They may even decide to include it with WB11. Who knows?? I do not. Win11 has caused many developers several headaches because as usual, Microsoft changed things without proper notification on what they consider minor, or checking how third party developers might be affected.

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When Curtains 11 will be released ?

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

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