Fences Keeps prompting that a new Download is available to install

from Stardock Forums

Hey,  my Fences 4 installation Version 4.0.7.2 keeps popping up on 3 of my computers to download and install the latest version.  I have done this multiple times already.  If I use the "Check for updates" button located in the 'About' page it states I have the latest version.  When I download and install, the next day it will again prompt me to do the same.

 

How do I stop Fences from continuously prompting to update?

accounts and activation help
29,504 views 50 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Try this, uninstall Fences 4, reboot (immediately after the install), reinstall Fences 4, reboot again. Retest and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, I uninstalled, rebooted, then went to download the latest Fences4 and cannot download from your site.

 

Tried both Chrome and Edge?

 

What's the secret?

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Ok, found you had to hit the "Trial" button to get the download going.

 

Confusing site navigation.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bleibold, reply 2

Well, I uninstalled, rebooted, then went to download the latest Fences4 and cannot download from your site.

Tried both Chrome and Edge?

What's the secret?
End of bleibold's quote

Where you did your download it from? Here? https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. There is no "trial" download if you download it from there. I don't think.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I finally figured it out.

 

Waiting till tomorrow to see if the repeated update prompt is still there.

Strange that this is happening on 3 of my systems and no other user is reporting this same issue.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Same here, it's been a week or so. It's already installed and keeps telling me to download and update, even though the program itself says it's up to date.... *sighs*

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

I followed Basj's instructions on one system and it appears to work.  They have an issue with the installation, which apparently by uninstalling then installing it again clears it up.

 

I will try the other systems today and tomorrow.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting gabx, reply 6

Same here, it's been a week or so. It's already installed and keeps telling me to download and update, even though the program itself says it's up to date.... *sighs*
End of gabx's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Have you try my suggestion as mentioned in Reply#1?

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

This happened on my former Windows 10 system - for maybe the last 6 months - and I ignored it.  I just rebuilt a fresh Windows 11 system from scratch, and the same problem is back again.  The complete uninstall and reinstall seems an odd solution when my installation is brand new.  Is there a more targeted fix for this Stardock?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

I would hope that Stardock could offer a more technical explanation and fix.  It appears this started with the latest maintenace update a couple of weeks back.

 

Clearly this is an application issue that Stardock should take immediate responsibility for and provide an update to fix.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bleibold, reply 10

Clearly this is an application issue that Stardock should take immediate responsibility for and provide an update to fix.
End of bleibold's quote

We would if we knew it was app related, why the vast majority are not seeing this issue - why you few are unique. 

That said, if any of you have updated Fences and its still asking to be activated, not solved it with the uninstall method, I would like to know what the value is for this registry key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Stardock\Misc\Fences4

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Hey,

 

On one system that has been updated multiple times (supposedly) it has Version: 4.03

I again updated it and the registry value is now 4.07.02.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bleibold, reply 13

On one system that has been updated multiple times (supposedly) it has Version: 4.03

I again updated it and the registry value is now 4.07.02.
End of bleibold's quote

Ok, if something changes it back (perhaps some AV app?? or scan by a like utility), that is the issue.  I am not ruling out something else but that is the most likely culprit.

My prior image had 4.0.7.3 as that is what Steam is on.  Version 4.0.7.2 is what SD should have.  I have changed the image to properly show that.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

I will wait and see what happens on a fresh reboot tomorrow morning as this seems to be when the request to update happens.

On our systems we only use Microsoft Defender and its built-in scan functions so nothing would be changing anything.

I am still curious as to why the versions would be different based on whether Steam is installed.  Maybe you can elaborate a little more on that as I do have one desktop that runs Steam and Origin games that also 'had' this issue.  The Desktop reporting 4.07.02 does not yet have Steam installed as it is a new build.

Magically it appears that the annoying request to update dialog no longer appears on one of my desktops.  I did nothing to stop this from prompting as it just resolved itself after ignoring it for days.

This appears to have started from an initial request to update Fences4 back ~2 weeks ago.  Can you confirm that there was a recent maint release that did get installed ~ 2 weeks ago?

Best regards,

Bill Leibold

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bleibold, reply 15

I am still curious as to why the versions would be different based on whether Steam is installed. 
End of bleibold's quote

Its not that Steam itself is installed; the version of Fences we have there is slightly newer and only revolves around the fact that it's on Steam...

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

If it’s helpful, my system is a fresh install of Windows 11 and no steam installed.  System was built maybe 2 weeks ago and seems to prompt to update fences on every reboot.

As mentioned earlier, this also happened on a different windows 10 laptop I think for around 6 months.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

I had 3 systems earlier in the week exhibiting this anomaly.  I followed the instructions for one of the systems as described earlier by basj and it resolved that system issue.  The other 2 systems seem to have resolved themselves by either again executing the update or simply on its own without any intervention.

As of now I don't have any issue on any of my 3 systems that run Fences 4.

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sbell, reply 19

FWIW, I experience this behaviour with both Fences 4 and Groupy 2
End of sbell's quote

Do you have Stardock's Object Desktop manager running in the background?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

I have the same problem but it is July 30, 2023. I would think given a year has passed that someone at Stardock could have fixed this issue.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Jburns407, reply 21

I have the same problem but it is July 30, 2023. I would think given a year has passed that someone at Stardock could have fixed this issue.
End of Jburns407's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. You on ODM too?

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

ODM = Object Desktop Manager.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant