Fences 4.21 Release Feedback Thread

from Stardock Forums

With the Fences 4.21 release, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining the product

Object Desktop members can get the release from within Object Desktop Manager 

Individual purchases (as well as Object Desktop Members) can also be obtained from your account page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products

For guest check-out purchase (no account), from this link: http://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval

Reporting an issue

Please include the following for anything found:

  • Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)

  • Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen

  • Screenshots and videos are very helpful.  Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post.  Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.

  • If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Fences a better product.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

fences
58,511 views 51 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

07/17/2023

v4.21 (v4.2.1.2 binaries)

Stardock release: 07/17/2023

Steam Release: 07/17/2023

07/11/2023

v4.21 (v4.2.1.2 binaries)

  • Fixed bug "UI glitching while trying to set up new rules in Organize pane" reported today. No known instigator / breaking date. Patched around.

06/29/2023

v4.19 (v4.1.9.2 binaries)

  • QuickHide fix (was related to the previous beta's QuickHide improvements)

  • Added "Manage Subscription" button to About page for Subscription licenses.

06/26/2023

v4.17 (v4.1.7.3 binaries)

  • Fixed issue where View/Sort menu items could be incorrect when using Windows 11's "Use Classic Desktop Menu" setting

  • Fixed issue where Fence scrollbars would not display properly

  • Fixed unchecking "View -> Show Desktop Icons" would not work when the Quickhide feature was disabled

  • Fixed config UI's minimize/close-window controls could appear white-on-white-background when in "light" Windows theme mode

  • Fixed extra-long icon paths in Fences registry settings could cause crash

  • Fixed crashes relating to certain rollup feature interactions

  • Fixed code-signing issue that could impact fresh installations of Windows 10

  • Improvements to startup performance

  • Improved scrollbar performance with "List" style Folder Portals

  • Improved "auto rollup when docking to edge" so that, if you manually disable rollup, it will no longer auto rollup the next time you put the Fence near the edge.

  • Added support for UserLang setting via HKLM

  • Added option "ForceUnloadDllAfterStartupHooks" for force-unloading FencesMenu64.dll after Fences completes loading

  • Updated Japanese localization

  • Fixed config UI failed to load with a custom language selected

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Known issues

While we appreciate all feedback, please remember that we offer no official support for beta \ preview \ developer channel versions of Windows. If you report issues while in any of those early release channels, you should not expect them to be addressed unless it still exists in a retail version of Windows.

  • tbd
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi,

if you change the language to german and go to "Colors & appearance" ("Farbe & Aussehen"), close the Fences configuration and open it again, the language is set to english.
If you close the Fences configuration on the "Home" tab and open it again, the language stays at german.

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Windows 10 Version 22H2 (OS build 19045.3208)

Desktop becomes black.  Happens randomly when interacting with the Desktop.  Could be saving a new file to Desktop, or move an item on the desktop, or simply selecting an item.

This just started happening as I upgraded to 4.21.  Previous version was fine.

Attached screenshot (blurred out sensitive docs/files/names).  

If I start selecting each desktop icon, the desktop color will start popping in behind the icon (see "This PC", top left).  Original desktop color is blue.

Please advise if there's an easy way to roll back to the previous build while this is being sorted out?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Lukewarm3726, reply 5

Please advise if there's an easy way to roll back to the previous build while this is being sorted out?
End of Lukewarm3726's quote

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

As this is the only report, thus, it's not believed to be an inherent issue with the version (or related to Fences at all perhaps).  Please follow these steps and install 4.21 after to see if it is reproducible:

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1332477959/Fences+purging+and+re-installing

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Still having issues with fences and folders popping through to full screen application such as games. 

Windows 11 Pro 22H2

 

My desktop:

Running a full screen application, a game:

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting dspedzia, reply 8

Still having issues with fences and folders popping through to full screen application such as games.

Windows 11 Pro 22H2
End of dspedzia's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know few things:

  1. You on Fences 3 or 4? Need its version number.
  2. Issue happened on any full screen games and any application running full screen? Such as Video at full screen?
  3. Please post your setting on the Fences Hotkeys Configuration. (Refer screenshot below)

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Winver  22h2 (OS Build 19045.3208

Update per pop-up yesterday. Reboot afterward. Tonight, the pop-up reappeared. Will shut down and reboot in the morning.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting wolfiejunk, reply 10

Winver 22h2 (OS Build 19045.3208

Update per pop-up yesterday. Reboot afterward. Tonight, the pop-up reappeared. Will shut down and reboot in the morning.
End of wolfiejunk's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please try purge and reinstall steps as mention here : [Link]. Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account page. Reboot after the purge. Reinstall and reboot again after the installation. Retest and report back here.

Note: Reboot is important after purge and reinstall.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Lukewarm3726, reply 7

Downgrading to 4.19 resolved the issue.

Please let me know when this is fixed in the latest build.
End of Lukewarm3726's quote

Did you attempt to uninstall, REBOOT, reinstall 4.21  or the purge and reinstall Sean mentioned? This is not a reproducible or widely reported issue.

Paul Scroggins
Associate Technical Support Analyst

 

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

I will attempt the suggested cure over the weekend when I can put the computer offline. Thanks for the suggestions.

Which, if I understand them, it is to completely uninstall the product and proceed from the instructions given.

You might be interested in what occurred when I previously updated.

I received the notification there was an update available. I proceeded with it, and, at the end of the process, I was notified that the computer needed to reboot. Later that day, I did reboot and everything seemed fine, but the following day (yesterday) I once again received the notice to upgrade. It was then that the screenshots were posted.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting wolfiejunk, reply 13

I received the notification there was an update available. I proceeded with it, and, at the end of the process, I was notified that the computer needed to reboot. Later that day, I did reboot and everything seemed fine, but the following day (yesterday) I once again received the notice to upgrade. It was then that the screenshots were posted.
End of wolfiejunk's quote

Hello,
From what I understand, for Stardock product to work properly, you will need to reboot "immediately" every time after uninstall and reinstall. So please try that. Uninstall again, reboot immediately, re-install the latest version, reboot again and see if the issue still there. Report back.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting dspedzia, reply 14


End of dspedzia's quote

Hello,

We need more details as listed on my reply to you (Reply#9).

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

There are two features I would like you to consider if possible.

The first one,

It is very easy to use if the background style and color can display black characters with a white background like the window10 standard explorer.

 

The second is

By all means, the function I want to realize.

It is dissatisfying that the default display method can only select medium icons.

Please add a settings menu so that the user can choose the default display method.

My hope is that the details should be the default.

Now, out of necessity, I go out of my way to right-click -> view -> right-click details every time I go to a subdirectory. This hassle is very stressful.

thank you.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

I keep getting notices to upgrade to 4.21 even though it's been several days since I have done that and am using 4.21. And I've rebooted a few times since then.

Note that this is happening only on my Windows 11 laptop. I'm not seeing this on my Windows 10 laptop.

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting SteveMagruder, reply 19

I keep getting notices to upgrade to 4.21 even though it's been several days since I have done that and am using 4.21. And I've rebooted a few times since then.

Note that this is happening only on my Windows 11 laptop. I'm not seeing this on my Windows 10 laptop.
End of SteveMagruder's quote

Try going to your 'Downloads' folder and deleting the 'Stardock' folder should it exist.

Let us know if it keeps happening after.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 20

Try going to your 'Downloads' folder and deleting the 'Stardock' folder should it exist.

Let us know if it keeps happening after.
End of sdRohan's quote

I have no such folder.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

I noticed following:  when clicking at desktop with right mouse button  choose image , configure fences , nothing happend.

I have windows 11 pro, all updates and latest version of fences .

 

Older fences 3 no problem

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ivooppers, reply 22

I noticed following:  when clicking at desktop with right mouse button  choose image , configure fences , nothing happend.

I have windows 11 pro, all updates and latest version of fences .

Older fences 3 no problem
End of ivooppers's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need more details on your system. Please refer here: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1387954197/Contacting+Stardock+About+Fences+Issues

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 23


Quoting ivooppers,
reply 22

I noticed following:  when clicking at desktop with right mouse button  choose image , configure fences , nothing happend.

I have windows 11 pro, all updates and latest version of fences .

Older fences 3 no problem



Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need more details on your system. Please refer here: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1387954197/Contacting+Stardock+About+Fences+Issues

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

End of basj's quote

 

Well its a bridge to far for me, i have noticed it and reported here,  is no one else have the same ussue it ;s  good for me

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ivooppers, reply 24

 

Well its a bridge to far for me, i have noticed it and reported here,  is no one else have the same ussue it ;s  good for me
End of ivooppers's quote

Have you modified your context menus from the default Windows 11 to the old style?

Paul Scroggins
Associate Technical Support Analyst