Fences 3.16 Changelog (Released 04/16/2024)

04/16/2024

• Miscellaneous installer changes

***Reserved***

I believe those are due to some of Fences user do not wish to move on to higher version. Therefore, when necessary, newer version for the lover number version was introduced. Just like Windows 10 still get updates even thought Windows 11 already out.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Windows 10 version 22H2 (OS build 19045.4291)

I received  a message on the screen - during normal working on my PC - announcing that there was an update for Fences 3.  I thought the upgrade to 3.16 would be a good thing;  I have 3 version 3.1.3.3.    Followed the instructions, got all the way to where it finally told me that :  "The uninstall executable file could not be written out because it is already in use.  Close all running uninstalls and click retry to continue.  Click cancel to abort."

Nothing else but 'cancel' gave me something 'to return to, I am not doing any uninstalls (on anything that I know of), and pressing retry just gave me the same message.  Am I missing something?  I only use Fences (3) to group my projects ...

Ken

If I am understanding this correctly. The issue is happening while trying to install the update over top of 3.1.3.3. If this is the case then perhaps just a simple uninstall of fences 3. Then reboot. Then reinstall of the newer version could be all that is needed. I just thought that this might be a good starting point is all.

That is all true but I would want to not to the OP to save their current Fences snapshot so it can be easily restored (snapshots are not removed on uninstall unless directed to by the person uninstalling).

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Hi, I installed the update to 3.1.6.1 and I believe I was on the previous release even if I don't know exactly - I have always taken updates when prompted/adviced.

Now I get a very high CPU consumption that I have not seen before. Fan on laptop is running which is not how it was prior to the update.
There has not been any other changes to the computer.

Is this a known feature?

How can I revert to the previous version? 

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎2022-‎07-‎31
OS build 19045.4291
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19056.1000.0

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4310U CPU @ 2.00GHz   2.60 GHz
Installed RAM 16,0 GB
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Quoting niklas8,

reply 13

Hi, I installed the update to 3.1.6.1 and I believe I was on the previous release even if I don't know exactly - I have always taken updates when prompted/adviced.

Now I get a very high CPU consumption that I have not seen before. Fan on laptop is running which is not how it was prior to the update.
There has not been any other changes to the computer.

Is this a known feature?

How can I revert to the previous version? 

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎2022-‎07-‎31
OS build 19045.4291
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19056.1000.0

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4310U CPU @ 2.00GHz   2.60 GHz
Installed RAM 16,0 GB
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

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.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Thanks Basj, seems to have sorted the issue. BR. /Niklas

Actually, I seem to have it back. Now this morning it has increased to 25% load of FileManager again. Fan is working continously.
Do you have ideas?

/Niklas

Thanks again for your swift reply.

Yes - it does!

I have uploaded four consecutive screenshots with the filename being the time it was taken + fences on/off in a zip-file to an area below.
I am starting with fences Off. Quite immediately cpu load raises significantly after being turned on. It stays like this. Then turned off, after some varying and fluctuations it will settle at low load again.

Very high correllation.

https://taklto.com/fences3_issue/fences_cpu_load.zip

Thanks!

/Niklas

Hi, I am currently being nagged daily to update my fences installation. The version change details say "Miscellaneous installer changes".

As a software developer I personnaly feel that this description is exceptionally inadequate and would like to see more descriptive details in futrure.

I also note that my product is already installed so I feel no urge to upgrade for the sake of a new installer. I mean, I won't be using the installer again; at least not unless I have to uninstall fences. So... going back to "I'm a developer". I never install software without good reason, nor do I uninstall software without good reason; since the stability of my system is paramount. My reality is this. Re-installing windows and everything else takes days, then everything needs patching, then configuration to get me back to 'productivity' takes significantly longer. Arguably months. So I'm overly strict on this, because I have to be.

I also read that a number of users are experiencing issues after upgrading, which implies that the description "Miscellaneous installer changes" is perhaps incomplete?? This brings us back to :
* my initial comments
*my rules to mauntain a stable build

Should I need to "rebuild" my PC (wipe and start gain) I would for sure use a newer installer (probably Fences 5)... but given that the changes "as described" are of no benefit to me I feel agrieved to be nagged daily for something I just don't want. I have looked in the application for the "check for updates" facility, which I found on the "About page". However? There's no setting for automating an update check, just a manual options through pressing a button.

How do I stop fences "dialing home and sending data" without my requesting this. I always disable automated updates since I always want to do this manually since I need to be fully aware of any potential issues that could result. It's regrettably also the case that some companies will upgrade you in to oblivion to :
* spur on a new sale (increase revenue)
* add advertising (increase revenue)
* bundle unwanted third party apps (increase revenue)
* back doors being added to development API's repository (I read about this recently)
While I'm not suggesting any of these options are what stardock are doing ... but we all have to be wary of foced upgrades. Even if MS disagrees.... The long and short of it. I always experiment before I install anything on my dev machine. This helps me make sure I have a roll-back option in case the development machine gets trashed.

It therefore concerns me greatly that I have no choice in this instance. Ultimately, this question comes down to "How do I stop fences nagging me daily"?

cheers

Bobo

Thank you for the prompt response. The information provided does not appear to be "quite right". Having said that ... the effort has been appreciated.

For the record. My Fences 3.1.3.3 was installed via Steam, which I have opened for good measure (I have nothing in the "download queue").

The provided information would suggest I see a bog standard Windows MessageBox (MB_YESNO) , which I do not. I see a custom form, with graphics. I took a look none the less at the windows scheduler, there's no stardock items whatsoever.

I manually applied the registry changes (SupressAutoUpdate=1) suggested for a stardock provided installation. Hopefully this will resolve my problem (at any rate, I doubt it can hurt).
I will find out when I reboot if this works. I'm in the middle of a huge compile so it will be a while before I can confirm if this works.

I would suggest Stardock provide users an accessible way of saying if they want update checks made.
For security reasons checks should always be made. However users should always have the option to choose not to update.

Please note : The steam example is for Start11 which is an entirely different product. Perhaps this is why I've seen not yes,No dialogs.
FYI : Since MS have decided they want to start doing poxy adverts in the start menu, there's rumblings they will cripple alternate start menu's. Consequently Start11 may be having a lot of problems soon.

--- edit ---

I don't seem to be able to reply further so I'm updating this reply with my feedback.

Using the registry changes (SupressAutoUpdate=1) for a Stardock Website provided installation does seem to have stopped the "upgrade prompt", even though I have a steam version. At least I haven't had to dismiss anything after a couple of reboots