Are you running Windows 10 or 11? And if so, which version? You can find out with winver.exe by using the "Run" app. Sounds to me like there could be a case of corruption in your deskscapes installation or a possible software conflict with one or more apps elsewhere on your system. Are you using "wallpaper engine" or "Lively wallpaper" or other live wallpaper type software? If so, you may want to consider testing that hypothesis by uninstalling any other similar software. If it is not that, then my best suggestion is to investigate other issues here on deskscapes issues and do a purge and reinstall and see if that will resolve the problem. 

Thanks both of you for getting back. Am running Windows 11, this on the new computer. On the old computer was Windows 10, and that gave the same thing. You are supposed to restart after installing, which I did (several times) but made no difference. Also made sure no virus scanner was interfering. Tried also running the exe file as administrator and in various "compatibility" modes, but made no difference.

I did look around the forums and I saw two other people who had the same thing. As badly as I feel for them, at least feel less "alone" and not to be the one and only.

Hello and best wishes to any who read Paul and Jean and back, after few months waiting period, thinking maybe that time might provide a fix. But unhappily not. Same difficulty as described above. Recently completely reformatted the Windows 11 machine, which still did not seem to help. The "winver.exe" information is, I think (copied by hand, hope I got it right):

Product ID 0030-80000000-00000000-AA199

Edition  Windows 11 Pro

Version 23H2

Installed on 5/8/2024

OS build 22631.3593

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1003.0

Don't know if there's any other information you need that's missing, this is all I could find.

The purging did not help, but maybe not have mattered anyhow because there was nothing to purge, machine fresh.

All best, and thanks again for any help. Would enjoy SO much to be able to use the excellent Deskscapes.

Please try cleanboot as mentioned here: https://forums.stardock.com/485954/deskscapes-support-faq#cleanboot

Also, you mentioned:

Can you post links to these "two" other who have same issue as you, so we can check on their situations.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

found this too. It's for the WindowBlinds, which I also bought, It too "crashes," but that's ok because I don't really use it so not conceerned.

doesn't respond for a few seconds then it just crashes :: WindowBlinds 11 General Discussions (steamcommunity.com)

In both situations you listed above, cleanboot was suggested. Have you tried it as I suggested in my reply#9?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Great, thanks, now, please try testing it on a Sandbox see if the issue also happen there: https://forums.stardock.com/485954/deskscapes-support-faq#Sandbox

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Actually, to setup Windows Sandbox if quite easy. If you wish to learn and try it your self you can review these guide video.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

If it work in sand box, that, your conclusion is correct, something is not working properly with Deskscapes. And if cleanboot don't help. It most probably something wrong with Windows itself. What you can try to check with these two steps below.

Please try the following:

-For Win8/10/11 Users: Open the Start Screen, and type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator' from below.

-Type: sfc /scannow

-Wait for the scan to complete (this can take several minutes)

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

If the SFC finds errors, but cannot fix them, please also run the following command in the same command prompt window:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

The above command should assist with replacing any damaged or problematic system files. Please note, however, since it may require restoring certain files, this process can take some time and you will need to be patient until it has completed.

Please let me know whether this resolves your problem or if you have any additional questions.

Try that and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Are you currently running any antivirus and/or other security software that you were also using on your Windows 10 system? It's not very unusual a lot of maintnance/security apps can cause issues like yours.