Fences 5.81 Beta Release Thread

from Stardock Forums

With the Fences 5.81 beta release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining Object Desktop Insider Builds

Object Desktop Manager

Object Desktop members can get beta and Insider builds from within Object Desktop Manager with 'Enable Object Desktop Insider builds' enabled:

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Stardock Download Page

Or via their download page in the ‘Object Desktop Insider’ section

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Obtaining Beta Releases

Stardock.com

If a beta was released, Object Desktop Members would see it in the ‘Object Desktop’ section.

Individual purchases would see it on their registration of the product under their download page.

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Steam

  • Right-click the Product in Steam

  • Properties

  • Betas

  • Select the beta branch at the top right (there is no password)

Example

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/steamwebhelper_2024-02-19_17-44-35.png

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 5 a better product.

fences
22,702 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Fences 5.84 Changelog (Released 09/25/2024)

09/25/2024

Version

Fences About UI: 5.84

Fences.exe: 5.8.4.7

Platforms

  • Stardock: 09/25/2024

  • Steam: tbd

Changes

  • Added functionality to resolve excessive User Account Control prompts.

  • Added the "Create debug package" option to the Troubleshooting area

  • Added a new advanced (C++) logging option to the Troubleshooting area

  • Updated Win11ContextMenu package's internal package icons (new installs only)

  • Prevent rare situations where all icons could end up on the desktop upon app startup

  • Prevent situations where a layout could not save when using old layout modes

  • Added resilience for desktop folders relocated to removable drives

  • Fixes ‘number of times opened’ sorting for items in a Fence.

  • Fixed "icons bunch up on bottom" issue

  • Fixed "layout stuck" issue

  • New feature: Ability to "Swap Screen Contents" in the Layouts tab. If you've arrived at a multi-monitor configuration and your icons/groups are not on the correct monitor, you can swap them until it's right. Find this under "Adjust displays" link.

  • Major Update: All users are now being migrated to the new multi-mon compatible auto layout adjustment system introduced in Fences v5.50. Unlike the previous options, this new system will keep track of your group positions on a per-monitor-configuration basis so that when you plug and unplug monitors/dock and undock, your groups and icons will be right where you left them. Additional messaging has been placed throughout the Layout tab area to emphasize and notify when users arrive to this tab. (Only users who currently have or have had in the past more than 1 monitor will be notified.)

  • Major Improvement: Folder Portals now resize lightning fast, so you can see their contents rearrange in real-time as you resize your group. It's pretty neat! And now super responsive.

  • Compatibility update: Peek performance and reliability has been further improved with the latest Windows Insider.

  • Compatibility update: It was possible for some Folder Portals to delay showing if one of the folder portals was actively syncing (i.e. Dropbox). This has been worked around.

  • Compatibility update: Roll-up Fence groups will remain open and expanded (vs retract) when you right-click on a file and navigate using Windows 11 Insider's new file context menu.

  • Compatibility update: On the latest Windows 11 Insider builds, desktop icon spacing will now respond more favorably especially when changing DPIs and especially when desktop icon size is set to "large".

  • Fix: When using Peek, you can now properly hold Control to multi-select files.

  • Fix: Folder Portals now correctly scroll with the mouse wheel one icon at a time, instead of Explorer's default of 1.5x at a time.

  • Fix: Folder Portals that have icons smaller than the desktop + are a single row in height would be taller than they should be on startup.

  • Fix: Potential crash when changing Windows system themes.

  • Fix: Using the pipe symbol "|" in title could cause issue with rules system.

  • Fix: Rule picker will now better stay up to date if you create a new Fence group and then navigate back to the dialog.

  • Fix: Mouse wheel + control now once again correctly resizes desktop icons .

  • Fix: Peek could dismiss if you do a desktop lasso during Peek and release the mouse outside of the Peek area.

  • QOL Improvement: Double-clicking on the "folder" or "up" icon of a folder portal title bar no longer triggers roll-up

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
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

A lot of great work here! Thanks

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Just realized you added the ability to rename and re-capture the backups. Thank you.

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Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdrohan, reply 1

Major Improvement: Folder Portals now resize lightning fast, so you can see their contents rearrange in real-time as you resize your group. It's pretty neat! And now super responsive.
End of sdrohan's quote

Great addition. Even folder navigation is faster which will help with productivity. I can now see a real difference in speed compared to Fences 4, so that is good!

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Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

This is an old issue, but I do not believe I have ever reported it.

The option "blur background" always deactivates while toggling / changing pages

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting PhoenixRising1, reply 7

This is an old issue, but I do not believe I have ever reported it.

The option "blur background" always deactivates while toggling / changing pages
End of PhoenixRising1's quote

Thanks for pointing that out, PheonixRising1.  I've reproduced and logged it internally.

Internal Ref: ODNT-8610

Thanks again for the feedback!

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Customer Support Specialist

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Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi PhoenixRising1, unfortunately this is a technical limitation! Cannot maintain the blur during animation. It should restore once settled to the other page; let us know if it does not.

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Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Found a bug

The option to "remove a fence" is missing when right clicking the fences header. I had to roll back to 5.80 to remove a fence.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting PhoenixRising1, reply 10

Found a bug

The option to "remove a fence" is missing when right clicking the fences header. I had to roll back to 5.80 to remove a fence.
End of PhoenixRising1's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, there should be an "X" to remove Fences on the Fences header, no?

If you have "Lock Fences" turned on, that "X" will not appear.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 11

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, there should be an "X" to remove Fences on the Fences header, no?
End of basj's quote

Thanks, If I do click under "personalized settings" and check mark the option "show titlebar controls on mouse over" then I do see an "x"

In the past I have had the option turned off and instead used the right click on the header method.

On Fences 5.80 there is a right click option "remove fence"

On Fences 5.81 the option is gone

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Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

@PhoenixRising1 good catch, this has been resolved thank you!

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Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

So because I have an issue with 5.80, I was told to try 5.81 Beta, but unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same problem : after a reboot, the configuration is lost, and restoring a backup has no effect, and yes multi-monitor is activated.

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Francky_FBI, reply 14

So because I have an issue with 5.80, I was told to try 5.81 Beta, but unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same problem : after a reboot, the configuration is lost, and restoring a backup has no effect, and yes multi-monitor is activated.
End of Francky_FBI's quote

Sorry to hear that . Reading back on your issue, it more like your issue is unique to your system only. Moving forward, I believe it best to create your own new thread . So we don't get mixed up with other issues.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

All,

Fences 5.81 was released today.  For details and to provide feedback, please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/529942/fences-581-release-feedback-thread

As always, thank you for your time, feedback, and support.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Francky_FBI, reply 14

So because I have an issue with 5.80, I was told to try 5.81 Beta, but unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same problem : after a reboot, the configuration is lost, and restoring a backup has no effect, and yes multi-monitor is activated.
End of Francky_FBI's quote

 

Hi Francky, a few asks. Could you zip up the contents of %appdata%\Stardock\Fences\Backups, %appdata%\Stardock\Fences\Debug, %appdata%\Stardock\TroubleshootingLog, and then also export the contents of "Fences" registry key using regedit.exe and upload these? It's troubling that you've been losing your settings and that restoring the backup has no effect. Feel free to include screenshots as well. Is the problem reproducable? Thank you

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting PhoenixRising1, reply 12

Thanks, If I do click under "personalized settings" and check mark the option "show titlebar controls on mouse over" then I do see an "x"

In the past I have had the option turned off and instead used the right click on the header method.

On Fences 5.80 there is a right click option "remove fence"

On Fences 5.81 the option is gone
End of PhoenixRising1's quote

 

@PhoenixRising1 thanks again for helping to catch this – we went ahead with release of 5.81, but this fix will be in 5.82 beta which will be released soon, perhaps later this week

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Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 18

@PhoenixRising1 thanks again for helping to catch this – we went ahead with release of 5.81, but this fix will be in 5.82 beta which will be released soon, perhaps later this week
End of Dr's quote

I appreciate the update. Looking forward to seeing how Fences progresses!