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Activation Error with ObjectDock 30-day Trial

The program says Activation Error 212

July 16, 2025 5:36:53 PM from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I successfully activated the ObjectDock 30-day trial, but when I try to use it, it keeps prompting me to activate. (Error: 212)

On the website, it say that the solution to this problem is:

Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time. A "Run" dialog box will pop up. Type %ProgramData%\Stardock\ into the "Open" field and press OK. In the folder that pops up, you should see a folder named PRODUCTNAME (<-- the product that is giving you the error). Please delete this folder and all of its contents. After you have deleted that folder, please attempt to activate it once again and it should succeed without any errors.

I pressed Windows key + R and in the dialog box, I typed "%ProgramData%\Stardock\", but a window pops up and say "C:\ProgramData\Stardock is unavailable".  I looked in the the C:\ProgramData folder and there is no Stardock folder.

So how do fix the activation error?

accounts and activation help
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JBee65
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #1 July 16, 2025 8:00:58 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Perhaps because you have done the 30 days trial before?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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JBee65
JBee65
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Reply #2 July 17, 2025 10:15:29 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thanks for your response.

No, that's not it.  I've never done the trial before. Besides, I have a new computer and a new email address, so even if I did a trial at some point and forgot about it, there wouldn't be any record of it anyway. 

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JBee65
basj
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Reply #3 July 17, 2025 11:04:33 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

When you install ObjectDock what error popup? Also which version you're trying to install?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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JBee65
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Reply #4 July 17, 2025 12:16:12 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hi

I installed ObjectDock 3. The installation file that I downloaded says it's version 3.0.1.4.

When I installed it yesterday, I got an email which had a button to activate the 30-day trial. I clicked the button and it took me to the Stardock website. The page said:

"ObjectDock 3 Trial Validation Successful. You have successfully validated your 30-day trial. You may return to ObjectDock 3 and evaluate the software. After 30 days you must purchase the software to continue using all of the product's features."

But when I opened ObjectDock, a window popped up and it asked me to enter a product key, purchase a product key, or start the 30-day trial. I didn't understand what happened because the website just told me it was activated. I thought it was a glitch, so I restarted ObjectDock and got the activation error when I clicked on the dock. (Error code: 212)

As I said in my original post, I followed the instructions on the website to fix it, but the folder it told me to delete wasn't there. 

 

 

 

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basj
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Reply #5 July 17, 2025 7:53:02 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Quoting JBee65,
reply 4

But when I opened ObjectDock, a window popped up and it asked me to enter a product key, purchase a product key, or start the 30-day trial.

Did you press the Start the 30-days trial button?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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JBee65
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Reply #6 July 18, 2025 9:44:51 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hi Basj,

Yes. I entered my email and I pressed the 30-day trial button. Then I got an email which had a button to activate the 30-day trial. I clicked the button and it took me to the Stardock website. The page said:

"ObjectDock 3 Trial Validation Successful. You have successfully validated your 30-day trial. You may return to ObjectDock 3 and evaluate the software. After 30 days you must purchase the software to continue using all of the product's features."

But for some reason, the program didn't recognize the activation. I don't know what happened.

Thanks again for trying to troubleshoot this with me.

 

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basj
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Reply #7 July 18, 2025 9:55:06 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I pressed Windows key + R and in the dialog box, I typed "%ProgramData%\Stardock\", but a window pops up and say "C:\ProgramData\Stardock is unavailable". I looked in the the C:\ProgramData folder and there is no Stardock folder.

Try again, and right after you activate it do the checking again. Does the "C:\ProgramData\Stardock" appear immediately after you install it? If you do not see it, probably there is system cleaning application that running in your system keep deleting it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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JBee65
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Reply #8 July 18, 2025 4:32:32 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hi Basj,

I uninstalled ObjectDock. I thought it might be ZoneAlarm Firewall/AntiVirus that was causing the problem, so I uninstalled that, too. I also turned off Windows Defender. Then I reinstalled ObjectDock. I entered my email, but when I clicked on the 30-day Trial button, I got the same error (Error code: 212)

I kept Windows Explorer open during the install. The "C:\ProgramData\Stardock" folder never appeared at all. 

I don't have any cleaning applications running, so I don't know what's going on. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to be able to use ObjectDock.  For some reason, my computer is interfering with the install. 

Thanks for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it.

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JBee65
basj
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Reply #9 July 18, 2025 8:45:50 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I believe, something is blocking it. If you have Windows Pro version, you should have Windows Sandbox function. Try installing in Windows Sandbox and see if the same error happen while in there. Refer here on how to test in Sandbox: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1416855562/Testing+Start+in+Sandbox 

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Reply #10 July 20, 2025 5:25:36 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I have Windows 11 Home, but I've been told that there's a way to install Sandbox. I haven't had time to do it this weekend. I may try to install it during the week. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Reply #11 July 20, 2025 6:51:54 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hi Basj,

I got it to work! I feel really stupid because I should've thought of this sooner: I located the ObjectDock.exe and the ObjectDockUI.exe files. I went into the Properties>Compatibility section of both .exe files, and I clicked the box next to "Run this program as an administrator". That's it. That's all I had to do. It activated as soon as I put my email address into the pop-up.

I feel silly for not thinking of this sooner because in the past, I've had problems with a program saying that I'm not connected to the internet when I'm definitely connected to the internet. I'd spend time troubleshooting the problem, and after ruling out the antivirus and firewall, I'd select "run as administrator" and the program would work. It hasn't happened in a long time, so it didn't even occur to me to try it this time - until it popped into my head today. 

Thank you for troubleshooting with me. It was so nice of you and I appreciate it very much. [e digicons]|-)[/e]  

Take care.

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basj
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Reply #12 July 20, 2025 7:43:41 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Awesome, really glad you've figured it out.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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