DeskScapes v 26.01 Beta Feedback

from Stardock Forums

With the DeskScapes 26.01 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 DeskScapes 2026 a better product.

 

release deskscapes
474 views 9 replies | Pinned
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

DeskScapes 2026 v26.0.1.1

Date

06/22/2026

Version

File Version: 26.0.1.1

Changes

  • Adds in AI MCP server (see MCPserver.md in the install dir for how to add it to things)

  • Fixes AI wallpapers page not working in the last build

  • Fixes some of the desktop effects not working right occasionally

  • Fixes clicking back on AI restyle page locking things up

  • Tweaks the rendering of thumbnails in app to have rounded top to blur area too

  • Reducing the need for the explorer restart on apply

  • Fixed the desktop effects altering the desktop animation speed

  • Fixed the stretch over monitor setting not saving

  • New control option for which GPU used for AI restyle/Wallpaper

  • Other minor fixes for flicker issues

  • Adds in three new AI restyle styles (with New badges)

  • Resolves tray icon not showing always

  • Resolves some fences background effects not being visible

  • Resolves desktop effects impacting the frame rate

  • General improvements to AI Restyle and Desktop effects for consistency when applied

  • Most of the supported core languages are now included

  • Adds some missing strings and support for them

  • Fixes issue with launching build a dream file UI

  • Allows spaces before and after strings in info panels

  • Fixes year value for date-based items like x days until y

  • Fix for countdown date accuracy

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.

  •  Core language translation are only 90% complete.  They will be finalized upon release.
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Since DeskScapes 2026, the second image in Desktop Backgrounds is always black. I'm not sure why, or if it even matters, but curious just the same. Also, choosing an image here doesn't seem to disable DeskScapes as it did before.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting pelaird, reply 3994754

Since DeskScapes 2026, the second image in Desktop Backgrounds is always black. I'm not sure why, or if it even matters, but curious just the same. 

End of pelaird's quote

Thanks for the post.  I can also see some black background images in the "Recent images" section of Windows settings.  It seems like occasionally/rarely, this can happen after I apply a background from DeskScapes. There will be a brief moment where the background turns black, before it correctly loads the background I selected.  My guess is that as a result of this, Windows is adding both that black background and the new one to the recent images area.

Quoting pelaird, reply 3994754

Also, choosing an image here doesn't seem to disable DeskScapes as it did before.

End of pelaird's quote

This I'm not reproducing.  If DeskScapes is enabled, the Settings cog will show a "Disable DeskScapes" option.  If I click one of Windows' Settings recent images to load a background from there, I see that option in DeskScapes go away.  I'm curious if this happens every time for you in this way, and if you are expecting DeskScapes to become disabled in some other way.

Thanks again for the feedback.  

Best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Quoting Abisnabidam, reply 3994755

This I'm not reproducing.  If DeskScapes is enabled, the Settings cog will show a "Disable DeskScapes" option.  If I click one of Windows' Settings recent images to load a background from there, I see that option in DeskScapes go away.  I'm curious if this happens every time for you in this way, and if you are expecting DeskScapes to become disabled in some other way.

End of Abisnabidam's quote

If I select an image from the Windows Settings, Personalization> Background, the image is applied to the desktop, but the Info Panel remains active. This is why I assumed DeskScapes was still active, but after opening the DS Config app I see DS is not actually active.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting pelaird, reply 3994757

If I select an image from the Windows Settings, Personalization> Background, the image is applied to the desktop, but the Info Panel remains active. This is why I assumed DeskScapes was still active, but after opening the DS Config app I see DS is not actually active.

End of pelaird's quote

It does seem that in order to disable an Info Pane, you would uncheck where it was first enabled, manually.  It doesn't get disabled from the "Disable DeskScapes" option, or from changing backgrounds in Windows.  I'll have this logged.

Internal reference: ODNT-12470

Thanks again and best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Quoting Abisnabidam, reply 3994760

It does seem that in order to disable an Info Pane, you would uncheck where it was first enabled, manually.  It doesn't get disabled from the "Disable DeskScapes" option, or from changing backgrounds in Windows.  I'll have this logged.

End of Abisnabidam's quote

That's actually not a bad thing. It would allow for using a Windows applied background with the Info Pane, and without DeskScapes being enabled. That is unless Stardock doesn't want the Info Pane used without DeskScapes. I'm not sure this situation would survive a computer restart.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting pelaird, reply 3994763

That's actually not a bad thing. It would allow for using a Windows applied background with the Info Pane, and without DeskScapes being enabled. That is unless Stardock doesn't want the Info Pane used without DeskScapes. I'm not sure this situation would survive a computer restart.

End of pelaird's quote

A fair point, I can see how someone might want that.  And it does seem to keep the Info Pane through restart even with DeskScapes disabled.  The only concern may be consistency/clarity.  As you expected it to do it, someone else might expect the same.