Mikanojo

Join Date 01/2015

Months, Not Weeks, Months

a long time to wait for an update

i just finished reading the WindowBlinds 8 Windows 10 thread.

i read the explanations back in August saying no real work could be done

until Windows 10 came out with a stable version

then also in August another post

admitting Windows 10 had come out with a stable version and NOW Stardock would

finally get to seriously working on an update for WindowBlinds to make it compatible.

September came and went, and then so did October.

In November, i suffered through Threshold 2 update to Windows 10,

it wiped out our user account and crippled our system access

we literally had to reset the entire system; we lost a LOT of programs.

After getting full access to our own system back, and TOTALLY in the dark with no notice from Stardock

in our email, even though were are subscribed - we installed IconPackager again.

Apparently there is some harm done to Windows 10 if you uninstall IconPackager???

Thank you SO much for that cautionary email you NEVER SENT to me.

You certainly had no trouble sending me updates about other programs i do not have...

But now it is January... Even accepting the statement that they could only start working in late August,

September October, November and December have all cone and gone away now

and waiting WEEKS for an update has turned into waiting 4 MONTHS for an update.

and as of this moment, 5 January 2016 there is STILL not even an official timeline for a release date for WindowBlinds 10?

Either some aspect of the code REALLY has you all collectively confused and bebothered

or you are not actually working on it quite as "actively" as you wish us to think?

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LightStar

Join Date 12/2002

+1537

Nowhere on Stardock's site does it say that IconPackager is compatible with Windows 10 (or even Windows 8 for that matter)and Windowblinds 10 has already been released, but only to Object Desktop subscribers at this time.

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IconPackager should refuse to install on Windows 10.

WindowBlinds 10 is currently in beta and if you are an ObjectDesktop subscriber you can download the beta now from the store.

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and as of this moment, 5 January 2016 there is STILL not even an official timeline for a release date for WindowBlinds 10?

You asked in your other post about WindowBlinds 10 on December 21, 2015. I replied with a link to the forum post regarding information on the beta release.

https://forums.wincustomize.com/474228/page/1/#3610094

Perhaps you should check your own posts for updates.

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i will try to answer all 3 replies

1. I want to be certain i understand you sir, are you telling me that the official WindowBlinds 10 IS available, but ONLY to people who

bought the entire Object Desktop suite, NOT to the people who simply BOUGHT WINDOWBLINDS?

2 IconPackager 5.10 ( the version we bought and kept a back up copy of ) DID install on Windows 10, even after the Threshold 2 debacle.

It is currently working exactly as it should, we are using the Delta package that comes in the install with no issues so far. What i read in the forums tells a vague warning that it will cause some unmentioned, apparently unmentionable harm if you try to uninstall it?

3. i am NOT asking for a bug-filled BETA; i am not paid to risk our operating system and all of our data playing crash test dummy for Stardock.

And what ever you sent me apparently gave no notice i our email. This forum post for example DID send me a note when you replied to it.

And yes i did ask back in December - before and since then i have been quietly peeping at the WindowBlinds product page to see if WindowBlinds 10 was released and it only says that support for Windows 10 is "coming soon" - any one who looks at the product page will see the same message i did.

But then it really did not come for me, according to Lightstar that was meant for the people who bought Object Desktop???

i was not upset in December, but i am now.

If WindowBlinds 10 IS officially released, then all of the people who purchased WindowBlinds who signed up for email alerts about when it would be available for Windows 10 and have not received that email update, just spam about OTHER programs, is due both an update notice and an apology.

If that WindowBlinds 10 is only a BETA version, then it is still NOT an official update is it?

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I was able to quickly verify that LightStar was exactly correct...

The WindowBlinds 10 BETA update is only available to people who buy the entire Object Desktop.

So first you buy WindowBlinds, and then when it stops working on Windows,

now Stardock wants MORE money from me to get a product update?

No sirs. No. Not even one more penny.

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Quoting Mikanojo,

reply 5

So first you buy WindowBlinds, and then when it stops working on Windows

WindowBlinds still works on the windows version stated on it's product page.

System Requirements

Windows 8/7

Those that are ObjectDesktop subscribers receive updates and "betas" for one year.

Also stated on the product page.

Access updates and betas for included software for one year.

Nobody forced you to upgrade your Windows OS to version 10.

WindowBlinds 10 is currently in "beta" so it is only available to ObjectDesktop subscribers.

At the moment there is no date for when WindowBlinds 10 will be released.

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Quoting Hankers,

reply 6

Quoting Mikanojo,

reply 5

So first you buy WindowBlinds, and then when it stops working on Windows

WindowBlinds still works on the windows version stated on it's product page.

System Requirements

Windows 8/7

Those that are ObjectDesktop subscribers receive updates and "betas" for one year.

Also stated on the product page.

Access updates and betas for included software for one year.

Nobody forced you to upgrade your Windows OS to version 10.

WindowBlinds 10 is currently in "beta" so it is only available to ObjectDesktop subscribers.

At the moment there is no date for when WindowBlinds 10 will be released.

And THAT is exactly what i wrote about in the first place - the sad reality that at the moment there is no date for when

WindowBlinds 10 will be released.

i have discussed this with gifu and we are just not going to buy it again.

Regardless of the excuse you offer to defend them, Stardock is apparently making money off of people who already paid

for the program by expecting them to keep buying it as Windows updates - Windows will always be updating - but oddly enough

they let us get bug fixes and updates for free

They even updated people to Windows 10 for FREE

as long as you get it during this time

call that incentive to upgrade now.

Microsoft calls all of those free fixes and updates customer support.

Stardock apparently follows a model of customer exploit instead.

Actual planned obsolescence in software and the expectation

that customers will keep buying it just to have it WORKING again.

We learned a lesson to be certain;

and we will share that lesson with others, be certain of that too.

Unsubscribing from this post

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I'm not sure why you're blaming Stardock for your own mistakes. You yourself. noted the TH2 update IN NOVEMBER which made significant changes to the OS and UI. I don't understand your anger based on your own inconsistent claims. Seriously are you arguing that something that skins an OS wouldn't need basically a complete rewrite based on the changes to the OS from Windows 7/8.1? How is that Stardock's fault...and why do you expect that for free?

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Chasbo

Join Date 01/2005

+968

I have a question for Lightstar. You are a very prolific WB skinner and it's unusual that you haven't put a skin since 11-30-15. Is it because you are waiting to do skins for WB10? I ask this with all due respect to you Sir. I am merely curious.

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Chasbo

Join Date 01/2005

+968

Here's another observation. It seems like because of Win10 there's a deer in the headlights thing going on with customization. Normally the January screenshots thread would be going pretty good by now but there's been only one screenshot posted. The regular screenshot page is more or less dead. Screenshots are important because they show what people are actually doing with these customization products. I'm guilty for not posting much anymore myself so I'm not being critical so much as pointing out the facts. It seems like customization is on life support right now.

I think the original point of this whole thread is born out of frustration. Stardock is a business and Microsoft threw a curve ball that is hard to hit. As stated elsewhere Stardock has more pans in the fire than just Windowblinds or IP. They are probably doing what they can to get things working as best as they can work as soon as they can. Anybody that's been around here for some time has seen a lot of changes in customization but this particular period of time seems to be very daunting and that's because of Microsoft. I think that should be the main point of it all. It's not Stardock's fault and they will get it sorted out. Be patient.

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Windows 10 is NOT an update.It is NOT free for ALL versions of windows users,there goes that argument as for the other argument it's called "keeping market share" Apple users are prepared to pay for updates windows user aren't.

Windowblinds works for the version of windows you bought it for,please explain why you should have a lifetime of free upgrades without a sub,especially when you knew what the TERMS were when purchasing ?, the semantics in this thread from the OP doesn't wash i intend to treat this topic with the contempt it deserves

unsubscribed.....lmao

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neone6

Join Date 12/2010

+942

Quoting scorpNZ,

reply 11

unsubscribed.....lmao

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Uvah

Join Date 05/2006

+874

Nope...not gonna do it.............

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Regarding IP 5.1, if you are using an older version it would not be aware of Windows 10 and thus not able to automatically block installation on that OS. Later versions of the installer are aware and will do so.

Regarding updates, whilst Microsoft offered Windows 10 for free as an upgrade there is something in it for them long term. Stardock are not receiving any money from them for this and I am afraid development, QA, Support all cost money and so WindowBlinds 10 is not a free upgrade from WindowBlinds 8. This is our standard policy as in fact it was Microsoft policy too until Windows 10 and will be their policy from July 2016 again. Most paid for software vendors also charge for upgrades.

Oddly enough $9.99 does not entitle you to a lifetime of upgrades to an app as you change the OS you run it on.

It is worth remembering that you chose to upgrade your OS. You could have stayed on your existing OS where your paid for apps (which never stated they worked on Windows 10...) would have continued to work.

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benmanns

Join Date 12/2005

+93

I see that many go against the points the OP provided here, i however have to agree that you could have send out an email to warn them upfront.
We have these posts since vista...

Apparently there is some harm done to Windows 10 if you uninstall IconPackager???

Thank you SO much for that cautionary email you NEVER SENT to me.

You certainly had no trouble sending me updates about other programs i do not have...

This goes same as for windows8... which is also not listed as compatible and was not mentioned back then.
Would be nice if there were a notification/email before one goes and upgrades.
Something like: Dear customer, it is only x Days until windows8/10 comes to your local stores and you might want to upgrade to that OS, therefore we want to inform you upfront that these following apps from Stardock are currently not compatible.
Iconpackager, ....
We are currently working on an upgrade.

+ Some instructions maybe

If you plan on upgrading please make sure to uninstall the Application before you go and upgrade your system.
Reason: It might render the system useless.
To prevent this please navigate to the system settings and uninstall IP
Remove the Iconhandler entry with the provided stardock tool (example that you could offer via link in that very email.)
Finally Reboot your system.

Something like that

Not everyone is a power user, some customers demand some service, notification or info, when there is a new OS coming out, such an email should have priority over advertising Games.
I think it would not hurt to send out mails to customers upfront, and warn them about the incompatibility, i also only received mail about the cool stardock games, while I don't even own a single one.
I can see why the OP is angry about that.

Just saying that it would save you lots of trouble and anger from folks that do not check Wincustomize forums frequently.

This could be compared to the hate topic about Symantec, where you stated that the Norton insight blocked you're executables from running.
The irony here is that there was only a "little user base" back then, that caused the "unknown file" to be blocked by Insight.
In this case there is only a small group of people informed that the app won’t work but yet you rather let them trash their systems rendering most people unable to restore it on their own.
At that point it is too late to say that they could have found that info on the Homepage.
1 Mail guys...

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LightStar

Join Date 12/2002

+1537

Quoting Chasbo,

reply 9

waiting to do skins for WB10? I ask this with all due respect to you Sir. I am merely curious.

Quoting Chasbo,

reply 9

Yup, that was part of the reason, but there is a new WB skin called Element in the approval queue right now that works on Windows 7, 8 and 10 (using the Windows 8 sub-style). On Windows 10 however there is still the issue of the start button states not working correctly, and having to change the explorer window background color manually in WB10, but I am sure Stardock will get those issues worked out in time.

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RedneckDude

Join Date 04/2009

+2213

Quoting LightStar,

reply 16

and having to change the explorer window background color manually in WB10

I am confused due to the fact that several of vStyler's 7 and 8 skins have colored explorer backgrounds that work. So, does this mean that it can be done in SKS, bot not in WindowBlinds?

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Island Dog

Join Date 06/2003

+1047

The OP has been sufficiently answered.

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