WindowFX Not working

No effect on system whatsoever

from Stardock Forums

I just installed WindowFX 6 and it doesn't do anything. In the configuration window I am giving a message that disappears when my mouse hovers over it as well.

All other tabs have a similar issue. For example the second tab, "Animations," includes a picklist and some buttons but once I hover over them with my mouse they disappear. Is this a known issue or due to a known conflict by chance?

The program creates no visual effects whatsoever, even the tray icon is not visible. 

windowfx
39,168 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hello,

Would you Please do this PURGE: https://forums.stardock.com/485903/windowfx-support-faq#reinstalling

Reboot and ReInstall the latest version from your account https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products/

Reboot test and report back here please.

 

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you for the reply.  I'll try to be as accurate as possible in my recollection of events. 

I ran the purge.  A message prompt was issued telling me when asked to restart to select "no," but there was no such choice.  There was a simple info message informing me to restart.  From the CMD window, I was also given the four duplicate messages that read, "ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value."  Nevertheless, it did tell me the purge was successful.  

The file in my account was listed as Legacy/Unsupported, but I just bought it a couple days ago, if that's relevant.  The installation procedure went by with no issues that I could see, thought it was slightly different from the initial installation I had done yesterday:  There was no hitch install for Start 10, and there was no placeholder key written in the Activation Key area.  

The problem persists exactly as before, where the program appears to run ok, but a section of the program window disappears when I click it.  There remains no tray icon, though I can see it is checked in the appropriate area.  

Some general information here, I purchased this as a part of a Humble Bundle deal a couple days ago I think.  I have the most recent stable version of Windows 10.  I have several other Stardock software applications installed as well, most everything currently listed in my account.  

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

 

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

How long do you think I am going to wait to hear something regarding this issue?

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kyoushoku, reply 4

How long do you think I am going to wait to hear something regarding this issue?

This long.

I just installed WindowFX 6 and it doesn't do anything. In the configuration window I am giving a message that disappears when my mouse hovers over it as well.

What does it read (screenshot)?

All other tabs have a similar issue. For example the second tab, "Animations," includes a picklist and some buttons but once I hover over them with my mouse they disappear.

Can you create a video of this, upload it to a cloud service (GoogleDrive, OneDrive, DropBox, etc) and post a shared link here?

I also show that you activated, deactivated (probably the purge/uninstall) but have not yet activated again.  Are you being prompted to activate again but are dismissing the activation window?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I tried to get it running last week to no avail.  I purged and reinstalled twice at least, and haven't avoided activating the product on puspose, but I removed everything from my system until I thought I could try to get it working again.  

Here is an example

https://ibb.co/dQ2CTjs

https://ibb.co/KyDF43S

When I mouse over that section of the window, a section disappears.  This happens on all the other tabs, as well.  Not sure if it is relevant or not, but Windows Blinds, which was purchased at the same time also does nothing.  

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

For starters, something is very wrong with your WinFX UI:

What DPI to you have set?  Can you try it at other, lower, settings?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

My DPI was set at 125% with the Windows 10 Advanced Scaling option checked. After changing the scaling to 100% (also I lowered my resolution to standard HD, as things do get very tiny at 4K, but the UI was identical) I took two more sample screen shots.  

https://ibb.co/JpxF2Wg

https://ibb.co/93Z91Nx

The 

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know more:

1) Windows version installed. Please use Winver.exe for full version numbers.

2) WindowFX version.

3) More information on your system. Is the system by any chance running on ARM processor (Surface Pro)? Or any other relevant information.

Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Windows 10 Version 1903 OS Build 18362.720

WindowsFX 6.05

Running Skylake i7 

32 GB Ram

Nvidia 980GT

Using on board video for third monitor

 

 

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Need information on:

1) Monitor/s setup, resolution on each, scaling applied on it?

2) Windows display language?

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Two monitors

Primary is 4k RES 125% scaling

secondary is 1080 100% scaling

Display language is English, but OS was originally in Japanese.  Occasionally some system messages and a few Windows based things still display in Japanese, but it's rather rare.

 

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kyoushoku, reply 6

When I mouse over that section of the window, a section disappears. This happens on all the other tabs, as well. Not sure if it is relevant or not, but Windows Blinds, which was purchased at the same time also does nothing.

Hello again,

Just notice this you also can't run Windowblinds? Have you uninstalled it?

 

And also please try the following:

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

-For 7 Users: click Start, in the start search field type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator'.

-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.

Thank you,

 

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

 

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

I have had Windowsblinds uninstalled since I began this thread.

 

I ran the scan and was informed that the issues that were found would be fixed upon reboot.  I was not given any details regarding what issues were found.  Upon rebooting the system, I noticed my desktop icons returned to their original images.

I installed the program again and the issues remain unchanged as far as I can tell. 

 

To be sure, I ran the scan again and was not given any error messages.

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kyoushoku, reply 10

Windows 10 Version 1903 OS Build 18362.720

Hello,

Please try updating your system to the latest Windows 10 V1909. And retest.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Understood.  I have updated Windows to V1909 and reinstalled the program. The problem remains the same, including not seeing it in the system tray.

https://ibb.co/h94HJDw

 

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your questions/problems to the Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks.  I created another administrator account, and ran through the clean boot as per Microsoft's instructions. 

 

I installed the program and ran it under the new account.  Upon running it, the display appeared the same, and there was no visible icon in the tray, but I was capable of sliding the features button to "on," and was capable of selecting options in the other tabs where previously the top line was disappearing.  That being said, the only feature I got to work was the enable transparency dragging and enable momentum dragging under the movement tab. 

 

My next step, unless you have another idea, will be a full clean install of Windows after a format of my main drive.  I haven't done this in some time as I fear it will be rather tedious, but it's probably good practice every now and then. Once I reinstall Windows I will install the Stardock software first and report back here. 

 

 

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kyoushoku, reply 19

My next step, unless you have another idea, will be a full clean install of Windows after a format of my main drive.  I haven't done this in some time as I fear it will be rather tedious, but it's probably good practice every now and then. Once I reinstall Windows I will install the Stardock software first and report back here. 

I have no doubt that the effort will prove successful.  Very much looking forward to hearing your results.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Good news.  The reinstallation from scratch was the way to go.  I haven't full tested all of the FX features, but I am optimistic to presume there shouldn't be any issues as I have only a web browser and Stardock software installed currently.  If I suddenly have issues in the future upon installing some other software I will be sure to mention it as conflicting software.  

 

Thanks for your help!

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, glad it get solved.

Thank you for reporting back.

 

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
   As I read this post, I see that I've a problem too, But not the same.
when I want to turn on the program it shows me an error window telling me " The WindowFX service does not appear to be running correctly ".
I've tried so many solutions to fix that, but nothing changed, So I asked to get help with that please. 
The version that I use is 6.13 but only the older one works 6.05.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting SYC1911, reply 23

Hello,
   As I read this post, I see that I've a problem too, But not the same.
when I want to turn on the program it shows me an error window telling me " The WindowFX service does not appear to be running correctly ".
I've tried so many solutions to fix that, but nothing changed, So I asked to get help with that please. 
The version that I use is 6.13 but only the older one works 6.05.

Ensure the service is indeed started and set to 'Automatic'

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager