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WindowBlinds 11 planning

WindowBlinds 11 planning

We are putting together the schedule to make WindowBlinds 11.  

Customization is a lot harder now than it used to be.  Microsoft, for reasons unknown, has actively encouraged developers to take care of their own client and even non client (border, frame) painting rather than using standard Windows controls.  

Microsoft's baffling decision to throw away trying to provide a standard set of in-app controls for developers and instead provide vague, often conflicting standards (cough, Fluent) has resulted in having less and less of the OS we can even touch.

Which is unfortunate because WindowBlinds, in theory, could actually give Windows users a consistent, OS-wide Fluent if apps weren't handling the drawing of their own UIs these days.

Still, with that in mind, there are things we can do such as skin the standard OS controls and then handle apps on a case-by-case basis.  Keep in mind though, the more non-standard apps we have to handle, the harder it is for us to keep compatibility.

Earlier this year we released Curtains which doesn't even hook into the OS.  This means it is 100% compatible. Skins, even the weirdest ones, won't break a given app.  Of course, the price is that it doesn't skin nearly as much (no client area GUI controls like scrollbars, push buttons, radio buttons, etc.).  It's done quite well.  However, we know there are still plenty of people out there who would like to have more full control over how their Windows desktop looks.

That's where this thread comes in: What would you like to see in WindowBlinds 11?  

2,441,980 views 670 replies
Reply #576 Top
Hello
 
We soliciting here to see who might be interested in participating in WindowBlinds 11 tests in an internal Microsoft Teams environment we have set up for that effort.
 
Requirements:
  • Available for the next several weeks to provide frequent feedback
  • Have a PC that they do not mind testing on that may be subject to some downtime when resolving UI issues found
  • Moderate to above average PC skills
  • Able to provide exact steps to reproduce an issue and provide screenshots \ video.
If this is something you can commit to, please PM me and I'll send you the MS Teams invite.
 
Thanks,
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Reply #577 Top

Maybe Microsoft is trying to bankrupt stardock? :|  

Reply #578 Top

Quoting PapaBravo, reply 577

Maybe Microsoft is trying to bankrupt stardock?   

Huh?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #579 Top

It looks like Windowblinds 11 alpha is out now and that Windowblinds 11 beta will be released in "the next several weeks"

22H2 is due out real soon as well. Microsoft is simply running out of time as far as making any more huge changes.

Reply #580 Top

Ok, I have Windows 11 22622. How do I become a alpha/beta tester ?

Reply #581 Top

Quoting Robert84MK, reply 580

Ok, I have Windows 11 22622. How do I become a alpha/beta tester ?

That is a good clarifying question. I have assumed that 22H2 is a priority for Windowblinds 11 and it should get you into the testing room. I am not sure if they are also testing people who are on the DEV channel though?

Read #576

Reply #582 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 576


Hello


 


We soliciting here to see who might be interested in participating in WindowBlinds 11 tests in an internal Microsoft Teams environment we have set up for that effort.


 


Requirements:


    • Available for the next several weeks to provide frequent feedback

    • Have a PC that they do not mind testing on that may be subject to some downtime when resolving UI issues found

    • Moderate to above average PC skills

    • Able to provide exact steps to reproduce an issue and provide screenshots \ video.




If this is something you can commit to, please PM me and I'll send you the MS Teams invite.


 


Thanks,
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager


Hey Sean,

Would there be a free upgrade to WB11? How about giving the testers some software for their troubles. Or here's the best yet: How about paying them?

Thanks

Reply #583 Top

Quoting Chasbo, reply 582

Hey Sean,

Would there be a free upgrade to WB11? How about giving the testers some software for their troubles. Or here's the best yet: How about paying them?

Thanks

Great ideas Chuck! I totally concur.

Reply #584 Top

Quoting Chasbo, reply 582

Hey Sean,

Would there be a free upgrade to WB11? How about giving the testers some software for their troubles. Or here's the best yet: How about paying them?

Thanks

Quoting LightStar, reply 583

Great ideas Chuck! I totally concur.

All have received WB11 already and will be compensated by other means.

At this time, we feel we have all we need to proceed with the program.  We thank all that volunteered and are contributing.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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Reply #585 Top

It looks like 22H2 will be officially released September 20th....

....Hopefully we have a few months now before they start teasing 23H2.

Reply #586 Top

Quoting LightStar, reply 570


Quoting BradSams,






Quoting LightStar,



Thought I would ask this question... when WB11 comes out, will there also be a vastly improved SkinStudio 11 also?



Not at release - we need to get WB11 operational on Windows 11 first before we can go down the path of updating studio.



OK, I certainly hope it won't take long to develop SKS 11. Thanks.

If The "Older" skins will be Somewhat compatible on WindowBlinds 11, I'll just keep on skinning using SKS 10 as those skins/Themes will sell BOTH to people staying on the older OS as well as to People On Windows11... My 2 cents :thumbsup:  

Reply #587 Top

Quoting neone6, reply 586


Quoting LightStar,






Quoting BradSams,











Quoting LightStar,







Thought I would ask this question... when WB11 comes out, will there also be a vastly improved SkinStudio 11 also?




Not at release - we need to get WB11 operational on Windows 11 first before we can go down the path of updating studio.




OK, I certainly hope it won't take long to develop SKS 11. Thanks.

If The "Older" skins will be Somewhat compatible on WindowBlinds 11, I'll just keep on skinning using SKS 10 as those skins/Themes will sell BOTH to people staying on the older OS as well as to People On Windows11... My 2 cents :thumbsup:  

You will be able to use SKS11 on Win10 too along with WB11.

I will be strongly recommending people use the new features WB11 offers on Win10/11 such as dark mode sections and encouraging the use of the high dpi sections too.

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Reply #588 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 587

You will be able to use SKS11 on Win10 too along with WB11.

I will be strongly recommending people use the new features WB11 offers on Win10/11 such as dark mode sections and encouraging the use of the high dpi sections too.
As I understood, SKS11 won't be coming "along side" with WB11?

-When can we expect a Beta of SKS11?

Reply #589 Top

Quoting neone6, reply 588

As I understood, SKS11 won't be coming "along side" with WB11?
-When can we expect a Beta of SKS11?

It will and soon.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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Reply #590 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 589

It will and soon.
Music 2 my ears  :inlove:  

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Reply #591 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 587

I will be strongly recommending people use the new features WB11 offers on Win10/11 such as dark mode sections

Now you have my attention. B)   :thumbsup:  

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Reply #592 Top

Intel(R) Core(TM) MSI motherboard i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz   3.60 GHz 16 cores 4 1tb ssd drives 32 gigs of ram NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 built by me :)

is what I shoulda said

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Reply #593 Top

Quoting PapaBravo, reply 592

ntel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz   3.60 GHz 16 cores 3 1tb ssd drives 32 gigs of ram built by MSI
Good 4 you !|-)  

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Reply #594 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 589


Quoting neone6,

As I understood, SKS11 won't be coming "along side" with WB11?
-When can we expect a Beta of SKS11?



It will and soon.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Very cool I just renewed my object desktop because of the WB 11 soon to be in beta.  🤞

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Reply #595 Top

WindowBlinds11 = Happy days :inlove:  

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Reply #596 Top

Please hurry.

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Reply #597 Top

Been following this thread since the Windows 11 announcement - glad to hear things are progressing well and am looking forward to seeing WB11 hopefully some time soon!

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Reply #598 Top

Quoting JimWakelin, reply 597

looking forward to seeing WB11 hopefully some time soon!
THAT... We all are my friend :star:  

Reply #599 Top

Quoting PapaBravo, reply 592

9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz 16 cores

Well 9900k had 8 core + HT on and 9700k has 8core + HT off. And this cpu is old.

Quoting PapaBravo, reply 592

1tb ssd drives 32 gigs of ram

 

Only 3 ssd 1tb ? I gave 8 ssd mix 1tb and 2tb.

 

Ok 32gb but mhz ? and cl ?

 

Reply #600 Top

WB11, i have more reason now to look forward to this release and to bring me back into the WB world, great stuff.

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