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Error: 'Fences has detected that Explorer was not closed properly'

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Error: 'Fences has detected that Explorer was not closed properly'

from Stardock Forums

EDIT 08/02/2022
Seeing that all known crash issues have been addressed within Fences 4, we are closing this thread.  If you are still using Fences 3 and experiencing crashes, please install the trial for Fences 4 to see if you still see them:

https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/download-trial

Should your issues be resolved, there is a substantial discount to upgrade to Fences 4:

https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/download

EDIT 05/19/2022

We think we might have a fix for one crash that is possible with Fences and folder portals.  Please see if the just-released beta does indeed resolve it for you and report back here either way, please.

https://forums.stardock.com/512519/fences-4059-beta-feedback-thead

Special thanks to k3nny5 for working with us in Teams to help resolve it.

EDIT 05/12/2020
Changed the process for collecting data \ crash dumps in the instructions below.

EDIT 12/23/2021
Thanks to help from user altae here, we have confirmed that if DisplayFusion is running, this can cause the issue.  If you have DisplayFusion installed, or other 3rd party multimonitor software (Actual Multiple Monitors, UltraMon, etc), please try uninstalling and a reboot. 

EDIT 12/21/2021
If you are seeing this issue on Windows 11, and have WindowBlinds installed as well, it will very likely crash.  Please uninstall WindowBlinds to see if you still have the issue.

EDIT 11/01/2021
Any post that does not directly contribute to finding the cause will likely be removed.  Also, to find said cause, the data asked for above is crucial.  If it is absent, the post will likely be removed. 

EDIT 10/25/2021
We are seeing that many PC \ OS related issues are clouding the data \ feedback received on this issue.

Prior to doing any of the below, we ask that you have 1st don't the following.

If nothing is resolved from it, please proceed with the below.

For some, when enabling Fences, they are seeing:

'Fences has detected that Explorer was not closed properly'

Specifically for them, we need more data to find the cause. 

Manually Collecting Crash Dump

We are now asking for the manual collection of crash dumps.  instructions on how to do this has been posted here:

https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#CrashDumps

To help see if Fences is the cause of any crash, Fences has the capability to capture more data when there are crashes.  To enable it, the Fences registry needs to be changed.  One can do so by downloading and running this registry edit file:

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/FencesAllCrashesNew.zip

We are continuing to look into the crashing reports but we believe the number of users impacted is small at this time. That said, we take this very seriously and want to try and triage specific cases to see if there is a common denominator. 

MS Teams Collaboration

As one would suspect, this cant be done in the forums for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is we need data (startups, running services, sysinfo, etc).  To best accomplish this, we are going to set up a Microsoft Teams 'Team' \ Channel and invite clients having this issue to it.  The requirements for participation would be:

  • English speaking and preferably in the Western Hemisphere (for real-time chat)
  • Able to reproduce crashes at will with the latest version of Fences 4 (not Fences 3)
  • Are ok to submit data (startups, running services, sysinfo, etc) upon request
  • Are willing to stick with the troubleshooting process for (potentially) weeks.

If you can meet these requirements, please post as much here and I will send out invitations and instructions to you directly.

We thank you very much for your feedback and patience.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

fences
660,730 views 284 replies
Reply #251 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting mlldk, reply 250

Will this beta be licensed for us with a Fences 3 license key?

No, the beta is for Fences4, the active product

Paul Scroggins
Associate Technical Support Analyst

Siege of Centauri
Reply #253 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting mlldk, reply 250

Will this beta be licensed for us with a Fences 3 license key?

I am afraid that only Fences 4 will see any updates going forward.

Quoting mlldk, reply 252

so that means that us with fences 3 is just stuck with a corrupt verison for now and in the future?

We can't account for how an OS might change over time which could introduce issues for older software. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #254 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JMBWITHCATS1, reply 249

Damn, looks like my Object Desktop subscription expired in late April, basically a year I couldn't even use it. Any help for that?  lol 

If you have never used the trial, that will work.  If you have, let me know and Ill reset the trial for you.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #255 from Stardock Forums Top

Trial? No, I paid for Object Desktop for a year and I wasn't able to use it for that entire year.

Object DesktopDownload Software

Reply #256 from Stardock Forums Top

This thread is about the Fences error. Contact customer service directly for your unrelated issue.

Reply #257 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JMBWITHCATS1, reply 255

Trial? No, I paid for Object Desktop for a year and I wasn't able to use it for that entire year.

Object DesktopDownload Software

You can use this link to get the beta and activate the trial with it.  If it works, let me know, please.

https://cdn.stardock.us/downloads/public/software/fences/Fences_4.05.09-j68-Setup.exe

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #259 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ymzk6662276, reply 258

I bought in STEAM. Why we didn't saved by beta ver? or Why we can't get ver 4?

Much of this effort it for the final phases of getting Fences 4 on Steam - it wont be long now.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #260 from Stardock Forums Top

The Fences 4 beta has been updated.  Please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/512519/get;3852518

Again, thanks for all your feedback.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #261 from Stardock Forums Top

I have upgraded to 4 and activated the initial download - but 4 is not shown on the 'My Downloads' page.  What do I need to do to make it visible (and hence get access to the beta)?

 

Reply #262 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting timfg, reply 261

I have upgraded to 4 and activated the initial download - but 4 is not shown on the 'My Downloads' page.  What do I need to do to make it visible?

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. You can check using this guide if you purchase registered under same account as your main account using this guide : https://forums.stardock.com/484254/getting-your-products-and-keys. If the product not appear there. Than it might be you have purchase under different email address. Might be under your paypal email address, if you was using that payment method. Or lots of time user tend to have a typo in the email address when purchasing the product.

If that the case you can raise a Support ticket using the link below. Include all information details. Remember to record down the ticket number for future reference if needed. Do not raise multiple ticket, that will make your ticket back to the end of the line. Send once and wait. Ticket will be answer by the order they send in.

https://stardock.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/4

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #263 from Stardock Forums Top

I think I did have a typo in the email address when I activated it (not with the one in the purchase - I used Paypal, but it's the same address.  Can I un/reinstall and reactivate using the same address?

Reply #264 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting timfg, reply 263

I think I did have a typo in the email address when I activated it (not with the one in the purchase - I used Paypal, but it's the same address.  Can I un/reinstall and reactivate using the same address?

 

No, is the answer :-) Odd that you don't validate it on activation.  Ho hum, I'll raise a ticket

Reply #265 from Stardock Forums Top

I installed the 4 beta and it let me use my Object Desktop code to activate it and so far no problems!

Reply #267 from Stardock Forums Top

So I reinstalled windows 11 pro fresh last week, installed Fences and it was fine.

Then windows had some updates and started getting the error again.

Hope this helps.

The last windows updates list

Quality Updates:

2022-06 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 11 for x64 (KB5013889)

2022-04 Update for Windows 11 for x64-based Systems (KB4023057)

Driver updates:

Canon Printer, Intel Component, Nvidia Display 

Definition Updates:

Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus - KB2267602 (Version 1.369.809.0)

Other Updates:

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.102 (KB890830)

Windows Intelligence Update

 

Reply #268 from Stardock Forums Top

I get this error when I change desktop wallpaper. Usually, the day after I restart my computer. Restoring the previous snapshot used to fix it for a while. 

I am still getting this error :c

 

Armor

Reply #269 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting armorwraith, reply 268

I get this error when I change desktop wallpaper. Usually, the day after I restart my computer. Restoring the previous snapshot used to fix it for a while. 

I am still getting this error :c

Armor

With the current beta version?

https://forums.stardock.com/512519/fences-40521-beta-feedback-thead

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

 

Reply #270 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JMBWITHCATS1, reply 267

So I reinstalled windows 11 pro fresh last week, installed Fences and it was fine.

Then windows had some updates and started getting the error again.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for this but what would help more is getting a dump when it happens.  You can follow this to get one:

https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#CrashDumps

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #271 from Stardock Forums Top

v3.1.3.3   Windows 10

Ok, unfortunately I have just joined this club.  Today, my power went out for a split second and then back on.  When I booted up my pc I started getting this error: 'Fences has detected that Windows was not closed down properly......'

I have reinstalled Fences twice.  When I try to Re-Enable Fences my desktop flashes 3 times, then that message, and then half of my systray apps are gone.  I lose my audio and other stuff on my system.  Tried several things posted on these forums.  

Is there a FIX for this yet??  I see this has been posted on from back in early 2021!!  But I can't find a posted fix!!?

My Event Viewer shows these errors:

Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 10.0.19041.1806, time stamp: 0xa02987c8
Faulting module name: DesktopDock64.dll, version: 3.1.3.3, time stamp: 0x61081edf
Exception code: 0xc0000409
Fault offset: 0x0000000000024434
Faulting process id: 0x1704
Faulting application start time: 0x01d89a18f362449e
Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
Faulting module path: c:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\DesktopDock64.dll
Report Id: 5d4657e4-c508-4896-8871-a7c84757ce42
Faulting package full name: 
Faulting package-relative application ID: 

 

The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID 
{2593F8B9-4EAF-457C-B68A-50F6B8EA6B54}
 and APPID 
{15C20B67-12E7-4BB6-92BB-7AFF07997402} to the user MAXIMUS-12-HERO\Andy SID (S-1-5-21-1263580550-1581290863-371371469-1001) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Unavailable SID (Unavailable). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

 

 The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID 
{2593F8B9-4EAF-457C-B68A-50F6B8EA6B54}
 and APPID 
{15C20B67-12E7-4BB6-92BB-7AFF07997402}
 to the user MAXIMUS-12-HERO\Andy SID (S-1-5-21-1263580550-1581290863-371371469-1001) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Unavailable SID (Unavailable). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

 

 

 

Reply #272 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Snacko, reply 271

v3.1.3.3   Windows 10

Ok, unfortunately I have just joined this club.  Today, my power went out for a split second and then back on.  When I booted up my pc I started getting this error: 'Fences has detected that Windows was not closed down properly......'

I have reinstalled Fences twice.  When I try to Re-Enable Fences my desktop flashes 3 times, then that message, and then half of my systray apps are gone.  I lose my audio and other stuff on my system.  Tried several things posted on these forums.  

That reads like something went very wrong at a system level when you lost power.  Please try:

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #273 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the reply Sean.  Yesterday, after about 3 hours I think I have fixed it.  I first backed this up, then I just deleted this registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Fences

I started Fences again, and it acted like a new installation of it.  (uninstalling the app and reinstalling didn't do that)  So it asked me if I wanted to have it automatically group icons, and I said yes, and it worked!!  My 231 icons were group in 3 Fences.  So, then I restored the .reg backup and told it to Restore my old (yesterday) snapshot, and it crashed and failed like before...

So, I deleted that reg key again and rebooted.  And went though the same thing again.  Only this time I didn't restore the reg key.  And I selected my Snapshot from yesterday.   And it didn't work.  I can't remember if it crashed, but it didn't group anything.  So when I later rebooted, it worked!!  It used my snapshot and displayed correctly.  And today when I booted up it's still working.  Time will tell...  But I think it's fixed.

I've attached my original Reg key, the new Reg Key after I 'fixed' it, and the way it is this morning (in case anything changed) for you to research if necessary..  I do remember changing that Fences/CrashReporting flag from 1 to 0 in the beginning, and later back to 1.  Not sure if that makes any diff.  

PS: Also, due to that Event Viewer Permissions error, I added myself as full control for Fences in the Properties/Security tab.  That didn't fix it at that time.  But I have not removed it yet. But I will now to see if it has any ill effects.

And BTW, I have 4 monitors, triple nvidia surround on top and one touchscreen below that.

Andy

 

Reg Key Files.

Reply #274 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Snacko, reply 273

Thanks for the reply Sean.  Yesterday, after about 3 hours I think I have fixed it.  I first backed this up, then I just deleted this registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Fences

I started Fences again, and it acted like a new installation of it.  (uninstalling the app and reinstalling didn't do that)  So it asked me if I wanted to have it automatically group icons, and I said yes, and it worked!!  My 231 icons were group in 3 Fences.  So, then I restored the .reg backup and told it to Restore my old (yesterday) snapshot, and it crashed and failed like before...

So, I deleted that reg key again and rebooted.  And went though the same thing again.  Only this time I didn't restore the reg key.  And I selected my Snapshot from yesterday.   And it didn't work.  I can't remember if it crashed, but it didn't group anything.  So when I later rebooted, it worked!!  It used my snapshot and displayed correctly.  And today when I booted up it's still working.  Time will tell...  But I think it's fixed.

I've attached my original Reg key, the new Reg Key after I 'fixed' it, and the way it is this morning (in case anything changed) for you to research if necessary..  I do remember changing that Fences/CrashReporting flag from 1 to 0 in the beginning, and later back to 1.  Not sure if that makes any diff.  

PS: Also, due to that Event Viewer Permissions error, I added myself as full control for Fences in the Properties/Security tab.  That didn't fix it at that time.  But I have not removed it yet. But I will now to see if it has any ill effects.

And BTW, I have 4 monitors, triple nvidia surround on top and one touchscreen below that.

Andy

Reg Key Files.

Please to hear it worked out for you and thanks for the extensive testing and reporting, Andy.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

 

Reply #275 from Stardock Forums Top

Ok, I got the error again today when I was in a Folder Portal.  When I have drilled down into a subfolder, and press Alt+Left Arrow (or click the up arrow on the titlebar) to to back to the parent folder, Wham!!  That does it.  I've tested this several times, and it only does it on one Folder Portal.  I have 3 Folder Portals on my desktop and they work fine.  The Folder Portal that does this is called 'Cities Skylines', where I keep some pics and notes.

So I deleted everything in that folder, and it still crashed.  I kept restoring the Reg Fences to a new install version/backup that I had and kept testing...  I created a new folder called 'Cities Skylines TEST', and copied the contents of the old one into there.  The new one didn't crash?!  So I deleted the original, and renamed the new one to just 'Cities Skylines'.  And it crashed!!???   So, I removed the 's' on the end of the folder name and now it doesn't crash.  I know this sounds crazy..  I compared the folder properties of the old and new and saw no difference.  The only thing that I can think of is that somewhere in Fences data is info related to a folder named 'Cities Skylines' that causes a crash.