Font Option

I just installed the 30-day trial version. 

First impressions:  some of the skins are excellent, and I would love to support WindowBlinds by paying for it.

However, as much as I would love to pay for the product, I refuse to do so until Stardock adds a VERY SIMPLE feature.

Please add a checkbox that would prevent any skin from messing with Windows fonts. 

I have everything set up EXACTLY the way I want.  I want the visual aspects of the skin, but I don't need the skin to mess up my font settings.

If you can do that, you've got a new customer.

11,145 views 25 replies
Reply #1 Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Have you tried this setting?

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 Top

Yes, I saw that option, and of course it was the first thing I tried.

However, it doesn't do anything. 

Or maybe it does prevent certain fonts from changing, but definitely doesn't prevent everything.

For example, if I click that checkbox, my File Explorer font is still changed, and so is my Start Menu font (using Open-Shell).

Reply #3 Top

Need more information on your system.

  1. Windows 10 or 11? Also need its full version and OS Build number. Please use Winver.exe.
  2. Windowblinds full version number.
  3. Please list down some skins that you having issue with so I can test it. Prefer to have those skins that currently available in Wincustomize.com

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 Top

1) Windows 11 22H2 (latest updates installed, build 22621.4317).

2) Latest version of WindowBlinds (11.02 017 x64 - Windows 11 Edition)

3) Every skin which incorporates font changes.  That's the point I'm trying to make -- if the author of the skin wants to make font changes, that's fine, but I should have the option of overriding it.  Right now the skin I've been using ever since installing WindowBlinds two days ago is called Grey Matters, which I downloaded from inside WindowBlinds.  I've also tried about 10 or 15 other skins, and almost all of them make font changes.

Reply #5 Top

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

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 Top

Quoting ndsolutions, reply 4

1) Windows 11 22H2 (latest updates installed, build 22621.4317).

The latest build of W11 is 24H2 (10.0.26100). It would seem you haven't updated to 23H2, nevermind 24H2.

Reply #7 Top

Okay, but are you telling me that this particular feature will WORK on 23H2 and 24H2, but somehow, by some black magic, it will not work on 22H2...?

Reply #8 Top

Quoting ndsolutions, reply 7

Okay, but are you telling me that this particular feature will WORK on 23H2 and 24H2, but somehow, by some black magic, it will not work on 22H2...?

I'm suggesting you should update your machine for several reasons. Among them is your problem might be related to your Windows version. I am not making you any promise regarding that, however.

I am relating to the fact that Microsoft ended support for 22H2 on Oct. 8, 2024. Therefore, your version of Windows is vulnerable.

Reply #9 Top

For people like me, who go considerably out of their way to customize their operating system to look and feel exactly how they want, it's not as simple as "oh you should just upgrade".  With each iteration, Microsoft makes things worse, and continues to take away more and more options and features which were there and working perfectly in previous versions.

Besides, I'm still getting daily security updates, so the last thing on my mind is to update to 24H2, which is a known dumpster fire, especially in the modding community.

Reply #10 Top

Quoting ndsolutions, reply 9

Besides, I'm still getting daily security updates, so the last thing on my mind is to update to 24H2, which is a known dumpster fire, especially in the modding community.

Update or not, that's up to you. However, MS stopped supporting 22H2 on Oct. 8, 2024. I'd suggest that if your OS is exploited, the least of your worries will be the font on your setup. At least update to 23H2. I updated to 24H2 yesterday...no problems at all, but ymmv.

Reply #11 Top

As I said, I'm still getting security updates from Microsoft on a daily basis.  I just installed the latest one two minutes ago, so I'm not worried.

The only thing they stopped with 22H2 are the "feature updates", which is perfectly fine with me.  I don't need any more of Microsoft's "features".

Also, do a search for "Intel 265K/285K Windows 11 24H2", and you'll see why I have less than zero desire to upgrade.

Reply #12 Top

If, as you say, you're getting security updates all the time, I think you might be mistaken as to your OS version number (unless you're on the enterprise or education versions):

"Haven't updated your Windows 11 PC in a while? Then you could find yourself on the outs with Microsoft. Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 are no longer supported by the folks in Redmond. This means that anyone still running these versions won't receive future bug fixes, security patches, or other updates. And that could place your computer at a greater risk for malware, security flaws, and other threats." - zdnet

Try running winver and check your version number. Only the Enterprise and Education editions are spared; they're still able to receive updates to Windows 11 22H2 until October 14 of 2025.

 

 

 

Reply #13 Top


Please add a checkbox that would prevent any skin from messing with Windows fonts. 

As Basj shown,that's option Windowblinds offered right now. Unfortunately,each skinner has each own ideal font effect and size on skin,you either chose those options Basj shown,or manually edit each skin file of font style and size via test editor or Skinstudio. Looks very laborious,but once you got the grooves,it actually very easy to alter of your needs on a fly.

Reply #14 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 12

If, as you say, you're getting security updates all the time, I think you might be mistaken as to your OS version number (unless you're on the enterprise or education versions):Try running winver and check your version number. Only the Enterprise and Education editions are spared; they're still able to receive updates to Windows 11 22H2 until October 14 of 2025.

I'm not mistaken. 
The version is exactly as I said.  It's Windows 11 for Workstations (not Enterprise), and it's 22H2 build 22621.4317.

I've custom-built more computers in the last 30 years than most people will in multiple lifetimes.  Believe me when I tell you that I know exactly what I'm running both in terms of software and hardware.

 

Reply #15 Top

Quoting Gaspershooters, reply 13

As Basj shown,that's option Windowblinds offered right now.

And as I've already said, this option doesn't do anything to prevent fonts changing on my system.  So either the implementation is broken, or its intended purpose is different from what I'm requesting.

Quoting Gaspershooters, reply 13

you either chose those options Basj shown,or manually edit each skin file of font style and size via test editor or Skinstudio. Looks very laborious,but once you got the grooves,it actually very easy to alter of your needs on a fly.

That's simply not realistic.

Every time I choose a different skin as I'm browsing through them, they each make font changes to my system.  What do you propose I do?  Go and manually edit about 20 different font options every time I want to try a new skin?  Thanks, but no thanks.

How hard would it be for Stardock to simply PREVENT the program from modifying fonts?  Not hard at all.

As I said, I have nothing against the skin designers or those users who enjoy playing whack-a-mole with their system fonts.  But it would be nice to have the option of having skins that make changes ONLY to the visual aspects of Windows while leaving my fonts alone.  I don't think that's asking too much.

Reply #16 Top

Source: Microsoft

+1 Loading…
Reply #17 Top

Fonts are part of the skin designs, and a lot of blinds would not look like the creators intended them to and some would not look good at all. I wouldn't have my hopes up that Stardock will add the option to not change the fonts in Windowblinds, so the options you have are those mentioned above.

Reply #18 Top

Quoting Jan, reply 16

Source: Microsoft


Exactly what ZDnet quoted, as well. Thanks, JanOscar.

Reply #19 Top

Quoting ndsolutions, reply 15

That's simply not realistic. Every time I choose a different skin as I'm browsing through them, they each make font changes to my system.  What do you propose I do?  Go and manually edit about 20 different font options every time I want to try a new skin?  Thanks, but no thanks.

How hard would it be for Stardock to simply PREVENT the program from modifying fonts?  Not hard at all.

As I said, I have nothing against the skin designers or those users who enjoy playing whack-a-mole with their system fonts.  But it would be nice to have the option of having skins that make changes ONLY to the visual aspects of Windows while leaving my fonts alone.  I don't think that's asking too much.


Well,I did manually edit the skin file with any possible way. This is not hard,just search and replace,how hard would the task be?? >_>  Besides,for me not all of font size needs to adjust,just those too small for me. But you seems to be very persnickety requesting developer adding the feature on WB,but do thing on your own. :|  

 

Reply #21 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 18

Exactly what ZDnet quoted, as well. Thanks, JanOscar.


Not sure why you guys seem so incredibly determined to prove me wrong - as though I don't know what my own machine is doing right in front of my eyes.  Do you think I'm lying?  Do you think I'm not really seeing what I'm seeing?  That it's all in my head?  I'm just imagining the updates coming in, but in reality they're not?

Here's a screenshot I captured just 30 seconds ago, right as I was installing yet another update.

 

Oh and in case you're wondering, have a look at the KB number as well as the version number from the screenshot.  Then feel free to cross reference that information directly from Microsoft:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/defenderupdates

Maybe pay particular attention to the part that says:

The latest security intelligence update is:

 

  • Version: 1.421.671.0
  • Engine Version: 1.1.24090.11
  • Platform Version: 4.18.24090.11
  • Released: 12/7/2024 4:49:54 PM

 

Notice how it shows the exact same version number that I just showed you in my screenshot?  Notice how it shows today's date?

And then after you've verified everything on Microsoft's site, maybe you can show me a few more articles about how Microsoft is no longer providing the updates that I'm clearly receiving.

 

Reply #22 Top

These are just Defender updates, not OS security patches, but it’s your prerogative to continue using an outdated OS. Hopefully you have a robust antivirus software. 

Reply #23 Top

Quoting Gaspershooters, reply 19
But you seems to be very persnickety requesting developer adding the feature on WB,but do thing on your own. :|  

You're absolutely right - how silly of me to expect the developer of the software to ensure that a feature is working as it should - especially when the developer already claims that the feature is present.

But you're right, it's not the developer's problem.  It's the user's problem.  Rather than having the user click a checkbox and have everything work as expected, the user should instead be required to go and manually edit font settings on every single skin.  Yes, that's much more logical - thank you for pointing that out that my original request was completely absurd.

Reply #24 Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 22

These are just Defender updates, not OS security patches, but it’s your prerogative to continue using an outdated OS. Hopefully you have a robust antivirus software. 

That's the only update I received today, so that's what my screenshot is showing.

Three or four days ago I received multiple updates on top of the defender definitions.  I obviously don't have screenshots of that because I wasn't expecting that I'll be sitting here having to prove something that's been happening on my computer in a StarDock forum.

If you're so determined to disbelieve me, that's entirely up to you.  I think it's ridiculous that this thread has gone from me asking the developer to fix something, into me having to convince people that I'm not imagining the updates I'm getting.

But here's a novel idea:  if you're so convinced that I'm wrong, go ahead and install a copy of Windows 11 22H2, and see for yourself.

Reply #25 Top

Quoting basj, reply 5

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

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Since you're problem/request has been forwarded to Stardock Support team for further consideration, please make note of this thread's URL and check back to see the response.