Connection Explorer 0.73 Feedback

from Stardock Forums

With the Connection Explorer 0.73 beta release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining Object Desktop Insider Builds

Object Desktop Manager

Object Desktop members can get beta and Insider builds from within Object Desktop Manager with 'Enable Object Desktop Insider builds' enabled:

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Stardock Download Page

Or via their download page in the ‘Object Desktop Insider’ section

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Obtaining Beta Releases

Stardock.com

If a beta was released, Object Desktop Members would see it in the ‘Object Desktop’ section.

Individual purchases would see it on their registration of the product under their download page.

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Steam

  • Right-click the Product in Steam

  • Properties

  • Betas

  • Select the beta branch at the top right (there is no password)

Example

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/steamwebhelper_2024-02-19_17-44-35.png

Reporting an issue

Please include the following for anything found:

  • Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)

  • Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen

  • Screenshots and videos are very helpful.  Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post.  Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.

  • If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Connection Explorer a better product.

connection explorer
7,780 views 33 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Connection Explorer 0.7.3.1 Changelog (Released 11/12/2025)

11/12/2025

Version

0.7.3.1

Platforms

  • Stardock

Changes

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Known issues

While we appreciate all feedback, please remember that we offer no official support for beta \ preview \ developer channel versions of Windows. If you report issues while in any of those early release channels, you should not expect them to be addressed unless it still exists in a retail version of Windows.

  • Dark \ Light mode does not last past closing \ opening the UI.  We are aware of it and it will be addressed in the next update.
Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Got this error on installing Connection Explorer:

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting KeithCollyer, reply 4

Got this error on installing Connection Explorer:


This reads like a permissions issue or AV software stopping the process.

If you open a Windows Sandbox, are you able to install on it?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Feedback requests:

  • On the Home screen, keep the map zoomed-in after Shift-Zoom.
  • It'd be neat to see a geographical traceroute feature, similar to what VisualRoute did back in the day. 
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Let me say first that this is great security software and should be part of the oversight on one's computer's vulnerabilities. I absolutely love it, and have posted about it.

Perhaps I'm not doing something correctly, but each time I open the app, it defaults to the light theme. I'd rather it stay dark unless I choose otherwise. Is there a way to do that?

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Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 5
This reads like a permissions issue or AV software stopping the process.

If you open a Windows Sandbox, are you able to install on it?

I'll try that when I get a chance. I doubt it's permission or AV, though, as this doesn't impact any other Stardock software, and I assume they use the same install process. I'll try disabling AV and checking permissions first, as I need to enable virtualisation in my BIOS to use Sandbox.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I just tried to install with OD running as Administrator and got the same error. However, this time I clicked "Ignore" rather than "Abort" or "Retry" when I got the error, and the install seems to have worked. Everything I have tried so far has been OK

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

The first two points are mentioned by other people above, but I also encountered these problems, plus my own third suggestion: 

  • Dark mode only lasts for current session - it defaults to Light mode when the main application is restarted.
  • Home Screen map: Shift+mousewheel should stay zoomed in when you release Shift key.
  • Home Screen map: When zooming in on map, it would be useful to keep the dots the same size on the screen. Currently, when you zoom in, the dots also increase in size, so if there's a cluster, they still overlap. Whereas if you zoomed in on a country/region then a cluster of dots should gradually move apart as the scale changes, making it easier to select individual ones. 

Windows 11 Pro (24H2 build 26100.7171)

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Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

I am having issues with Stardock Connection Explorer on my 4K monitor. The scaling does not look right and I cannot see the scroll bar properly. I have tried using the Windows compatibility settings to change the DPI scaling, but it does not fix the problem.

I am also using the dark theme, but when I minimise Connection Explorer and open it again, I have to select dark theme every time.

 

I have one suggestion as well. When I press Shift and use the scroll wheel to zoom in on the map, it would be helpful if the map stayed at that zoom level. At the moment, as soon as I let go of Shift, it zooms back out again.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting johnww, reply 11

I am having issues with Stardock Connection Explorer on my 4K monitor. The scaling does not look right and I cannot see the scroll bar properly. I have tried using the Windows compatibility settings to change the DPI scaling, but it does not fix the problem.

I am also using the dark theme, but when I minimise Connection Explorer and open it again, I have to select dark theme every time.

 

I have one suggestion as well. When I press Shift and use the scroll wheel to zoom in on the map, it would be helpful if the map stayed at that zoom level. At the moment, as soon as I let go of Shift, it zooms back out again.



Can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing? I think I know what you are referring too but there are multiple areas with potential scroll bars depending on scale/res.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting johnww, reply 11

I am also using the dark theme, but when I minimise Connection Explorer and open it again, I have to select dark theme every time.

Please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/539183/get;3981155

Quoting johnww, reply 11

I am having issues with Stardock Connection Explorer on my 4K monitor. The scaling does not look right and I cannot see the scroll bar properly. I have tried using the Windows compatibility settings to change the DPI scaling, but it does not fix the problem.

Can you post a screenshot of CE, how it looks and your display settings?

Quoting johnww, reply 11

I have one suggestion as well. When I press Shift and use the scroll wheel to zoom in on the map, it would be helpful if the map stayed at that zoom level. At the moment, as soon as I let go of Shift, it zooms back out again.

A common request thus far here and it will be looked into

Ty for the feedback. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Resolved the issue with dark mode not sticking and also resolved the issue with multiple instance of the app opening if one is already running...will be included in the next beta release.

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi all,

trying to select the "Connections" tool from the left-hand menu, I get en error message:

Connection Explorer - Connections

Maybe a Windows regional settings vs. database settings conflict? 

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting software7, reply 15

Hi all,

trying to select the "Connections" tool from the left-hand menu, I get en error message:

Connection Explorer - Connections

Maybe a Windows regional settings vs. database settings conflict? 

 

That does seem like it might be the case, can you let me know your region settings..I see its YYYY-MM-DD but not sure if there is anything else with language and time.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Having a bit of trouble installing the beta on a Windows 11 Pro machine.

The installer starts up briefly, but after about 30 seconds, we get the dialog  box that says the requirements haven't been met.   

I have Object Deskttop on a Windows 11 Pro machine (Dell Inspiron desktop PC)

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting cajundweeb, reply 17

Having a bit of trouble installing the beta on a Windows 11 Pro machine.

The installer starts up briefly, but after about 30 seconds, we get the dialog  box that says the requirements haven't been met.   

I have Object Deskttop on a Windows 11 Pro machine (Dell Inspiron desktop PC)

 

Does it appear that the installer is failing or that the app is failing? It sounds like from your post that it is the installer having an issue?

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

I use a Logitech trackball that does not have a scroll wheel. We need an alternate way to zoom the map.

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Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting fauxwindsock, reply 20

I use a Logitech trackball that does not have a scroll wheel. We need an alternate way to zoom the map.

 

If you hold shift, does it not zoom? Assuming that answer is no but wanted to make sure.

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting fauxwindsock, reply 22

Tried shift up/dn arrow, the numdad arrows and also the spacebar. A simple + - box is needed.

Will see what i can come up with, trying not to overload the UI with controls but should be able to figure something out