Recommended Posts

Please note... anyone can add any suggestions to them as well here....

I have been a fan of Stardock since 2000. I have really liked thier products and company.....

PLEASE NOTE!!! I AM NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THE LAWSUIT IN HERE DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BRING THAT UP!

I am aware that they own 40% of this site... I am not afraid, however to call them out on a few things...

First of all I am in love with Fences. It has kept my desktop neat since 2010. It's been an amazing piece of software to tons of people.

I just found out today that it isn't free anymore. That kinda makes me mad. I know that you work hard on your software and all that.... but you had it free all this time and you seem to be doing fine financially....

so why did you do it? I hope that there is a good reason.

I know that you now have the "Portal" feature where you can turn a fence into a file manager window, however was that really necessary? Could you have stuck that in the pro version? That seems like more of a pro feature to me.

I guess everyone's gonna stick with the old version as long as they can.....

I also hear of the start8 thing as well.... again, the same.....

why why why?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1111263-suggestions-for-stardock/
Share on other sites

i don't understand why either

the Free version gave you the basic features that made it a nice app, while the Pro version also gave you a bunch of nice bonus features

it was a great system they had going on, why change it

and why change Start8 to pay-for when you had already promised to keep it free, that's just bad business practice

  • Like 2

I'm honestly not trying to flame-bait here, but I honestly had no idea Stardock were still in existence. I thought they closed their doors after WindowBlinds for XP. My suggestion would be to invest in some marketing as I can't imagine I'm the only person who think they've disappeared into the abyss.

That's fine.... Many don't think they exist anymore... and thanks to people like you coming out and saying this... might help further thier need to improve and realize that if this is how people hear of stardock again... making a bad decision.... that ...will hurt them even further.

This is not just about 10 bucks... I have no problem at all paying for it....

It's about changing your mind and flip flopping on things... like the start 8 thing.... not about money.... it's about emotions... You can't expect people to accept being jerked around like this....

I'm sure that there may be alternatives popping up soon and rivaling your features now....

That's fine.... Many don't think they exist anymore... and thanks to people like you coming out and saying this... might help further thier need to improve and realize that if this is how people hear of stardock again... making a bad decision.... that ...will hurt them even further.

This is not just about 10 bucks... I have no problem at all paying for it....

It's about changing your mind and flip flopping on things... like the start 8 thing.... not about money.... it's about emotions... You can't expect people to accept being jerked around like this....

I'm sure that there may be alternatives popping up soon and rivaling your features now....

Fences is neat... but I've found far more useful this app:

http://xwidgetsoft.deviantart.com/art/XLaunchpad1-08-Mac-Launchpad-for-Win-2012-7-31-287497352

Its a shame there is no free version any more, same with Start 8. However I can understand why this has been done.

I have used ObjectDock 1.90 since 2007 and it does everything i want. I have never felt the need to upgrade to the paid version. I can see that happening with Start 8 / Fences too, people are not going to pay if a free version exists that does everything the user wants.

At the end of the day nothing stops you from keeping the older free version, however if people want updates and new features i guess that person need to decide if its worth paying for a more updated version.

Fences is neat... but I've found far more useful this app:

http://xwidgetsoft.d...-7-31-287497352

I don't like desktop icons, however that does look pretty awesome! :)

Well, they are giving away Fallen Enchantress to a lot of people who bought Elemental before a certain date, so there is that. But I imagine the number of converts from Free to Pro was just not high enough to make the old system worthwhile.

You might get a direct answer though, since they're obviously around here.

I couldn't honestly say having never looked at Stardocks books, as someone else mentioned you dont really hear about Stardock a lot, so who knows?

I agree i would like the apps to remain free, however at the end of the day i can understand why this is not the case.

I couldn't honestly say having never looked at Stardocks books, as someone else mentioned you dont really hear about Stardock a lot, so who knows?

I agree i would like the apps to remain free, however at the end of the day i can understand why this is not the case.

they have books?

Stardock makes enough with Windowblinds and thier games don't they? or have sales went down so they have to find new ways to keep profits up?

Good business practice, sell one app and spend thousands of man hours on other and give them away. I'm guessing you don't run a business ?

My guess why they decided to charge for fences is that noone bought the pro version, and thus that project ended up going very red in the budget. So something had to be done.

As for start 8. Personally I don't use it as I find it completely necessary replicating functions in win8 that already work better. But they actually did promise to keep it free. I suspect something of the same happened. The app got a lot more expensive tomake and maintain than they first expected, and economically, they had to charge for it.

Well the portal thing prolly would have gotten people to buy the pro version alone.... so they should have just added that to the pro version...

Thing is they got rid of thier gateway drug... the thing that gets people hooked on them...

I was very close to buying start 8 BTW.... but after they did this.... that kinda makes me put that off till I find out more about the reasoning behind this....

well stardock is in detroit area.... must be preparing for something... so they need some more money to help cope or bail out.. LOL.... that has to be the reason... LOL...

they need money for the zombie invasion... to get supplies..

mabye that's the best way to think about it.....

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Glad I uninstalled this incredibly buggy browser. Looking at that changelog, they clearly don't test their updates at all.
    • UniGetUI 2026.2.2 by Razvan Serea UniGetUI is an application whose main goal is to create an intuitive GUI for the most common CLI package managers for Windows 10 and Windows 11, such as Winget, Scoop and Chocolatey. With UniGetUI, you'll be able to download, install, update and uninstall any software that's published on the supported package managers — and so much more. UniGetUI features Install, update and remove software from your system easily at one click: UniGetUI combines the packages from the most used package managers for windows: WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop, Pip, Npm and .NET Tool. Discover new packages and filter them to easily find the package you want. View detailed metadata about any package before installing it. Get the direct download URL or the name of the publisher, as well as the size of the download. Easily bulk-install, update or uninstall multiple packages at once selecting multiple packages before performing an operation Automatically update packages, or be notified when updates become available. Skip versions or completely ignore updates in a per-package basis. Manage your available updates at the touch of a button from the Widgets pane or from Dev Home pane with UniGetUI Widgets. The system tray icon will also show the available updates and installed package, to efficiently update a program or remove a package from your system. Easily customize how and where packages are installed. Select different installation options and switches for each package. Install an older version or force to install a 32bit architecture. [But don't worry, those options will be saved for future updates for this package] Share packages with your friends to show them off that program you found. Here is an example: Hey @friend, Check out this program! Export custom lists of packages to then import them to another machine and install those packages with previously-specified, custom installation parameters. Setting up machines or configuring a specific software setup has never been easier. Backup your packages to a local file to easily recover your setup in a matter of seconds when migrating to a new machine Devolutions UniGetUI 2026.2.2 changelog: This release marks the completion of UniGetUI's migration from WinUI to Avalonia. With the remaining WinUI components and dependencies now removed, UniGetUI is fully powered by Avalonia. This update also brings Windows 11 Snap Layouts support, refined styling throughout the application, improved log viewing, new illustrations, and significantly smaller release packages. Highlights Further refined the Avalonia user interface to better match WinUI styling and behavior across package lists, navigation elements, dialogs, and controls. Added support for Windows 11 Snap Layouts when hovering the maximize button, matching the behavior of native Windows applications. Added illustrations for empty and loading package list states, improving visual feedback throughout the application. Improved the operation log window so automatic scrolling no longer interrupts users when reviewing previous log entries. Reduced installer and application package sizes, resulting in smaller downloads and a significantly leaner Windows distribution. User Interface Improvements Improved package list styling, column headers, backgrounds, hover states, and selection indicators for a more polished and consistent experience. Refined sidebar navigation and segmented controls to better align with modern Windows design patterns. Improved package tag badges and icon presentation throughout the application. Updated several labels, placeholders, and interface elements for improved clarity and consistency. Removed the remaining WinUI-specific styling dependencies, further consolidating the application around Avalonia. Windows Improvements Added native Windows 11 Snap Layouts integration for the maximize button. Improved maximize button hover and pressed visual states to more closely match native Windows behavior. Performance & Reliability Reduced the size of Windows release packages by removing unnecessary runtime dependencies and optimizing published builds. Reduced installer size through improved compression settings. Simplified application dependencies and reduced overall maintenance complexity. Fixes Fixed log output auto-scrolling behavior when manually reviewing previous entries. Resolved various UI inconsistencies and styling issues across the Avalonia interface. Addressed several minor issues and edge cases throughout the application. Other Changes Dependency cleanup and project maintenance. Internal code refactoring and infrastructure improvements. Additional test coverage and build pipeline optimizations. Download: UniGetUI 64-bit | Portable | ~90.0 MB (Open Source) Download: UniGetUI ARM64 | Portable Links: UniGetUI Home Page | GitHub | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • The best controller for XBOX and PC is down to the lowest price by Taras Buria Image via Neowin The GameSir G7 Pro is a fantastic controller for XBOX and PC. Officially certified, it works with Microsoft's consoles, mobile devices, and PCs, giving you a universal controller for any kind of gaming machine. And right now, you can save 20% on it, thanks to the latest deal during Prime Day 2026 (purchase link below). The G7 Pro has the classic XBOX layout, complemented by a couple of extra elements, such as the M button for changing various settings and four additional remappable buttons. It also has trigger locks and TMR sticks that eliminate drifting issues, giving you a reliable, long-lasting gamepad. The controller is powered by a built-in battery, which charges via a USB Type-C cable or the bundled dock station. The G7 Pro supports wireless (XBOX Wireless, proprietary dongle, or Bluetooth) and wired connectivity. In addition to software customization (you can remap multiple buttons to different actions), it lets you personalize the look by swapping the faceplate or grips, enabling multiple design combinations. Other features include a 1,000Hz polling rate, an audio jack for your headphones, Hall Effect triggers, and a swappable D-pad (two extra are included). The controller is also available in four color variants, and all of them are now discounted. Thanks to quality materials, reliable components, rich customization, universal compatibility, and an affordable price tag, the G7 Pro received very high praise in our review. It is certainly among the best controllers you can buy. GameSir G7 Pro - $63.99 | 20% off with Prime Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Microsoft further improving Windows 11 Taskbar with latest builds by Sayan Sen Microsoft has released new Windows 11 builds for users flighting the Experimental channels. The new builds are 26300.8758 for Windows 11 26H2, 28120.2374 for 26H1, and 29617.1000 for future platforms. There are improvements related to the Taskbar, File Explorer and more with the new update. The full changelogs are given below: First we have the build 26300.8758: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out [Taskbar] Taskbar customization just got easier. As we continue to make improvements to the Taskbar experience mentioned last month, we've introduced a dedicated Taskbar Size setting, making it simpler to find, understand, and personalize your ideal taskbar experience. UI showing the new Taskbar Size setting in Settings. We've also made refinements to the transitions between taskbar sizes for a smoother overall experience. [File Explorer] We've improved the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance. Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrative mode. Fixed an issue where the confirmation dialog might display an internal Recycle Bin file name instead of the original file name when permanently deleting a file. [Sounds] Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode. Up next we have build 28120.2374: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes [Mobile Device Settings] You can add and manage your mobile devices in Settings under Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile Devices. On this page, you can manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device's files in File Explorer. [Remote Recovery Management] Added a recovery remote management plug-in to extend WinRE management capabilities for MDM providers. [Input] The emoji panel (Windows key + period (.)) now uses GIPHY as the GIF provider, delivering a smoother GIF browsing and sharing experience following the deprecation of the Tenor API. Finally we have the changelog for Windows 11 build 29617.1000: Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out [Windows Update] As announced in the Windows Update announce blog, we are now bringing a new unified update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see per month. We are starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing the update experience to a single monthly restart. See the blog for more information. [Windows Magnifier] Magnifier now gives you more control over how you zoom. You can type an exact zoom percentage directly in the magnifier toolbar to land on precisely the level you need. We've also added preset step increments (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, and 400%) to the Settings dropdown, so you can jump to common levels in a single click. Whether you need a subtle boost or a dramatic close-up, Magnifier adapts to how you want to zoom. Enter an exact percentage or jump to preset steps —5% up to 400%. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Magnifier. [Accessibility] We're introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color overlay across your entire display, softening its intensity so it's easier on your eyes throughout the day. If bright, saturated screens leave you with tired or sensitive eyes by the end of a long session, screen tint can help. Screenshot showing UI for screen tint in Accessibility, with color presets and a strength slider. To get started, open Settings > Accessibility (or press WIN + U) and look for screen tint under the Vision section. From there, you can: Pick from six preset colors or choose a custom color of your own. Adjust the tint strength slider from a subtle wash to full intensity. Night light warms your display to reduce blue light that can interfere with sleep. Screen tint reduces overall screen intensity to ease eye fatigue and light sensitivity during the day. They tackle different problems and you can use both at the same time, one working on warmth and the other on intensity. Note that turning on screen tint will disable color filters, and vice versa. If you currently rely on color filters, you might need to keep screen tint turned off. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator. [Voice Access] Voice Access now supports Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), and Korean (South Korea). [Audio] Continuing our work on improving Sound Settings, we've made a few more updates in this build: We've adjusted the description text for the Allow option in properties for audio devices to include the current state of the device, to improve the clarity of the text and the purpose of the button actions. "Listen to this device" is now available in properties for audio devices, so you don't need to enter Control Panel for this functionality. [Multiple Desktops] Improved explorer reliability when switching between multiple desktops. [Storage] We've updated the dialog when creating a Dev Drive to now support specifying the size in GB instead of only MB. This has also been added when changing the size of volumes under Settings > System > Storage. [Personalization] This update improves color selection accuracy when adjusting your accent color to match your wallpaper when automatic accent color selection is enabled in Personalization settings. This update improves wallpaper persistence reliability across restarts and upgrades, including better support for large-resolution wallpapers and other scenarios to prevent solid color wallpaper fallback. [Display and Graphics] Improves the reliability and persistence of applying color profiles. You can view the official blog posts here (link1, link2, link3) on Microsoft's site.
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      bernmeister earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      tuben earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      OffsetAbs earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      OffsetAbs earned a badge
      Reacting Well
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      441
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      196
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      154
    4. 4
      FloatingFatMan
      71
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      67
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!