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TZerod
TZerod
Join Date 07/2004
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Request: Stay on Top option for fences.

January 26, 2023 11:22:52 AM from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Would like the option to have fence windows, in particular when rolled down,  to stay on top of other windows.  A fence that expands behind all other windows doesn't seem all that useful.

 

Thanks

fences
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TZerod
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #1 January 26, 2023 6:54:06 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. There is an peek option for Fences 4. Use this setup

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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TZerod
schaefer2
Join Date 10/2010
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Reply #2 May 18, 2025 6:18:20 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Bringing up this old request again.

On my laptop all apps where running maximized, so no problem to click on "Show Fences" in the taskbar. Now with a big monitor most apps are running windowed. When hoovering with the mouse over the Fences on the top of the screen, they all go behind other windows. Not very usefull. The hotkeys are not really a solution, as the y are not faster then clicking on the taskbar.

As I have seen similar requests here in the forum, a solution would be highly appriciated.

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TZerod
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #3 May 18, 2025 6:26:07 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

As mentioned before, Fences is working on desktop level, hence there is no way to bring your desktop in-front of your Open Windows. That is why the peek function was introduce.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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TZerod
schaefer2
Join Date 10/2010
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Reply #4 May 18, 2025 8:10:42 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thx Basj, good to know that is a technical/OS limitation.

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TZerod
Carlos Decena
Join Date 08/2002
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Reply #5 June 20, 2025 7:17:01 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Can fences work at the taskbar level? My taskbar is hidden till I move the mouse to the bottom of the screen; can we have fences work the same way if docked to top or sides of the screen?

 

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TZerod
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #6 June 20, 2025 8:20:36 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Quoting Carlos Decena,
reply 5

Can fences work at the taskbar level? My taskbar is hidden till I move the mouse to the bottom of the screen; can we have fences work the same way if docked to top or sides of the screen?

 


Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, as mentioned, it only work on desktop level and I believe taskbar is at a higher level. Please use the peek function to make it appear in-front of your open windows.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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TZerod
Carlos Decena
Join Date 08/2002
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Reply #7 June 30, 2025 10:04:40 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thank you Basi,

However the questions is can it be made to run at the higher taskbar level?

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TZerod
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #8 June 30, 2025 10:33:42 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

No, I don't think so, if it can be done, I believe, its already be done and available in the option.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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TZerod
Carlos Decena
Join Date 08/2002
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Reply #9 July 22, 2025 6:12:34 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hello Basi,

Do you work for Stardock? If you don't please disregard the following, if you do take note.

It has been done before by by Stardock, therefore it can be done and by your team. 

I use object dock which is also a Stardock product and is much older than fences. Object Dock has an " Always on top" option. So the work was done to make it work properly. "I don't think so" is not an answer you should provide to paying customers. Considering it has been done before by you (Stardock) looks like you didn't put in the effort to answer the question. Please speak with you developers or programmers and ask them if they have a status on this feature and answer with some surety. I can only continue paying for your product or not there is no grey area. If your finances do not allow you to program in this feature that's fine but give me a definite answer.

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TZerod
basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #10 July 22, 2025 7:45:14 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

ObjectDock is not the same thing as Fences. Objectdock is not "Desktop" level application. And they are totally design and work differently. ObjectDock has its own advantage and disadvantages. 

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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TZerod
Carlos Decena
Join Date 08/2002
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Reply #11 July 24, 2025 9:56:06 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I don't understand what your answering? It's obvious that they are not the same product but from a user perspective a dock at the top of my screen with autohide looks to work similarly. You stated that the reason Fences can't work properly (or as it should from a user perspective) is because "Fences is working on desktop level, hence there is no way to bring your desktop in-front of your Open Windows." Above I am reading that "Objectdock is not "Desktop" level application.And they are totally design and work differently." Therefore, I Change my request to: Please design Fences the same way StarDock Designed Object Dock many years ago. Thank you

I've seen ObjectDock regress and loose functionality over the last 20 years that i've been a customer. I'm currently getting the impression the company is not willing to do things they did before to make their software work as expected. That's a company decision and its StarDock's stakeholders choice.    

If you choose to answer this request please give a high level technical (e.g. Windows 11 limitation, ) or business reasons (We are no longer developing our products due to cost...) as to why or why not it may or may not be done, refrain from obvious and denigrating statements like "ObjectDock is not the same thing as Fences." I am trying to decide if one, I can recommend Stardock products, two if its worth paying to access programs I already paid years ago, via through the quasi subscription service its turned into and lastly should I look for an alternative.

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TZerod
Jafo
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #12 July 24, 2025 10:29:56 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Quoting Carlos Decena,
reply 11

I don't understand what your answering? It's obvious that they are not the same product but from a user perspective a dock at the top of my screen with autohide looks to work similarly. You stated that the reason Fences can't work properly (or as it should from a user perspective) is because "Fences is working on desktop level, hence there is no way to bring your desktop in-front of your Open Windows." Above I am reading that "Objectdock is not "Desktop" level application.And they are totally design and work differently." Therefore, I Change my request to: Please design Fences the same way StarDock Designed Object Dock many years ago. Thank you

Microsoft Windows uses a function called 'Z-Order' to enable the display of multiple programs [windows] running on the smae screen at the same time.

To do that they designated as part of the core functionality that the Windows GUI [shell] would have the following levels displayed as the human interface to the OS 'Kernel'.

Level one - the wallpaper.

Level two - the desktop icons.

Level three - task bar/start.

Level four - non focused open window.

Level five - focused window.

Level six - mouse cursor.

That's the simple view.

Object dock is essentially a 'Window'... therefore it can typically run at Level 4 and 5 meaning it's quite easy and sensible to often be 'on top'.

Fences is designed to interface directly with where Microsoft wants the Icons - Level 2.

That means that typically you never see a desktop icon above a focused or non-focused window.  They were as intended...at almost bottom level just as Microsoft designed.

The concept of 'Peek' was introduced so even desktop icons could be raised to level five in the same way a focused window is on top.  But that means when focus is lost the icons [fences] return to where they are supposed to be - not interfering in the workspace.

Most GUI conflicts are caused by interferences with 'click through' focus.  Fences is intended to improve GUI interaction, not aggravate potential conflicts.

There becomes a point where a specific software can be morphed into something it was never intended to be.

Docking software such as Object Dock do NOT involve the desktop icons at all but are merely an adjunct/alternative option for launching software.

All Windows versions had/have desktop icons.  None really had a default 'Dock' as such.

Can Fences be made to lock at Level Five?  Quite probably.

Will Fences be made to do so?  Probably not.  

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TZerod
Carlos Decena
Join Date 08/2002
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Reply #13 July 24, 2025 3:54:47 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thank you. I appreciate the response.

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