very disappointed so far

from Stardock Forums

Windows Seven. Been a user of Window Blinds for many years and not  had problems; it has been a delightful enrichment to my desktop. Recently I put new hard drive on and swapped files around and had to put WB7 on again. That was fine except that I could not get  it to accept my  key. I  contacted Stardock and  did receive an automatic response but trying to understand what I was supposed to do with 682.txt for activation defeated me, so  finally I thought, time I upgraded, and bought WB10.

It is a disaster! I can see the theme(s) I want and have been using without problems in WB7, but in WB10 all I get is the colour, no textures, no change to the Windows start button, nothing but the basic colour of the theme. This cannot be right but I do not know how to correct it. Rebooting doesn't solve it. If I could sort the activation thing out I would go back to WB7 in a heartbeat. Not a happy bunny. If someone could point me to a solution I would be  so grateful.

windowblinds
40,722 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

First, Windows 10 handle a lot of things very differently if compare to Windows 7 with respect to GUI. You will need to install Start10 to change the start button and start menu to Windowblinds Style Start Menu.

Then there are some of those old themes that have not been updated for Windows 10. Mostly, those new upload should be compatible with windows 10. Try those, a lot of New Skin uploads every weeks, which you can try out.

Try those and let us know if you still need assistant.

Thank you,

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

(If I understand him correctly, he's running WB10 on Win7.)

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 2

(If I understand him correctly, he's running WB10 on Win7.)

If that is true, than I purge and reinstall is in order.Please try these steps https://forums.stardock.com/486023/windowblinds-support-faq#reinstalling

Make sure you reinstall with the latest version from your account. And reboot.

Please let us know if you still facing the same problem after that.

Also note that my Windows 7 run WB10 without any problem.

Thanks Dave.

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

yes that is correct DaveRI I am using WindowBlinds 10 on Windows Seven. I was using WindowBlinds Seven on Windows Seven and had no issues. The themes I was using then, two days ago, worked perfectly then, they are not working properly now..... will try the purge.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pawztoo, reply 4

yes that is correct DaveRI I am using WindowBlinds 10 on Windows Seven. I was using WindowBlinds Seven on Windows Seven and had no issues. The themes I was using then, two days ago, worked perfectly then, they are not working properly now.....

Please try the solution I suggested in reply #3

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

it has not made a difference. The only one  that worked before was Cideral, and that  works still, but the others that I tried did not :(

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

What theme did you tried that failed?

 

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Digital Tech ( which I was using before the change) and Monarch, which I have used before.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Did any of the theme that come along with WB10 works?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

I shall go through the purge - install again as I  reinstalled the copy I first downloaded a couple of hours back, forgot to go to the Stardock account. Not hopeful it will make a difference though.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

yes, Cideral, as I have  mentioned just a post or two earlier. I have to go down and do  food for husband now, will be back later. Thanks.

 

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

This is Cideral and Monarch on my Windows 7 with WB10 no problem at all :

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Please let us know and list down more detail what is your problem. If possible please show us a screenshot of your problem.

Thank you,

 

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

screenshot above is with Digital Tech running... not. I have run the batch file and purged and then reinstalled a fresh copy from account. Nothing else to say. If you could get my Window Blind 7 to accept my activation I would gladly return to that........

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

 

 

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

OK thanks.

Aero Wood, Recycled and Cideral work, none of the others.

 

It says on the 'about' screen that WB10 is correctly installed but that the Desktop Windows Manager is not enabled.. is that how it should be??

dwm.exe is in the system32 folder and in processes..and it is set to run automatically in Services and is running

ah, it doesn't say that now - but it is still not running any of the themes except the three above.

 

 

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

hello,

Digital Tech run fine and DWM also running on my system.

I think something is blocking WB10 from work properly.

Please try the following:

-For 7 Users: click Start, in the start search field type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator'.

-Type: sfc /scannow

-Wait for the scan to complete (this can take several minutes)

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

If the SFC finds errors, but cannot fix them, please also run the following command in the same command prompt window:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

The above command should assist with replacing any damaged or problematic system files. Please note, however, since it may require restoring certain files, this process can

take some time and you will need to be patient until it has completed.

Please let me know whether this resolves your problem or if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

 

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

 

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting pawztoo, reply 19

I think I  will have to put the system on again.

I wouldn't jump to that just yet, you may very well end up at the same place.  Give support a day or 2 to look at it.

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

If you still not solve your problem please try the cleanboot procedure to iron out if there are conflicting program : https://forums.stardock.com/486023/windowblinds-support-faq#cleanboot

Try that and report back.

Thank you,

 

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

 

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

This seems to be an issue with Microsoft Aero. One of the requirements to run Aero is to have your PC rated by Windows (Windows Experience Index). Follow the link below to get started:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-is-windows-experience-index#What-is-windows-experience-index=windows-7

If this does not correct the issue, please go through the steps at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976170 to run the Aero troubleshooter.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

I have reinstalled Windows - I like to do this every couple of years even though it is a right pain, so it is done and WindowBlinds 10 appears to be working, though I have not got all my security on yet - hopefully that will not be an issue. If I get further issues I shall try to go back to WindowBlinds Seven which served me faithfully for many years. If I still cannot get that to activate I shall come back to Stardock. Thank you for your help.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pawztoo, reply 23

I have reinstalled Windows - I like to do this every couple of years even though it is a right pain, so it is done and WindowBlinds 10 appears to be working

If only we could tell everyone to 'just format the box please'  :inlove:  

Quoting pawztoo, reply 23

though I have not got all my security on yet - hopefully that will not be an issue.

As long as that is not ESet - an AV app known to cause issues with WB.

Glad it has worked out for you, however.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

not Eset - but thanks for the tip :) Webroots and Malwarebytes.

I had forgotten just how frustrating a reinstall is, but I think I am nearly where I was before and only slightly bruised :)

thankyou for all the help.