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WindowBlinds 11 planning

WindowBlinds 11 planning

We are putting together the schedule to make WindowBlinds 11.  

Customization is a lot harder now than it used to be.  Microsoft, for reasons unknown, has actively encouraged developers to take care of their own client and even non client (border, frame) painting rather than using standard Windows controls.  

Microsoft's baffling decision to throw away trying to provide a standard set of in-app controls for developers and instead provide vague, often conflicting standards (cough, Fluent) has resulted in having less and less of the OS we can even touch.

Which is unfortunate because WindowBlinds, in theory, could actually give Windows users a consistent, OS-wide Fluent if apps weren't handling the drawing of their own UIs these days.

Still, with that in mind, there are things we can do such as skin the standard OS controls and then handle apps on a case-by-case basis.  Keep in mind though, the more non-standard apps we have to handle, the harder it is for us to keep compatibility.

Earlier this year we released Curtains which doesn't even hook into the OS.  This means it is 100% compatible. Skins, even the weirdest ones, won't break a given app.  Of course, the price is that it doesn't skin nearly as much (no client area GUI controls like scrollbars, push buttons, radio buttons, etc.).  It's done quite well.  However, we know there are still plenty of people out there who would like to have more full control over how their Windows desktop looks.

That's where this thread comes in: What would you like to see in WindowBlinds 11?  

2,440,205 views 670 replies
Reply #51 Top

Quoting JanOscar, reply 50

There actually was an option in SkinStudio many years ago that allowed importing msstyles. Never worked 100%
-I know, More like 23% (Maybe)  ;)

Reply #52 Top

An option to NOT break darkmode in dark skins.

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Reply #53 Top

Hope the ability to mix themes; i mean the possibility to use a skin for all (windows,menu,etc) but choose another taskbar skin for example.

I've tried with Start10 but not the same as I want.

 

Chooo

Reply #54 Top

Quoting NinjaGundam, reply 53

Hope the ability to mix themes; i mean the possibility to use a skin for all (windows,menu,etc) but choose another taskbar skin for example.

There is this:

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Reply #55 Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 54


Quoting NinjaGundam,

Hope the ability to mix themes; i mean the possibility to use a skin for all (windows,menu,etc) but choose another taskbar skin for example.



There is this:


 

Sorry I didn't specificated, would be nice a Style -> Substyle menù there too.

 

Chooo

Reply #56 Top

Quoting NinjaGundam, reply 55

Sorry I didn't specificated, would be nice a Style -> Substyle menù there too.
o_O  

Reply #57 Top

Maybe Stardock will add support or convertor Curtains to WindowsBlinds ?

Reply #58 Top

I do not believe that's possible Robert.

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Reply #59 Top

The one thing I have wanted for years is to place the Windowblinds folder on a different drive to C:  Back when 60gb or 120gb SSDs were still quite expensive, it would have been great to have been able to select D: or even E: drives to store WB skins when space was very much limited after the OS and essential programmes were installed. 

Sadly, it didn't happen, and while prices of SSDs have fallen quite significantly in recent years, and sizes increased to various Terabyte options, the ability to place the WB directory on a different drive would be fantastic.  I am currently using a 256gb SSD for my OS and programs, and there is some space left over, but I'd rather use that space for the items most used/accessed from my document and other personal folders.

Reply #60 Top

 

Small concept from me, nothing much, just a way to download styles in app like curtains.

Reply #61 Top

This is a tentative list but this is what we have in mind:

  • Support for Curtains styles
  • Integrated WinCustomize library support
  • High DPI new skins
  • Better support for common apps (Edge, Chrome, etc.)
  • User requested options

In the coming weeks we'll be reaching out to some of the Master skinners to see about being contracted to bring classic Stardock Design skins and OS skins up to high DPI modern levels.

Reply #62 Top

I'm thinking.. perhaps...some kind of cash back feature...when loading a skin would be great.. :w00t:

and of course what we've all always wanted... Scratch and sniff :P  

 

No.. not perhaps.. definitely. :congrat:  

Reply #63 Top

Hopefully better taskbar skinning, including jumplists skinning, system tray skinning, and better options for Aero Glass

Reply #64 Top

I whaaass keeeeding... I whaaass....onleee keeding! :D   - Tony Montana :thumbsup:  

Main thing id like to see is better functionality of almost all of my core apps, namely Firefox, Adobe Suite, (but more specifically PS, IL, and AE) Cinema 4D, Substance Painter, Blender and Corel Painter.

What I mean by that is having WB fully skinning them and moreover not causing the crashing of the aforementioned.

Thanks Guys!.. Brad!

:hot:

Reply #65 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 59

The one thing I have wanted for years is to place the Windowblinds folder on a different drive to C:
This is easy to do.  Where you been?

 

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Reply #66 Top

Most people Mention The Transparency (and Image/pattern) For Explorer Background, But PLEASE don't forget that without similar update for the Left "folder area" it will feel Unbalanced^_^  

Reply #67 Top

PLEASE offer a Window Blinds Dark theme! You know probably MOST of your users use your software for making everything dark and then you go flashlight in eyes white background all over your app and our themes / skins can't even make it dark. Cmon guys!!

Reply #68 Top

-aha

Reply #69 Top

Quoting neone6, reply 68


Quoting johnwboyd,

PLEASE offer a Window Blinds Dark theme!

Dark enough ?: WindowBlinds - True Black| WinCustomize.com


He's talking about having Windowblinds itself being skinned Andy. He doesn't like the app itself being white.

Reply #70 Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 65


Quoting starkers,

The one thing I have wanted for years is to place the Windowblinds folder on a different drive to C:

This is easy to do.  Where you been?

 

I been down-under where the kookaburras fly and the wallabies leap willfully through the bush.:grin:  

As for it being easy, I just looked over the settings in WB and could not see an option anywhere to change the directory to another drive/location.  So please do tell me how it is done and how WB can still see the directory on another drive.  Thanks.:)  

 

Reply #72 Top

As mentioned a few posts up it would be nice to have a dark mode option. I think it's somewhat ironic that we cannot skin the Windowblinds UI itself, the bright White background hurts my eyes :(

Also a different way to view/choose themes would be nice. What I mean is, most of us have dozens of skins and it's quite awkward/clumsy trying to scroll through them only two deep at a time if you know what I mean.

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Reply #73 Top

Quoting johnwboyd, reply 67

PLEASE offer a Window Blinds Dark theme! You know probably MOST of your users use your software for making everything dark

Most users hate dark themes.

Reply #74 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 61

Better support for common apps (Edge, Chrome, etc.)

Sometimes in day, when i save some files in Edge Chromium i have 1 minutes lag, Only when WB is enabled.

Reply #75 Top

Once you go dark you will NEVER go back! I dare you to try it!