Fences 5.84 (was 5.81) Beta Feedback Thread

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

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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 Fences 5 a better product.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

fences
62,143 views 43 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Fences 5.84 Changelog (Released 09/25/2024)

09/25/2024

Version

Fences About UI: 5.84

Fences.exe: 5.8.4.7

Platforms

  • Stardock: 09/25/2024

  • Steam: tbd

Changes

  • Added functionality to resolve excessive User Account Control prompts.

  • Added the "Create debug package" option to the Troubleshooting area

  • Added a new advanced (C++) logging option to the Troubleshooting area

  • Updated Win11ContextMenu package's internal package icons (new installs only)

  • Prevent rare situations where all icons could end up on the desktop upon app startup

  • Prevent situations where a layout could not save when using old layout modes

  • Added resilience for desktop folders relocated to removable drives

  • Fixes ‘number of times opened’ sorting for items in a Fence.

  • Fixed "icons bunch up on bottom" issue

  • Fixed "layout stuck" issue

  • New feature: Ability to "Swap Screen Contents" in the Layouts tab. If you've arrived at a multi-monitor configuration and your icons/groups are not on the correct monitor, you can swap them until it's right. Find this under "Adjust displays" link.

  • Major Update: All users are now being migrated to the new multi-mon compatible auto layout adjustment system introduced in Fences v5.50. Unlike the previous options, this new system will keep track of your group positions on a per-monitor-configuration basis so that when you plug and unplug monitors/dock and undock, your groups and icons will be right where you left them. Additional messaging has been placed throughout the Layout tab area to emphasize and notify when users arrive to this tab. (Only users who currently have or have had in the past more than 1 monitor will be notified.)

  • Major Improvement: Folder Portals now resize lightning fast, so you can see their contents rearrange in real-time as you resize your group. It's pretty neat! And now super responsive.

  • Compatibility update: Peek performance and reliability has been further improved with the latest Windows Insider.

  • Compatibility update: It was possible for some Folder Portals to delay showing if one of the folder portals was actively syncing (i.e. Dropbox). This has been worked around.

  • Compatibility update: Roll-up Fence groups will remain open and expanded (vs retract) when you right-click on a file and navigate using Windows 11 Insider's new file context menu.

  • Compatibility update: On the latest Windows 11 Insider builds, desktop icon spacing will now respond more favorably especially when changing DPIs and especially when desktop icon size is set to "large".

  • Fix: When using Peek, you can now properly hold Control to multi-select files.

  • Fix: Folder Portals now correctly scroll with the mouse wheel one icon at a time, instead of Explorer's default of 1.5x at a time.

  • Fix: Folder Portals that have icons smaller than the desktop + are a single row in height would be taller than they should be on startup.

  • Fix: Potential crash when changing Windows system themes.

  • Fix: Using the pipe symbol "|" in title could cause issue with rules system.

  • Fix: Rule picker will now better stay up to date if you create a new Fence group and then navigate back to the dialog.

  • Fix: Mouse wheel + control now once again correctly resizes desktop icons .

  • Fix: Peek could dismiss if you do a desktop lasso during Peek and release the mouse outside of the Peek area.

  • QOL Improvement: Double-clicking on the "folder" or "up" icon of a folder portal title bar no longer triggers roll-up

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Known issues

Windows Insider Builds

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.

Thanks,
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
 

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
  • Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4037
  • Fences5 5.81
  • 6 Monitor Configuration

The same thing happened with the 5.81 Beta.

Updated to 5.81.

 

  • Configuration lost

On reboot, all my Fences need to be reconfigured/moved again.

The per Monitor Layout Snapshot was useless and didn't repair my Fence placement. Not did any earlier Layout Snapshots from previous versions.

Here is just 1 monitor. There are 5 more and all are messed up.

Fences prior to update were neatly spaced per Fence dimensions. A Layout Snapshot was taken before upgrading to 5.81

Please note: The Fences are a little hard to see as they are rolled up and the opacity is low. But the Fence names are visible on image enlargement. This has been happening since the Per Monitor addition to layouts. I am finding the per Monitor settings useless.

 

Post Update

Pre Update (Old Screenshot)

 

This is most inconvenient.

 

  • 3 Fences have vanished.

3 Fences have gone from another monitor.

  • Fences have moved to different monitors

Only one monitor out of 6 still had the correct Fences on them (Screenshot). But the Fences are huddled together and not in their correct places, as in the screenshot.

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

:annoyed: I have had to downgrade to the only other version I have that had backups that worked, Fences5_5.8.1.9-j126-Setup_sd, to get the Fences that vanished, back.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

5.81 does not save the layout.  Every reboot requires moving all my fences back.  Restore does not put them in the correct place despite the restore screenshot showing the correct layout.  See my screenshot... the restore image does not match where it puts the fences.  If I manually position the fences where I want them.  Save a snapshot, then reboot... they are jumbled down in the lower left corner again.

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 23H2

Installed on ‎12/‎8/‎2023

OS build 22631.4037

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 6

:annoyed: I have had to downgrade to the only other version I have that had backups that worked, Fences5_5.8.1.9-j126-Setup_sd, to get the Fences that vanished, back.

That is strange. The change logs for 5.81 Beta and 5.81 Release are the same.

It's interesting that rolling back to the Beta fixed your issue.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting thingmaker, reply 6

5.81 does not save the layout.  Every reboot requires moving all my fences back.  Restore does not put them in the correct place despite the restore screenshot showing the correct layout.  See my screenshot... the restore image does not match where it puts the fences.  If I manually position the fences where I want them.  Save a snapshot, then reboot... they are jumbled down in the lower left corner again.

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 23H2

Installed on ‎12/‎8/‎2023

OS build 22631.4037

Completely uninstall Fences, reboot, and install the current 5.81 release again, please.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 7


Quoting iPooped,
reply 6

:annoyed: I have had to downgrade to the only other version I have that had backups that worked, Fences5_5.8.1.9-j126-Setup_sd, to get the Fences that vanished, back.



That is strange. The change logs for 5.81 Beta and 5.81 Release are the same.

It's interesting that rolling back to the Beta fixed your issue.


 

I have no idea why it corrected the issue. But the fact remains, the beta (Fences5_5.8.1.9-j126-Setup_sd ) I was given here in a thread because of a past issue, works. The Beta release that was posted officially and the final release of 5.81, both cause my issues above

I have removed Fences5 with Revo, removed all registry entries, Rebooted and reinstalled 5.81 with the same result. Fences are jumbled, at least 4 are missing, not to be found.

 

For Stardock:

I have work to do, I actually make a living with my PC. Stardock software is for streamlining for me, I am not a 16yo that spends time messing about with the look of my PC as a hobby. It’s a work horse.

So please forgive me when I complain of inconvenience, I don’t mean offence, I’m just direct.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 7

That is strange. The change logs for 5.81 Beta and 5.81 Release are the same.

I misspoke, it was 5.4 which I had to reload. My apologies.

As I seem to be on my own here and being unaddressed (Thanks for the support) I found the problem myself:

I deleted everything Stardock.  Almost of a mind to keep it that way.

I reloaded 5.81 and by chance screwed around on the monitor that had "5" (as it turned out) missing Fences.

Taking my mouse pointer to the top of the screen I dragged down to find it dragging open the missing Fences.

I had to repeat this on 3 other monitors.

 

Screenshot (faint Fences on screen, by design)

Both the monitors on the top of the following configuration & or the singular monitors had the same problem. The bottom most monitors were just a messed up dump of fences all over the place.

 

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

More questions.

Please tell me:

  1. Why does the "Configure Fence"s option move from the sub context menu to the main context menu, it seems a random occurrence.
  2. Where has "Lock Fences" gone?

 

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 10


Quoting pelaird,
reply 7

That is strange. The change logs for 5.81 Beta and 5.81 Release are the same.



I misspoke, it was 5.4 which I had to reload. My apologies.


As I seem to be on my own here and being unaddressed (Thanks for the support) I found the problem myself:

I deleted everything Stardock.  Almost of a mind to keep it that way.

I reloaded 5.81 and by chance screwed around on the monitor that had "5" (as it turned out) missing Fences.

Taking my mouse pointer to the top of the screen I dragged down to find it dragging open the missing Fences.

I had to repeat this on 3 other monitors.

 

Screenshot (faint Fences on screen, by design)



Both the monitors on the top of the following configuration & or the singular monitors had the same problem. The bottom most monitors were just a messed up dump of fences all over the place.



 

After saving a layout for 5.81 Upon reboot, all my Fences had reverted back to messed up and missing.

Layout restore did nothing.

I just spent an hour repairing my Fences. Brilliant.

 

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

When Opening the layout page, settings automatically jump from Per Screen to Per monitor and the Fences are instantly defaulting back to messed up and missing.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 11

Why does the "Configure Fence"s option move from the sub context menu to the main context menu, it seems a random occurrence.
Where has "Lock Fences" gone?

Really sorry you are experiencing these issues with Fences. If 5.4 is working for you, I would just stick with that for now.

Are you using any 3rd party monitor management software? If so, that might be causing this issue, or it could be that Fences just can't handle six monitors.

@Dr. W - Fences is a Stardock support member specializing in Fences support. Hopefully he will respond to you posts.

I think moving the "Configure Fences" to the main menu was a design choice.

To enable "Lock Fences" you have to add a registry key. See instructions here:

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1621360668/Show+%22Lock+Fences%22+in+Fences+5

 

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 14

Really sorry you are experiencing these issues with Fences. If 5.4 is working for you, I would just stick with that for now.

I have no other choice. I have lost hours of work production time due to apparently having to BETA test a released software. I am (in my opinion) understandably frustrated.

Quoting pelaird, reply 14

Are you using any 3rd party monitor management software?

No.

Quoting pelaird, reply 14

it could be that Fences just can't handle six monitors.

It's been fine up until 5.5, so that has to tell you something? As per my comments and my account purchase info, I've had no issue with other versions of Fences all the way back to Fences3

 

Quoting pelaird, reply 14

I think moving the "Configure Fences" to the main menu was a design choice.

Hey? On reboot it's back in the sub menu. Do you mean it alternates if accessed? As per what you quoted from me, it seems "random"

 

Quoting pelaird, reply 14

To enable "Lock Fences" you have to add a registry key. See instructions here:

 

Since when?

 

At least you have the decency to respond. I've made a complaint ticket for the lack of responses to my concerns against the apparent inclusion of other users issues.

 

regards.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 15

At least you have the decency to respond. I've made a complaint ticket for the lack of responses to my concerns against the apparent inclusion of other users issues.

Good luck my friend. Hope you get it sorted.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi Sean,  I did as you asked and it did not fix the issue.  This version is not remembering Fence locations, nor does it restore them.  Please advise.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Can you provide or email me with a link to a previous working version?  I could not find a link in my account.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 13

When Opening the layout page, settings automatically jump from Per Screen to Per monitor and the Fences are instantly defaulting back to messed up and missing.

Per monitor will soon be the only option available so any issue with it needs to be resolved with it set. 

Quoting iPooped, reply 15

At least you have the decency to respond. I've made a complaint ticket for the lack of responses to my concerns against the apparent inclusion of other users issues.

You have had the attention of several people here, iPooped, including the lead developer.  I get that you are frustrated (as are we) but accuracy regarding our continued involvement would be welcome.

Since I do not see that you have ever created your own thread as we had hoped you would, I have done so for you.  Please review it and respond accordingly.

https://forums.stardock.com/529991/thread-for-ipooped-and-his-monitor-issues-with-fences-581

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

 

 

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting thingmaker, reply 17

Hi Sean,  I did as you asked and it did not fix the issue.  This version is not remembering Fence locations, nor does it restore them.  Please advise.

Please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/529991/thread-for-ipooped-and-his-monitor-issues-with-fences-581

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdrohan, reply 19


Since I do not see that you have ever created your own thread as we had hoped you would, I have done so for you.  Please review it and respond accordingly.


As for creating a thread, this is the feedback thread. I am giving feedback on things in 5.81 that do not work with a 6 monitor configuration.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting iPooped, reply 21

As for creating a thread, this is the feedback thread. I am giving feedback on things in 5.81 that do not work with a 6 monitor configuration.

Would appreciate if you can use the new thread for your feedback. This is so that your issue don't get confused with other user issues on V5.81. We are not ignoring your issue, on the contrary, I believe, Support is giving your issue a serious priority for resolving it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting PhoenixRising1, reply 23

@ipooped and thingmaker

A while back someone with a similar issue fixed their setup by purging "Fences 4" which was still active running along Fences 5

https://forums.stardock.com/529682/page/1/#3940366

With the way the installer works, that should never be the case.  What 'could' happen is that certain files are not being overwritten - that would be a problem.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Edited by Admin for clarity: Sean Drohan

I never got Fences 5.81 to work properly. Initially, it wouldn't allow me to add icons to any fences, rendering the fences I created useless because they were empty. That was only part of the issue. Every time I rebooted my PC—which I do daily—the fences would reset, returning to their initial empty state.

I might have reinstalled Fences 5.81 at some point, and after doing so, the icons started to populate the fences, and I could create portals to folders. Everything looked fine, but after the next reboot, the same problem occurred: the fences were empty again, and all my folder portals were gone.

Customer service wasn't helpful; they expected me to troubleshoot the issue by sifting through loads of posts, which was overwhelming. The one post I found that seemed related mentioned dual monitors, but that wasn't my issue. My problem was that every time I rebooted, everything reset to the first time I installed Fences 5.81. Nothing I tried addressed this issue.

Frustrated, I gave up on Fences 5.81 and reverted to Fences 2.0. However, Fences 2.0 initially wouldn't load either, giving me a notice that it was "corrupted" and needed to be reinstalled. I couldn't add a single fence to Fences 2.0. I tried setting compatibility to Windows 7 and checked "Run as Administrator," but Fences 2.0 still wouldn't install correctly.

By chance, I tried opening Fences 2.0 by right-clicking and selecting "Run as Administrator," and to my surprise, it loaded perfectly. Unfortunately, I lost all the data I deleted while trying to fix Fences 2.0 before discovering that all I needed to do was manually select "Run as Administrator."

The problem is that I don't know how to write a script to automatically set Fences 2.0 to "Run as Administrator," so I have to manually select it each time, which prevents Fences 2.0 from running automatically after a reboot. I suspect that the same Windows 11 issue that blocked Fences 2.0 from loading automatically is also preventing Fences 5.81 from loading properly and saving settings after a reboot.

I’m looking for help with this issue. Specifically:

  1. Bypassing the Windows 11 Restriction: Finding a way to bypass whatever in Windows 11 is preventing Fences 2.0 from loading automatically as "Run as Administrator."
  2. Creating a Script or Shortcut: Writing a script or setting up a shortcut that forces Fences 2.0 to automatically load in "Run as Administrator" mode. The compatibility settings don’t seem to work automatically, and I don’t know enough about scripting to write one myself.

This might also be helpful for Fences 5.81, though I haven't tried it yet. I just want to get what I had working again. Fences 2.0 worked fine for years, even after upgrading to Windows 11, but something corrupted my login account, which I rebuilt, and nothing has worked right since then.

A script or solution would be greatly appreciated.