Is Fences maybe too overloaded with all kind of functions?

Are all options really needed?

from Stardock Forums

Hi,
As a Fences user for many years now, I still like it. But... All the extra gimmicks are making it unstable. Icons replacing itself, found an icon back somewhere floating on the desktop, not in the Fence where it belongs. Sorting within the Fences changes after reboot. (that was solved somewhere last year [2025] but has returned...). 
Sure, I like giving different colors to the Fences, but it's not really neccessary (for me). 
Folders: I don't use it, can't figure oiut why I should.
And finding the place to make a back-up: the place in the menu is to far away, in Layout, not a spot where you would expecty a back-up function. Should be a main function, easy to find.
And indeed, the menu's arte small, too small, pixelated almost. people use high res displays, so make it sizable or confirm the system settings.


Maybe this wil help.
Greetings
Jaap

fences
8,014 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes, not such a silly complaint.  I too prefer it as its original function was.  No bells and whistles.

Unfortunately [or fortunately] Fences has been very popular so many have wanted more and more added it to it so the Devs have provided.

I wonder if there shouldn't be a 'Fences Lite' that just corrals desktop icons, and does nothing else.

I know my main machine is running Fences 3, just to group icons logically and avail myself of hiding alternatives...

But that's it as they're all straight program launchers.  I don't use the desktop for documents or images etc...I've always used a File Manager to manage ...er....files...;)

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello Jaap,

Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know more on your issues, which not a normal Fences behavior.

  1. Fences full versions number.
  2. Windows 11 full version and OS Build numbers. Use Winver.exe for it.
  3. How often the icons moved by themself, only after reboot?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi Basj,
I use Fences version 6.20, the latest.
Windows 11, 25H2, build 26200.7623.
The last time my icons moved was indeed after a reboot.
But als when I place a new shortcut or program inside a fence, and than start working on other things, I saw the shortcuts appearing on my Desktop, and later on some shortcuts were relocated to another fence.
But it's difficult to reproduce. 
And no, I did not select any shortcuts do move or so.

Grtngs
Jaap

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Need to know what is your Layout management page. Post screenshot on that page.

Also, if you upgrading from previous version of Fences, in come reported cases, just by changing that Layout auto-adjustments setting to something else, than set it back to "Store my layout on a per-monitor configuration basis" did help.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi,
I use a new laptop that only has this version of Fences on it (6.20). 
My layout page is this:

So I already have the required settings. 

Grtngs,
Jaap

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Perhaps it was not installed properly, it should look like mine. Please try, uninstall Fences, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products.  Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

At installation of the laptop 2 months ago is was installed properly. Downloaded from my account page. I always reboot after an installation of Fences. But I will try it again.
BTW, my screenshot is exactly the same as yours, only in Dutch language. 🇳🇱

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

From your first screenshot you only have 3 radio buttons, which should have 4 radio buttons. So now you have 4 radio buttons? Do you still have the same issue? 

Quoting basj, reply 4

Also, if you upgrading from previous version of Fences, in come reported cases, just by changing that Layout auto-adjustments setting to something else, than set it back to "Store my layout on a per-monitor configuration basis" did help.

Have you tried this one? 

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi,
I did all actions: uninstalled Fences, reboot, download Fences from account, installed it, had to enter the product key, reboot again.
And the screen show exactly as before 3 radio buttons instead of the 4:
 
Version:

That is all I have.


The good news is that all icons stayed in place after reboot. Don't know if or when the other 'problem' of moving icons occurs. (as said earlier, that is not easy to reproduce).

Hope this is enough info,

Grtngs,
Jaap

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes the latest version is v6.20. Not really sure why you only have 3 option on that area. Try this, select the first option. Without changing back to the last option, reboot your system. After it was done rebooting, check back, do you see 4 option buttons? 

If no, you still have 3 option only, please try purge and reinstall steps as mention here : [Link]. Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account page. Reboot after the purge. Reinstall and reboot again after the installation. Retest and report back here.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.