WindowBlinds 8.1 update is available now.

from WinCustomize Forums

Today we released the WindowBlinds 8.1 update that includes fixes for skinning issues with Thunderbird, Firefox, Skype and Directory Opus. We also improved support for high DPI displays. View the full changelog.

Visit your Stardock account to download the update.  If you don’t already own WindowBlinds now is a great time to check it out. To learn more visit http://bit.ly/1FBxBH2

168,258 views 64 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I had high hopes for this update because I have had the Firefox title bar issue for a long time. After installing it, however, I can't run Firefox or Waterfox at all! They both crash immediately on launch.

I have been a paying Object Desktop user for thirteen years and maintain two Object Desktop subscriptions. I'm getting really fed up with this. If it doesn't get fixed before my subscriptions expire, Stardock will lose my business.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

8.1 appears to have resolved the intermittent transparent titlebar issue with Pale Moon.  8.095 had not.

Being a windows-optimized version of Firefox, might be worth trying to see if you have same problem.  If it won't start, either, there could conceivably be a video driver issue.  YMMV.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OOPS.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I see that the developers still haven't fixed the version number problem! WB still reports version 8.09 after installing 8.1, but the Object Desktop Manager and IOBit's Uninstaller report the correct version. The only way to apparently fix this is to uninstall WB and run a registry cleaner (I use IOBit's Uninstaller which does both), then reinstall.

I am puzzled that this trivial issue hasn't yet been fixed!

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting kkunderwood, reply 4

I see that the developers still haven't fixed the version number problem! WB still reports version 8.09 after installing 8.1, but the Object Desktop Manager and IOBit's Uninstaller report the correct version. The only way to apparently fix this is to uninstall WB and run a registry cleaner (I use IOBit's Uninstaller which does both), then reinstall.

I am puzzled that this trivial issue hasn't yet been fixed!
End of kkunderwood's quote

I got the update and the version number is showing correctly when I check it in WB configuration and ODM.  It may be that your download was show how corrupted.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Please note that if the version in WB is shown as incorrect then the install did not take place correctly.  The version shown in ODM or any other app is based on the version of the installer, the WB version is based on what the files themselves say.

I would recommend against the use of ObjectDesktop Manager at this time as I believe all reports of this behaviour have come from installing via that.  Please instead use the standalone installers.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting emanresu, reply 1

I had high hopes for this update because I have had the Firefox title bar issue for a long time. After installing it, however, I can't run Firefox or Waterfox at all! They both crash immediately on launch.

I have been a paying Object Desktop user for thirteen years and maintain two Object Desktop subscriptions. I'm getting really fed up with this. If it doesn't get fixed before my subscriptions expire, Stardock will lose my business.
End of emanresu's quote

Unfortunately what you are seeing is not what everyone else is seeing.  This usually points to something else running which is interfering with WindowBlinds.  Do you perhaps have any addins which might impact text rendering in FireFox, or any apps which force Direct3D settings on games?

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Neil's suggestion to avoid using ODM for updating WB caught my eye.  The titlebar issues with FF & PM were reportedly 'fixed' with 8.09 but persisted on my rig after updating to 8.09 using ODM.  I remembered I really want to keep the installers saved so this time I D/L'd the installer from my account page and installed using it, which actually did fix the issue.  So maybe Neil is on to something.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you for email me and let me know the software update. I am very happy and good time to all people in Stardock company.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 8

Neil's suggestion to avoid using ODM for updating WB caught my eye.  The titlebar issues with FF & PM were reportedly 'fixed' with 8.09 but persisted on my rig after updating to 8.09 using ODM.  I remembered I really want to keep the installers saved so this time I D/L'd the installer from my account page and installed using it, which actually did fix the issue.  So maybe Neil is on to something.
End of Daiwa's quote
ODM has been as flakey as Grannies biscuits since day one. Avoid it like a bad case of the clap. Go to your account page at https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products  for all info and downloads.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I had high hopes for this update because I have had the Firefox title bar issue for a long time. After installing it, however, I can't run Firefox or Waterfox at all! They both crash immediately on launch. I have been a paying Object Desktop user for thirteen years and maintain two Object Desktop subscriptions. I'm getting really fed up with this. If it doesn't get fixed before my subscriptions expire, Stardock will lose my business.
End of quote

 

I get the same error Firefox(Firefox Latest BETA) crashes immediately opon starting.
If i unload Windowblinds and try Firefox...it works!
Fix please!

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 7


Quoting emanresu,
reply 1

I had high hopes for this update because I have had the Firefox title bar issue for a long time. After installing it, however, I can't run Firefox or Waterfox at all! They both crash immediately on launch.

I have been a paying Object Desktop user for thirteen years and maintain two Object Desktop subscriptions. I'm getting really fed up with this. If it doesn't get fixed before my subscriptions expire, Stardock will lose my business.



Unfortunately what you are seeing is not what everyone else is seeing.  This usually points to something else running which is interfering with WindowBlinds.  Do you perhaps have any addins which might impact text rendering in FireFox, or any apps which force Direct3D settings on games?

End of Neil's quote

 

Neil!s reply on the error you have posted about, 

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Had same problem of FF crashing at launch.  Ran in Safe Mode which worked and disabled all extensions.  FF now worked.  Eventually tracked problem down to Fire IE.  Now looking for alternate IE tab - any suggestions ?

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Following on from my previous post..... I got Fireie extension to work with FF - seems to be an out-of-process plugin problem.  Need to go into about:config (dangerous) and set the option for "dom.ipc.plugins.enabled.npfieie32.dll" to TRUE. Can find details on FireIE's website forum.

Nice to get FF working properly with Windowblinds.

+1 Loading…
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

I was premature.  The intermittent total transparency of Pale Moon's titlebar persists (x86 version) with 8.1 after all, even using the standalone installer.  Re-applying WB corrects it.  Just an annoyance.  Not using Fire IE or similar plugin.

EDIT:  I should note that my two Win7 desktops (both Dells) do not manifest this transparency issue.  The Dell laptop, which happens to have Intel integrated graphics, is the one with the issue, so it may be a driver incompatibility in my case.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Please note that if the version in WB is shown as incorrect then the install did not take place correctly.  The version shown in ODM or any other app is based on the version of the installer, the WB version is based on what the files themselves say. I would recommend against the use of ObjectDesktop Manager at this time as I believe all reports of this behaviour have come from installing via that.  Please instead use the standalone installers.
End of quote

I had the same problem and I don't use Object Desktop Manager. Had to uninstall the old one, reboot, and install the new one.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Had same problem of FF crashing at launch.  Ran in Safe Mode which worked and disabled all extensions.  FF now worked.  Eventually tracked problem down to Fire IE.  Now looking for alternate IE tab - any suggestions ?
End of quote

I've tried starting with -safe-mode and with -ProfileManager ... made no difference.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This usually points to something else running which is interfering with WindowBlinds.  Do you perhaps have any addins which might impact text rendering in FireFox, or any apps which force Direct3D settings on games?
End of quote

It's not due to any Firefox add-on; it won't even start with -safe-mode. I don't play any games or anything at all with special Direct3D settings. My machine is only a few months old and still nice and clean.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

8.1 appears to have resolved the intermittent transparent titlebar issue with Pale Moon.  8.095 had not. Being a windows-optimized version of Firefox, might be worth trying to see if you have same problem.  If it won't start, either, there could conceivably be a video driver issue.  YMMV.
End of quote

I have both Waterfox and Firefox Developer Edition installed. Both have the same problem.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Neil's suggestion to avoid using ODM for updating WB caught my eye.  The titlebar issues with FF & PM were reportedly 'fixed' with 8.09 but persisted on my rig after updating to 8.09 using ODM.  I remembered I really want to keep the installers saved so this time I D/L'd the installer from my account page and installed using it, which actually did fix the issue.  So maybe Neil is on to something.
End of quote

I don't use OD Manager at all. I downloaded the installer. First time didn't work; still showed the old version number. I had to uninstall WindowBlinds, reboot, and install the new version. Got the right version number then, but Firefox and Waterfox crash on launch.

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

I am afraid we do not support prerelease software like firefox developer edition.  If you can reproduce the problem with the release version of firefox then please let us know.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Mine doesn't work even if I unload WindowBlinds. I have to either uninstall it or select the Windows Default theme and reboot.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I am afraid we do not support prerelease software like firefox developer edition.  If you can reproduce the problem with the release version of firefox then please let us know.
End of quote

Just installed standard Firefox 36.0.4 and amazingly, it works. But note:

  • I see no indication that Firefox Developer Edition is considered "pre-release" software anymore.
  • Waterfox 36.0.1 still does not work and it is not pre-release software either.
  • I still cannot use WindowBlinds because I use Firefox Developer Edition for business.

 

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you very much for this WindowBlinds update!  It's nice to have a working FireFox again (it's been a long time)!

Just a note that I updated both my desktop and laptop with Object Desktop Manager and the process completed successfully (Windows 8.1).

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WindowBlinds 8.09 no problème avec Firefox Developer édition 64 bits avec accélération materiel activé

Windowblinds 8.09 no problème avec Firefox 36.0.4  accélération matériel désactivé

Windowblinds 8.1 crash sur les deux versions ci-dessus