Single User License Enforcement
Stardock Forums
In the past Stardock unofficially allowed up to 5 devices to install Object Desktop on.
This made the license reasonable and I purchased Object Desktop even though I only really use Start10, Fences, and Deskscapes.
However, Stardock has made 2 changes that have caused a lot of confusion:
#1: Aggressive subscription prompts - I was misled into thinking my products would stop working unless I paid a renewal fee, so I did. Nowhere in the on-screen prompts was it made clear that the products would continue to work after subscription lapse.
#2: Strict enforcement of the 1 license/1 computer rule - activating on a second machine will immediately deactivate prior machines.
This has now made Object Desktop a very poor deal. My NordVPN, AdBlock, and Bitdefender subscriptions allows for at least 5 devices each. Even Spotify, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and other subscription services are multi-device.
The subscription renewal prompts are also misleading because they don't properly inform a user of their continued use rights.
It's also unclear that archiving an Object Desktop installer is sufficient. Do I also have to make archive copies of all the individual installers that Object Desktop manages? That would be an extremely user-unfriendly and misleading policy as well.
In summary:
#1: I would like to respectfully ask that Stardock reinstate their 5-device grace policy, or even make it an official policy.
#2: It would also help if the subscription prompts made it clear that I could still use Object Desktop only without updates.
Thank you.
*** EDIT:
Found out via Reddit that the EULA was changed in 2019 to be 1 license/1 computer.
Archived forum posts confirm that in 2018 and earlier Stardock allowed 5 devices.
I initially purchased my license in March 2017 and was not aware of the EULA change when I renewed my subscription. I've renewed 3 times since my initial purchase and I'm more than a little upset that my reward for being loyal is to actually get *less* than what I originally paid for. Stardock *please* reconsider your policy.
