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?
I agree with you there. It does comes across as a joke. In essence it is stating that Windows 12 will be released soon and will require 2 TPM 2.0 chips which no one has. Technically, It isn't really 2 TPM chips but it is indeed a second security chip that just came out by Microsoft and is in very few devices even new ones do not have them in many cases. It has to be a joke.
Yes , as per many MS jokes, it's on us. Still i am sure when and if it does happen , there will still be peeps at GitHub and other like minded places who will create a fix making the insistence on 2 TPM chip not really necessary at all. So far none of my machines has the chip and the ones Running Win 11 work and update just fine, can not see that changing, i certainly will not rush out and add more money to my set up just because MS says so , they will always act and others will re act.
How or where do I get W10 explore.exe file?
Windows 12 – five things we have to see from Microsoft's rumored upgrade | TechRadar
Just saying.
I almost was gonna SAY SOMETHING STUPID, BUT........ WB 11 -Kindof.
Windowblinds 12 will be out in February of 2024😉
Just to provide an update, we are making progress on WB11 - we don't have a public release date yet but are pushing toward internal deadlines so that we can release the application that is compatible with the many flavors of Windows 11.
Many thanks for the update BradSams.
I can Not Wait to get my Hands on it, well i can wait, you get the idea.
Jeezus... Fences, Groupie, Start 11, etc etc etc.... get this train on the rail !
(which is THE No. One product ALL Time)
IDK. Groupy and Start11 for me are required.
WB11 is a fun toy to play around with. I think the UI in 11 has been improved enough to not need WB11.
The worst parts of the UI in Windows 11 are taken care of with Start 11. The Start menu and the task bar are the problems. However, I have gotten used the Windows 11 menu concept and it has definitely grown on me. Still Start 11 does the Windows 11 themed start menu better then Microsoft does.
Other then those two issue's, I do not understand why people dislike the UI in Windows 11. It actually is the best looking OS I have seen from Microsoft to date. But, as good as the UI is, the ability to theme Windows 11 is very lacking. All we get is a few minor color changes, what the heck? I look forward to Windowblinds 11 being able to change that.
I have now put in so many man hours on Win 11, For me it is the go to OS, I Love it, just needs a WB11 to go with it to make it whole for me, although the flip side of the coin "Themes" can do a lot more at the moment, i have posted screenshots of my Win 11 Fully Skinned or Themed in other topics.
When WB11 does arrive, i think i will keep both Win 11 SSDs, one for each.
My all time Favourite thing built into WB10, has to be the Colour Changer, i do hope this is built on and can still do all it does now and more maybe, with just 1 Skin using this tool, gives the user the ability to create Different Colour Sub Styles making the WB look Brilliant in several Contrasting Colours.
Also a question.
Will WB11 and Skin Studio both be updated at the same time and released, i only ask as i have read nothing about this, and when i purchased WB , Skin Studio came with it, maybe a daft question as the skinners will need an updated Skin Studio to work with WB11, Have i got this correct anyone?
Can this be updated then? It's at the bottom of the object desktop page.
Please refer to this thread on Stardock Software compatibility list : https://forums.stardock.com/505717/stardock-app-compatibility
Thank you,
Basj,Stardock Community Assistant
I would like to see some streamlining in skin studio myself. It would be nice if amateurs could dip their feet into the skinning waters a bit and do things such as making slight alterations to skins that need updated from windows 10 to windows 11.
I find windows 11 UI acceptable but what I really want is Windows 7 UI that's why I will be using Windowblinds when it finally makes its appearance. Stardock has indicated that the reason for Windowblinds 11 delay was because they chose to put the resources into start 11 first. If and when windows 12 makes it debut I think Stardock should put their emphasis on windowblinds 12 first then work on Start 12.
I would agree with the W7 UI. Aero > *. However I still think the Start* line is a bit more important. Unless MSFT actually makes a useful start menu. The start menu lends far more to productivity which at the end of the day IS the name of the game. At some point I actually need to USE my machine and get some work done. I am aware that the UI does play a big role as well. If like me you spend 10+ hours a day staring at it a dull drab UI can detract from productivity.
In short W11's UI has improved to the point that WB11 isn't really required to use the machine but does enhance it. I will of course try it out but at this point there are far too many concerns I have. First off we have no idea what type of skin support it will have. Judging by just the way MSFT has changed various elements at the very least many older skins will require some overhauling. Based on various comments here it doesn't appear many skinners are willing to do so. You could very well find yourself with a shiny brand new WB11 with little or no skins or many skins (that you may have paid for) that are at best broken.
Secondly It may not even be possible to "skin" W11 the same way as before. It is for example possible that some elements can't be skinned at all. This could lead to a very broken look/feel. I have noticed it with WB10 in many cases. While technically you can say "it works" that doesn't mean the overall look/feel is a pleasant one.
Again however as we have nothing to test atm I could be totally wrong on all points (god I hope I am). Only time (and a beta release) will tell. I will say that I have faith in SD. If it is indeed possible to make WB11 with a complete coherent look I'm sure they will do it.
Brilliant idea mate, if the skinners are willing to produce a short tutorial, not even sure that is possible as they too do not know what skins will or will not work, not yet anyway mate.
I want also W7 Windows classic look. Using a modified Precision 7 with the Winretro (also slightly modified) taskbar is perfect. Winretro alone looks too hash for my taste but its taskbar is the best.
In particular, I spent a lot of time to find how get back the contrast in the file explorer between the fields "name", "size", etc... which were grey on W7 while they are the same white as the data below with a separation line barely one pixel wide took me a lot of time. I'd like to be able just use these themes and get the same results:
[url=https://postimages.org/][/url]
As for the menu, sorry for speaking of another product, but there is another one, which I won't name here to respect the forum owners, that is vastly superior to the Stardock one. It's made so you NEVER need to scroll. Just never if your screen is big enough. Every other menu I saw is clumsy in comparison, and there is a free version for the non power users.
Here is a global look. I don't show the menu on purpose:
[url=https://postimg.cc/Q9rXJ4pm][/url]
Any news in progress ?
Take a look at the changelog for the latest Start11 beta 😉
Google "When will then be now?" from the movie, "Space Balls." 😜
Doesn't say more than that so that's hardly anything new.
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