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?
Now if I can only find my product key.
Look on your My Downloads page.
So old skins will not work on WB11? I have a loot skins from 2008 to 2022 and all works on WB10.
It should be no different then when Windowblinds went from Windows 8 to Windows 10 on that.
I was more or less trying to contemplate Microsoft's new strategy of several small updates per year on top of there yearly big update. I think they just want to keep everyone a little more busy.
We are making good progress on our last few items, beta will land next week.
Will the Beta be available to all Members ?.
Maybe BradSams can reply here letting us all know who will and more importantly, who will not get the Beta. As far as i know, I do not subscribe (but maybe wrong) but i have purchased WB 10, Start 10 and 11, and have had Icon packager bought for me as a gift, so will I get it, as i simply do not know.
So, Us Master skinners won't have access to the Beta unless subscribing ?
Stardock has made all their beta software on Windows 11 available to everyone so far. As has been the case with fences 4 beta and start 11 beta, you were able to buy an early access license strictly for that product.
Hm...So how much wil WB11 Beta Cost ?
It's part of your subscription if you have purchased windowblinds 10 or object desktop.
I'm assuming WB11 is an entirely new compilation..., I'm thinkin they'll need a few bucks!
Sounds good, I only want to skin the OS anyway, since more and more apps, and games, crash or present bugs when skinned. My exclusion lists grows ever larger, and some apps/games are such a mess with EXEs, I can't even find the right one, and just have to close WB instead.
Looking forward to beta, if eligible.
Well WB10 works correct on Windows 10. All apps and games run nice, no crash or other bugs.
I don't think so.
We only have to wait a few more days to see which one of us is right.
Peace 😉
I think in the WB topic that was locked, WB 11 will be a new stand alone product that we will have to Pay for, in a similar way to us paying for Start 10, then paying for Start 11 when that was released, not sure if it was BradSams who said it, but that was what was written.
Really need to get my hands on it now as i have New WBs waiting on its release to test how they migrate over to Win 11.
As always, those who have an ObjectDesktop subscription will be the ones having access to the betas. If I'm not mistaken, that is the way it has always been. Without a subscription, going from WB10 to WB11 would be a paid upgrade.
If I'm wrong, someone correct me please.
You mean skins you have made or purchased?
Sean DrohanStardock Product Lifecycle Manager
You mean skins you have made or purchased?Sean DrohanStardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Actually they are Commissions. I Have Hired one of our Master Skinners to create me some New Bespoke Windowblinds Using Themes as a source and Guide, they have been installed (so far 1, as another is still being created but will not be too much longer) on Win 10, but as Start 11 has some new features and WB 11 will too, i still need to see them in all there Glory on a Win 11 22H2 22622.521.
Edit Maybe you can answer the question about who gets the Beta of WB11, cheers.
We only have to wait a few more days to see which one of us is right.Peace 😉
As You may see from my join date here, I have seen plenty WindowBlinds releases over time. I can only recommend to subscribe to Object Desktop to get all the goodies and betas.
Must be a staff member/Moderator who can confirm who will and who will not get the Beta, do not really care who is right or wrong, but Clarity would be wonderful right now, Jafo or Doc, can you ask those in the know, and settle this please either way.
Not confirmed but I would think that it would be available for users as part of Stardock's Object Desktop suite.
If you have an active Object Desktop account it should be available when released.
I can only confirm that every software released on Windows 11 that had a beta release (i.e. Start 11 beta and Fences 4 beta) could be purchased as a stand alone license AND / OR was included in OD subscription.
If you have an Object Desktop Subscription - WB11 is part of that. If you purchased any previous version of WindowBlinds, there is an upgrade offer and I'll have a few keys as well to give to those who are committed to updating their skins to support some of the new features that WB11 enables.
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