There have been some reports of clients receiving '212' activation errors when trying to upgrade from a prior version of Fences (seemingly from Fences 3 and 4, not Fences 5) to Fences 6. We have created this thread to gather such reports and to keep you posted on our investigation of it.
***Reserved***
We suspect there might be an issue preventing Fences from writing to a specific folder. This could be due to permission restrictions or interference from antivirus or security software.
Please follow these steps to help us diagnose the issue:
%ProgramData%\Stardock\
This action will navigate to the directory: C:\ProgramData\Stardock.
C:\ProgramData\Stardock
We need to verify a few things:
C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Fences6
Additionally, if you are familiar with the Event Viewer:
Furthermore, please check the SasLog.txt log file located at %localappdata%\stardock\Fences6\. Let us know if there are any errors related to writing or setting permissions for these folders.
SasLog.txt
%localappdata%\stardock\Fences6\
Should you encounter any permission-related issues, you might need to adjust the write permissions for these folders or seek assistance from your IT department.
In addition to what T-Man said, please ensure that 'Windows Controlled Folder Access' is not enabled (as a test).
Sean DrohanStardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Hello
I have this error.OS: Windows 11Path: C:\ProgramData\StardockDirectorys: Fences4, Fences5Rights: DIOwner: *currently logged on user
I had the same issue on Windows 10. To fix it, I manually created a Fences6 folder in ProgramData > Stardock. Then, I right-clicked that, went to the Security tab, clicked on Users (System and Administrators were also listed), clicked Edit to change permissions, turned on (checked) Full control, Modify, and Write, and saved. Then, I was able to activate.
*** Carry over from https://forums.stardock.com/535188/page/1/#3964209 ***Answers
Directory: C:\ProgramData\Stardock.
Confirm directories exist:
1. C:\ProgramData\Stardock CONFIRMED PRESENT [Set at Read Only]
2. C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Fences6 NOT PRESENT
Antivirus exempts Fences
Firewall exempts Fences
Application Log: Not sure how to filter this to find if there are log errors
SasLog.txt = \WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE'.
[2025-03-12T17:43:11] Error : SetFilePermissions: Unable to get security info for C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Fences6
[2025-03-12T17:43:11] Info : Loaded package file 'c:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Default.spak', Version '6'.
[2025-03-12T17:43:12] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2688', Product Name 'Fences6', Version '5.9.8.9', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.My actions:1. Will uninstall Fences 62. Reinstall and run as administrator3. will validate
Confirm directories exist and write access
1. C:\ProgramData\Stardoc
2. C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Fences6
I will repost results
FIXED
I uninstalledI deleted both of these files manually
C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock
I ran the installation as AdministratorI was able to register the product successfully.
ISSUE RESOLVED!Thank you Team
Very pleased to read that you were able to resolve it.
That could only mean that it was not asking you for Admin when installing normally? I cant think of anything (other than something someone manually changed) that would prevent that from happening. Do you know of any such changes you made?
I am having this error 212 as well. I had my v5 set to auto take a daily rollback picture. If I uninstall beta 6, and reinstall v5 will I have access to these snapshots? See: How to go back to Fences 5 from Fences 6
Reply #2 was the key - something was preventing the installer from writing to the folder to create the "Fences6" folder - saslog.txt was the key in confirming that. I did what was suggested in Reply #5 above (manually creating "Fences6" and setting the permissions) and that worked. I actually tried that before, but didn't set "Users" permission to "Full".
Issue resolved (at least for me!)
Yes, I tried that. Thanks. Did not work. I just did it again and opened the Fences folder and it was empty. I found it here [along with all of my Stardock installations]: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Stardock - this is just where Stardock installed all my software by default. In any case, Fences 5 now works [version 5.88]. However, OD keeps wanting to update it. Can't find any setting to turn off downloading betas. I know it used to be there, but at the moment I can't seem to find it. I do not want to go through this again.
For turning off Betas, please turn off this setting in OD.
Thank you,
Basj,Stardock Community Assistant
Thanks. I guess that has changed. Appreciated.
Edit: Actually, I already have that option UNchecked, yet OD wants to download version 6 again. There used to be a setting that specifically said "Betas." If it's still there, I can't find it.
Actually, If I remember correctly, It was Betas before now it call "Insider Builds"
BTW, do you still have issue running Fences 6?
I actually haven't tried, but OD sure wants me to. In the screenshot you can see that I have "two" Fences ready to install. This is with the Insider Builds option unchecked. That's how I inadvertently installed it in the first place. I just thought it [the first option] was a regular update. It wasn't. I don't know if I am a lone wolf, but I think it might be a good idea to have a look-see.
After the Stardock site came back up, I began having issues again with activation of Fences [all other Stardock software are fine]. On a whim, I uninstalled v/5, rebooted, installed v/6, then followed Post #5 above. Bingo! Thanks.
That's wonderful to hear!
I ended up modifying the security settings for my windows account and set it to full control before i was able to activate Fences 6.
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