WindowBlinds 5.1 released!
More applications supported, wallpaper changer, and more!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Stardock has released a new version of its popular Windows skinning utility, WindowBlinds. WindowBlinds is a program that enables users to completely change the look and feel of the entire Windows user interface -- title bars, push buttons, scrollbars, the Start bar, and more.
WindowBlinds 5.1 includes new wallpaper changing functionality allowing users to provide a series of wallpapers that can change by the time of day or other criteria specified by the user. It also includes months of updates to enable WindowBlinds skins to be more compatible on software that has its own unusual interface controls along with faster performance. WindowBlinds 5.1 works on Windows XP in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
WindowBlinds works by integrating itself seamlessly into Windows XP to add support for thousands of visual styles that are available on the net. Starting with WindowBlinds 5, the program actually can improve overall performance thanks to making use of 3D acceleration on most video cards. Its engine support alpha blending which allows skins to have smooth edges, glass-effects, and other visual improvements. It is the only program of its kind that is certified by Microsoft for use on Windows XP.
WindowBlinds is also used by dozens of companies to create their own custom looks for Windows including Blizzard (World of Warcraft skin), Microsoft, Alienware, ExtremeTech, and more. Users can also create their own skins using Stardock SkinStudio, a free program that provides a host of tools to make skin creation easier.
WindowBlinds 5 recently passed the 11 MILLION download mark on CNET's Download.com and has been the most popular desktop enhancement download on CNET (and elsewhere) for over 50 consecutive weeks.
WindowBlinds 5.1 is available as a free download at http://www.windowblinds.net. Users can upgrade to the enhanced registered version for $19.95 or they can purchase Object Desktop which provides not just WindowBlinds but over two-dozen other popular desktop enhancement such as IconPackager, DesktopX, ObjectBar, WindowFX, and more.
Download:
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/downloads.asp
Screenshots:
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-july06.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-aug06.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-sept06.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-oct06.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-oct06a.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb-nov06.jpg
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Reply #22 Saturday, October 14, 2006 8:22 AM
I explain better : for now all wallpapers are wherever you want in your directories choice. But with a specific WB, i don't think you want necessarly any of these Walls ... but perhaps 1,2,3 ...(up to your choice), 5 of these to be displayed with the WB. Though with this kind of feature (if possible) when you'll apply for example "Argos" WB, there will be just "X" walls of your choice which will be changed ...
Reply #23 Sunday, October 15, 2006 3:18 PM
Reply #24 Sunday, October 15, 2006 5:06 PM
Buttermaker: WB 5.1 is not the same as 5.0. Do you not think users might notice if we claimed a feature that did not exist? Especially when people above in this thread talk about using it!
It sounds like whatever you downloaded was not WB 5.1! The files should be dated October 2006. WB5.0 will be dated November 2005.
You are also aware that standalone purchasers of 5.0 get 5.1?
Reply #25 Sunday, October 15, 2006 8:15 PM
Reply #27 Monday, October 16, 2006 2:07 AM
Reply #28 Monday, October 16, 2006 6:04 AM
Buttermaker: There are always changes when we put out new versions of the software. Just because you have not noticed them does not mean they do not exist. Earlier you said the wallpapers feature does not exist, yet clearly this is wrong (see the Wallpapers option under Per Application in wbconfig)
WB 5.1 has the wallpaper page, the wallpaper changer, the ability to support per pixel graphics on hardware which lacks support (as long as it can do 32 bit colour), performance improvements to skin load and performance improvements in general use. There will also be some bugs fixed.
For a free update to standalone purchasers I do not think that is bad.
Naturally the largest changes happen when the version number changes. This is true with all software.
Sometimes updates have support for new features which require skin support. WB 5.1 supports a blur on the taskbar which 5.0 did not. But you may notice a skin using this and assume that it was a feature originally and so the WB update did nothing.
Just because the UI looks similar, does not mean that work has not been done elsewhere.
Reply #29 Monday, October 16, 2006 6:04 AM
Reply #30 Monday, October 16, 2006 8:46 AM
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Reply #21 Friday, October 13, 2006 1:43 PM