WindowBlinds 11 planning
Friday, December 25, 2020 by Frogboy | Discussion: WindowBlinds
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?
Reply #422 Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:45 AM
Naroon-
WindowBlinds 11 could still be right behind Start 11. Start 11 still isn't finished, the taskbar is going to receive an overhaul and I bet that WindowBlinds 11 will use that. Kind of like how uxthemepatcher uses "startisback" to get their themes running on windows 11.
Right now some of the best customization for windows 11 is actually the tiles / icons for the latest build of Start 11. I find the new custom images a must have and I really hope windowblinds 11 accommodates windows 10 / 11 themes for that reason. It does provide a nice distraction while we wait...
Speaking of which wincustomize could probably create more traffic in the short term if it advertised itself as a platform for custom tiles / icons specifically for start 11. It could feed some starving artists
I would be very surprised if WB11 was right after Start11 v2, enough members have commented in this topic about the lack of updates even about a WB11 Beta. Noticed in other topics too about new staff for the company slowing down things (things not connected Directly to WB), but things like Masterskinners waiting too long for there latest skins to be processed before we seen them in the listings.
Never say never, as stranger things have happened, just not getting the Vibe WB11 has moved up the priority list.
Reply #423 Thursday, January 27, 2022 5:49 PM
Here is the buried list from the CEO. I fixed the typo to prevent confusion
- Start11 (next weekish)
- Fences 4 (October)
- DeskScapes 11 (Fall)
- Groupy 2.0 (Fall)
- WindowBlinds 11 (2022*)
- SkinStudio 11 (2022*)
1. Looks like it has gone over schedule, I myself am part of the crowd that complained that start 11 needed to fix the taskbar so this is actually satisfying a lot of people with a very big complaint.
2. Completed
3. In Beta
4. (Behind schedule) My Guess is it will be started once Deskscapes is completed
5 (On schedule) My guess is this is Neil's brain child so logically I would guess it's production will start when his team finishes Start 11
6. (On Schedule) Very needed in my opinion, I opened skinstudio 10 on windows 11 and did not find it intuitive.
Reply #424 Friday, January 28, 2022 9:33 AM
Here is the buried list from the CEO. I fixed the typo to prevent confusion
- Start11 (next weekish)
- Fences 4 (October)
- DeskScapes 11 (Fall)
- Groupy 2.0 (Fall)
- WindowBlinds 11 (2022*)
- SkinStudio 11 (2022*)
1. Looks like it has gone over schedule, I myself am part of the crowd that complained that start 11 needed to fix the taskbar so this is actually satisfying a lot of people with a very big complaint.
2. Completed
3. In Beta
4. (Behind schedule) My Guess is it will be started once Deskscapes is completed
5 (On schedule) My guess is this is Neil's brain child so logically I would guess it's production will start when his team finishes Start 11
6. (On Schedule) Very needed in my opinion, I opened skinstudio 10 on windows 11 and did not find it intuitive.
WB11 being 2022, there are still plenty of weeks and months still left in 2022, based on the way things have stalled for WB11, it would not surprise me if we see nothing for most of this year. Even if it hits in November, 2022 would still be 2022 and still far too late for many. It is what it is, i just hope when it does land , the wait is worth it and it blows our socks off. After falling behind other market customizing Programs, it has too.
Reply #425 Sunday, January 30, 2022 12:46 AM
Noticed in other topics too about new staff for the company slowing down things
Where I am at that is a problem most places could only dream of having. Restaurants / stores have very odd and unpredictable hours, schools are closing for extra days, public bus routs are being cut... All because no one wants to work where other people are located ever since the shutdown of 2020.
Reply #426 Sunday, January 30, 2022 11:17 AM
Noticed in other topics too about new staff for the company slowing down things
Where I am at that is a problem most places could only dream of having. Restaurants / stores have very odd and unpredictable hours, schools are closing for extra days, public bus routs are being cut... All because no one wants to work where other people are located ever since the shutdown of 2020.
Covid has changed our world, possibly forever, some peeps found there employ very different than pre Covid, many moving to a home environment. Others became busier than ever like Key Workers, although i am not considered a Key Worker, the industry i work in was one of those that became far busier with more people at home only increasing the workload and numbers using there computers more.
My Industry exploded overnight, going from "A steady in the week , but busier at weekends" type of thing, to a new normal of being busy almost every day of the week. Personally during this whole time, i have worked almost everyday, only taking time off to attend Funerals for members of my family who were hit hard by Covid and lost all. I understand the new norm better than some, we all are needing replacement staff as no Industry has been immune to Covid and it's effects.
Reply #427 Monday, January 31, 2022 6:52 PM
Went back to Win10... 11 is absolute garbage, broken ugly bug infested junk, bit like Win10 really... only worse in every way
Reply #428 Monday, January 31, 2022 8:20 PM
Went back to Win10... 11 is absolute garbage, broken ugly bug infested junk, bit like Win10 really... only worse in every way
Reply #429 Monday, January 31, 2022 8:23 PM
I was mainly saying it is Win11 that is ugly.... Win10 isn't as bad as you can still customize it somewhat with third party software.... unlike Win11 which is just awful.
Reply #430 Monday, January 31, 2022 8:57 PM
I actually like the look of windows 11 over windows 10 in general. There are only two elements that I find lacking in Windows 11 due to their weirdnes, and that is the start menu and the taskbar.
As far as Windowblinds 11 is concerned I think it should be built around start 11. I would much prefer using a skinned Windows 10 / 11 theme along with a newly built taskbar that includes never combined tabs. From my experience using explorerpatcher I can confirm the taskbar still looks good on a Windows 11 device using windowblinds 10. There shouldn't be too much change here as far as how the takbar will look skinned from windowblinds 10 to 11
Other than that, I prefer having things like the command bar skinned rather then using the silly ribbon menu. I also like the rounded corners and other program layouts. I dont think I would want those modified too much which means windowblinds 11 should alter the skinned look a bit here over what we had for windowblinds 10
I actually dislike bringing back windows 10's explorer in windows 11 with explorerpatcher to get windowblinds 10 working on it because I like Windows 11's soo much better.
That is my 2 cents in what I want in windowblinds 11.
Reply #431 Tuesday, February 1, 2022 10:02 AM
Before i skinned or used a theme to change Win11, i considered it Boring to look at, but have thought the same of older OSs too. Can not say my experience is the same as Koogle, for me it is a tool i need to work with, so i do as much as i can to make Win11 suit me, once i get it looking good and in the way i have before with older OSs, i can sometimes forget what OS i am using until i see the Settings window.
Every OS for years now has divided peeps, Win11 is no different, but i and others see it as the future, whilst others choose to remain with older systems, as long as we all get online safely , and that is another story completely, sooner or later the market share for Win11 will steadily grow as more and more users are upgraded. At some point we will all need to try it and work within it.
Hopefully WB11 will be with us later this year, at least then it can look better, hopefully using skins we all love.
Koogle, read back into this topic, it is now possible to change the look of Win 11 using WB10, it works, is very stable, but does have a small issue with transparency, but this option can help you with how "Ugly" you find Win11 using your most used and favourite Windowblinds.
Reply #432 Tuesday, February 1, 2022 6:59 PM
Every OS for years now has divided peeps, Win11 is no different
Anyone on Windows 11 is still considered ahead of the curve. I think our group size is somewhere between 10 percent and 16 percent right now. So basically all the cool kids are using Windows 10 right now because it is the most popular at the moment. That is ok though... I am sure eventually some of the staunch none Windows 11 peeps will cross over
All fun aside, there are reasons for the division. I honestly believe it is mostly in the area of start menu and taskbar, along with the system requirements. These facts usually do not take into consideration all the good things Windows 11 is doing. WindowBlinds 11 absolutely needs to be built around Windows 11 strengths as it hides its weaknesses.
Reply #433 Wednesday, February 2, 2022 11:20 AM
Every OS for years now has divided peeps, Win11 is no different
Anyone on Windows 11 is still considered ahead of the curve. I think our group size is somewhere between 10 percent and 16 percent right now. So basically all the cool kids are using Windows 10 right now because it is the most popular at the moment. That is ok though... I am sure eventually some of the staunch none Windows 11 peeps will cross over
All fun aside, there are reasons for the division. I honestly believe it is mostly in the area of start menu and taskbar, along with the system requirements. These facts usually do not take into consideration all the good things Windows 11 is doing. WindowBlinds 11 absolutely needs to be built around Windows 11 strengths as it hides its weaknesses.
I will take "Ahead Of The Curve" PhoenixRising1, not sure about "The Cool Kids" though, for me, and i can only speak for myself, have Found Win11 to be Stable, not come upon any major , or minor bugs that have effected me in how i use Win11.
As you know i had no choice with the migration due to work, but i do listen to others who have Hands on Hours with this OS, prompting me to pull my Win 10 SSD out of my desk drawer and install it on a Multi Booting 4 SSD System (just To Be Sure) should i need to go back to it. I have gone back to it, but not through issues with my 3 Win11 SSDs, but more to test out all those masterskins i installed once and changed for what i use the most, forgetting how many i had.
I have still used Win 11 Daily and considering all other peeps opinions will stick with it, as for me, I have had No Issues to make me change my mind.
I am looking Forward to WB11, i have always loved new Editions of Software as usually they bring in new and interesting things to play with, Win 11 market share will increase, of this i am sure, not a betting man but would back it in the long term as other older OSs will become unsafe to use for many but not all. I do like some of the new things in Win11 and hope WB11 will rise again bigger and better than before, just not sure when in 2020.
Reply #434 Wednesday, February 2, 2022 12:45 PM
The cool kids part was supposed to be a joke because most people are still on Windows 10. However, Windows 11 market shares have grown. It is at 10 - 16 percent. I think they are claiming 16 percent now. So it is climbing at a steady rate. Sun Valley 2 may be the update a lot of people are waiting for as well. To some people after this update drops it may feel like Windows 11 is finally going out of Beta since this is where major complaints are finally being addressed. If anyone says Windows 11 was taken out of Beta too soon I will agree 100 percent. Windows 10 was similar where it launched as a work in progress and eventually became a well ironed out OS, it just takes time.
Being an early adapter of Windows 11 has forced me to use things like explorerpatcher. All that program does is allow people to take part of Windows 10 with them to Windows 11. When Windows 11 is really done I do not think I will need to use it anymore. So, even I am not on Windows 11 100 percent yet.
Reply #435 Wednesday, February 2, 2022 1:17 PM
I suffer from eyestrain and I love Windowblinds' ability to reduce eyestrain by softening the bright whites. I saw someone mention how it affects apps like Excel, but I love the fact that I can change the default background color in Excel spreadsheets. Below, you can see how I modified the "Modern" theme to suit my taste:

Thank you to the devs for making this possible, and please keep people like me in mind during future devleopment!
Regards,
--Lenny
Reply #436 Friday, February 4, 2022 11:49 AM
The cool kids part was supposed to be a joke because most people are still on Windows 10.
I took it as such PhoenixRising1.
As we are using both Win10 and Win11, we must be Uber Cool then mate and that is good too, cool for having Win10, and Ahead Of The Curve for using Win11 daily.
Reply #437 Thursday, February 10, 2022 7:42 PM
Considering how long Windowblinds has been around perhaps Microsoft should cut Stardock some slack and send them some code they can include so the application that has been purchased worldwide by many users works as it always was intended.
What would I like to see? That. Simply, that MS comes to the party and helps their third-party developers and users, remembering that they serve the clients who buy their products, not the other way around. They are the vendor, not GOD.
Reply #438 Thursday, February 10, 2022 7:59 PM
Considering how long Windowblinds has been around perhaps Microsoft should cut Stardock some slack and send them some code they can include so the application that has been purchased worldwide by many users works as it always was intended.
What would I like to see? That. Simply, that MS comes to the party and helps their third-party developers and users, remembering that they serve the clients who buy their products, not the other way around. They are the vendor, not GOD.
That's the truth. A good operating system should make things easy to mod. Windows 11 really does benefit from having Stardock products. Having things like an alternative start menu and changeable skin absolutely draws people Windows 11, there is a group of people that probably wouldn't even be using Windows 11 at the moment if it weren't for things like start 11. A really good Windows operating system would fully embrace that idea.
Reply #439 Thursday, February 10, 2022 8:46 PM
im not even upgrading to windows 11 on any of my pc's untill windowblinds comes out for it..
Reply #440 Thursday, February 10, 2022 10:24 PM
Just wondering if older skins will work with win11? I have a windowblinds skin that worked on WB10
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Reply #421 Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:51 PM
Naroon-
WindowBlinds 11 could still be right behind Start 11. Start 11 still isn't finished, the taskbar is going to receive an overhaul and I bet that WindowBlinds 11 will use that. Kind of like how uxthemepatcher uses "startisback" to get their themes running on windows 11.
Right now some of the best customization for windows 11 is actually the tiles / icons for the latest build of Start 11. I find the new custom images a must have and I really hope windowblinds 11 accommodates windows 10 / 11 themes for that reason. It does provide a nice distraction while we wait...
Speaking of which wincustomize could probably create more traffic in the short term if it advertised itself as a platform for custom tiles / icons specifically for start 11. It could feed some starving artists