Is Object Desktop a Rental?

Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1728

Object Desktop ia an annual subscription....not unlike any other..eg a Magazine subscription.

In the case of Object Desktop you receive any/all updates for the products for the duration of the sub, and at any time during that sub you can download and thus archive all products included to be used and/or reinstalled etc. for YOUR lifetime, not just that of the subscription....

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Island Dog

Join Date 06/2003

+1046

See here also: https://forums.wincustomize.com/479831

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Thanks guys!

I feel a lot safer now knowing these apps will always be mine even when the subscription fee ends. Because of this, I'm more likely to do business with Stardock and even re-sub next year (As long as It's not like Adobe CC where you get screwed over if you stop paying the subscription fee which is bullshit.)

Anyways, one last concern I have is:

After the subscription service ends, will I still be able to use my product Key in case I need to re-install from my archieve or will I lose my Product Key too?

Also if I can still use my Product Key even after the sub ends, how many times can I use it before having to submit a ticket inconvieniantly to get my products back? I had apperantly activated my icon Packager 5 too much so I had to reset it with support but I like to know I'm not totally screwed in the future if I need to re-activate them everytime something goes wrong with my PC. (Yes I backup my OS with system restore image but I mean if I need to change my motherboard and CPU that method won't work because Windows and other apps think it's a new device when all I did was upgrade it or needed it replaced due to hardware issues)

Thanks!

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Daiwa

Join Date 07/2001

+348

You'll be able to activate them as long as Stardock is still in business, at least, and probably indefinitely - they mean it when they say, "Yours forever."

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Product keys do last forever.

My Stardock page lists a key for Windowblinds 1.3. I haven't had an o/s I could install it on for 15 years!

+1

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Yes, you are free to use the products after your subscription expires, but...

What they're not so quick to point out is that Windows updates can break Stardock products. For instance, the recent Windows 10 Anniversary Update broke Windowblinds. In fact it led to a black desktop screen. There was no obvious sign that it was Windowblinds that caused it and Stardock did not email their customers. There was a Windowblinds update that sorted it, but if your subscription had run out, you had a choice of either not installing a Windows update (good luck doing that with Windows 10) or having to subscribe again.

So it's not quite as simple as is suggested here. When your subscription runs out, you can continue using the software. But if a Windows update breaks something, you may have to pay to fix it. And the different versions of Object Desktop items only apply to the similarly named Windows version. So if you bought Windowblinds 8, you didn't get Windowblinds 10 when it came out. And Windowblinds 8 doesn't work on Windows 10.

So there are those caveats.

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Quoting bodabar,

reply 6

Yes, you are free to use the products after your subscription expires, but...

What they're not so quick to point out is that Windows updates can break Stardock products. For instance, the recent Windows 10 Anniversary Update broke Windowblinds. In fact it led to a black desktop screen. There was no obvious sign that it was Windowblinds that caused it and Stardock did not email their customers. There was a Windowblinds update that sorted it, but if your subscription had run out, you had a choice of either not installing a Windows update (good luck doing that with Windows 10) or having to subscribe again.

So it's not quite as simple as is suggested here. When your subscription runs out, you can continue using the software. But if a Windows update breaks something, you may have to pay to fix it. And the different versions of Object Desktop items only apply to the similarly named Windows version. So if you bought Windowblinds 8, you didn't get Windowblinds 10 when it came out. And Windowblinds 8 doesn't work on Windows 10.

So there are those caveats.

I backup my Windows10 PC using the system image restore. I have an image of the first Windows10 released and an image of the 3rd month Windows10 AU release. (I like to keep both) - If a major update screws my OS due to Windowsblind incompatibility I could easily restore back and Windows10 won't force install update anymore. Further more, I would be more than Happy to re-subscribe to Object Desktop if Stardock continues working on making their products compatible for future windows10 updates as well as adding new features that adds value. A service I'd be glad to pay for. If however, Stardock took the Adobe rout and forced us to subscribe or we lose our apps, that is when my support ends. So far I appreciate and support this business practice Stardock is running plus their software is amazing. So I'll stay with them as long as it remains this way.

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Quoting bodabar,

reply 6

Yes, you are free to use the products after your subscription expires, but...

What they're not so quick to point out is that Windows updates can break Stardock products. For instance, the recent Windows 10 Anniversary Update broke Windowblinds. In fact it led to a black desktop screen. There was no obvious sign that it was Windowblinds that caused it and Stardock did not email their customers. There was a Windowblinds update that sorted it, but if your subscription had run out, you had a choice of either not installing a Windows update (good luck doing that with Windows 10) or having to subscribe again.

So it's not quite as simple as is suggested here. When your subscription runs out, you can continue using the software. But if a Windows update breaks something, you may have to pay to fix it. And the different versions of Object Desktop items only apply to the similarly named Windows version. So if you bought Windowblinds 8, you didn't get Windowblinds 10 when it came out. And Windowblinds 8 doesn't work on Windows 10.

So there are those caveats.

It is worth noting that the update for WindowBlinds was released considerably in advance of the Windows update release and WindowBlinds should have prompted for updates as usual. It is also exceptionally unusual for that to happen and Microsoft made a very last minute (absurdly late in my opinion) change to something.

I should also point out that no matter how you purchase software, if it gets broken by an OS update then you may have to upgrade if you wish to continue to use an app. This is true if it is your AV app or a Stardock app.

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DaveBax

Join Date 10/2007

+629

Quoting AzimaEntertainment,

reply 7

What they're not so quick to point out is that Windows updates can break Stardock products. For instance, the recent Windows 10 Anniversary Update broke Windowblinds. In fact it led to a black desktop screen. There was no obvious sign that it was Windowblinds that caused it and Stardock did not email their customers

Actually we may never know why some people had problems with the Anniversary update. Myself and several people I talked to had no problem with the Anniversary update and any Stardock products. So there is some other reason there was a Windowblind problem on some Computers and not others. After 10 years here it still amazes me how much attention Stardock pays to comments about something not working with a certain software product. You don't find that very often with any other product.

Would like to point out the Object Desktop renewal price. As long as one renews before the sub runs out the price is discounted. One could actually add another years on anytime as long as they had at least one day left on their sub. Can also be done with 200 days or what ever number left. The price now and has been for quite some time for the renewal is $29.99. Now bad for all you receive.

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I should also point out that no matter how you purchase software, if it gets broken by an OS update then you may have to upgrade if you wish to continue to use an app. This is true if it is your AV app or a Stardock app.

This is exactly why the Stardock subscription model works well for me. No matter what Microsoft changes my OD programs will be updated.

After 10 years here it still amazes me how much attention Stardock pays to comments about something not working with a certain software product. You don't find that very often with any other product.

That is so true. They do listen - not many software companies do that.

+1

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Is Object Desktop a Rental?

Object Desktop - Expires in 365 days