Fences 6.52 Beta Feedback

from Stardock Forums

 

With the Fences 6.52 beta release, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining Object Desktop Insider Builds

Object Desktop Manager

Object Desktop members can get beta and Insider builds from within Object Desktop Manager with 'Enable Object Desktop Insider builds' enabled:

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Stardock Download Page

Or via their download page in the ‘Object Desktop Insider’ section

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Obtaining Beta Releases

Stardock.com

If a beta was released, Object Desktop Members would see it in the ‘Object Desktop’ section.

Individual purchases would see it on their registration of the product under their download page.

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Steam

  • Right-click the Product in Steam

  • Properties

  • Betas

  • Select the beta branch at the top right (there is no password)

Example

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/steamwebhelper_2024-02-19_17-44-35.png

Reporting an issue

Please include the following for anything found:

  • Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)

  • Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen

  • Screenshots and videos are very helpful.  Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post.  Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.

  • If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Fences 6 a better product.

Stardock Stardock Software Fences
1,522 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Date

7/22/2026

Version

6.5.2.7 (6.52)

Changes

  • Fixed issue with accidental icon selection.

  • Fixed overlapping icon spacing issue when icons are in "Large" mode.

  • Improvements in DPI-change handling, especially when combined with resolution changes.

  • Continued improvement of handling of DPI changes during monitor sleeps.

Date

6/04/2026

Version

6.4.8.2 (6.48)

Changes

  • Fixed: Right clicking desktop could cause icons to shuffle temporarily when icon position animation is enabled.

 

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Known issues

While we appreciate all feedback, please remember that we offer no official support for beta \ preview \ developer channel versions of Windows. If you report issues while in any of those early release channels, you should not expect them to be addressed unless it still exists in a retail version of Windows.

DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Drop this here as been debug for a couple of days on it. 

Same as info in Discord.. 

  1. Had Codex working on it.
  2. Start11 and Fences both modify Explorer to customise the Windows shell: Start11 injects Start10_64.dll into Explorer for Start menu/taskbar behaviour.
  3.  
  4. Fences injects FencesMenu64.dll and DesktopDock64.dll into the same Explorer process to manage desktop icons and clicks.
  5.  
  6. On this Windows 25H2 build, the two hooks are conflicting.
  7.  
  8. Once Start11_64.exe starts, it causes/permits Fences’ desktop hook to load into Explorer. That hook then intercepts icon clicks but fails to pass the launch action back to Windows—so you see a small Start-style popup rather than the app opening.
  9.  
  10. Why it kept returning: Stopping Fences alone didn’t help because Start11’s still-running user-session process could load the Fences hook again.
  11.  
  12. Removing Fences’ ordinary registrations didn’t help because Start11 was injecting the components directly into Explorer.
  13.  
  14. Stopping the Start11 service initially wasn’t enough because Start11_64.exe had already been launched and remained active.
  15.  
  16. The stable state is: Start11 service disabled, Start11_64.exe stopped, Explorer restarted. With no Stardock DLLs in Explorer, normal desktop click handling returns.
  17.  
  18. outcome.. Fences works as it should.. Start11 stays off until a patch comes through.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894; Fences 6.5.2.7

If I install and run Fences in a Sandbox by itself it works as expected.

After closing the Sandbox, if I install Fences and run with DeskScapes 26.0.1.1 disabled, it works as expected.

If I then enable DeskScapes 26.0.1.1 (with a Fence on the Desktop), the desktop background flashes from bright to dim with an Explorer window open, and flashes between the desktop background and totally black desktop background when manipulating a Fence.

Very strange compatibility issue with DeskScapes 26.0.1.1 🙁

EDIT: Performed a purge and reinstall fresh download of DeskScapes, turned off Desktop Effects for Info Panel and Entire Desktop - Darken. I then installed a fresh download of Fences and Restarted the computer. Created a Fence Portal, and everything was working as expected. Turned on Info Panel, and everything was working as expected. Turned on Entire Desktop - Darken, and the issue started again. Turned it back off, and and everything was working as expected. Turned on a different Entire Desktop - Heat Haze, and and and everything was working as expected. Changed back to Entire Desktop - Darken, and and everything was working as expected.

I haven't tested to see if survives a restart yet.

Additional Edit: It has survived an Explorer restart and a computer restart. 

P.S. I'm still experiencing the issue of the DeskScapes not surviving an Explorer restart.
https://forums.stardock.com/541720/deskscapes-2026-doesnt-survive-explorer-restart/page/1#3994744