WindowBlinds 5.1 released!

More applications supported, wallpaper changer, and more!

http://www.windowblinds.net
from WinCustomize Forums

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

17,115 views 31 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOOT!!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
allowing users to provide a series of wallpapers that can change by the time of day or other criteria specified by the user


Wow! Didn't know that. Will have to go to SDC and see if I'm current. Thanks, Jefe, always something popping around here! Even amidst the GUI Contest and all the new work appearing...and the prizes!! Landmark times at Stardock and WinCustomize
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm... can't see a lot of changes over the previous beta builds... in fact, the wallpaper changing feature still does not work for me.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm... can't see a lot of changes over the previous beta builds... in fact, the wallpaper changing feature still does not work for me


The most current release is usual very similar to the last beta. We test the betas, find and report the bugs. They get fixed and are released.

Sorry to hear about you wall issues. Start a post on the forums . . see if someone can help.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
On SDC changelog did anyone happen to see that it says that 5.1 does not support vista but that the beta for it was starting shortly.

Whoot....can't wait. Bring on the skinning for vista.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Whats the name of the blind in the second screen link?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
#7 by Citizen OFFICA WoD
Wed, October 11, 2006 10:44 PM
Whats the name of the blind in the second screen link?


That would be Ares by MikeB314, in the GUI Championships. --> Link
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Something that did not get mentioned is 5.1 allows you to use per pixel skins on hardware without support for per pixel in a special mode as long as they run in 32 bit colour mode (not 16 or 24 bit colour).

 

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Finally made one that works with x64... Planning on switching to Vista x64 rc2 this week, ah well funny how it works out.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Runs fine by me, even on this rickety, cobbled-up homebrew rig!

WindowBlinds 5.1 System Information Report:

STATUS : WB+ SRV+ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

You have one monitor in total.

(SyncMaster 910MP/199MP,SyncMaster Magic CX912MP) 1 is attached to RADEON X700 Series

Wblind.dll 2006/10/09 10:24:20
Wblind64.dll 2006/10/09 11:51:37
Wbsrv.dll 2006/10/09 10:40:18
Wbconfig.exe 2006/10/10 16:39:13
Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 18:54:14
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:07
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 22:29:06
Tray.dll 2006/04/13 17:29:23

System Memory: 511MB RAMBUS RAM @ 85%
Cpu: P4 1.4 20% - 30%
WIN XP PRO SP2
SB Audigy I 5.1Creative spkrs
ATI X700 PRO 256MB

Go, Stardock and WinCustomize! Anything ever happened to you guys, I'd have to shoot my PC and put it out of my misery. Thanks for everything you do.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That would be Ares by MikeB314, in the GUI Championships. --> Link

Cheers dude. I did look there yesterday, but i dont think i see it........im a cock!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It would be a good thing to bring back features WindowBlinds had (making titlebar buttons like Ontop, rollup or so, and all the ones who where possible and which are no more since the per pixel ability ... ==> same problem for using sounds on buttons ... )
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"Set as Transparent" is one of my favorite choices, only found on a few WB skins, kol's " Fresco", for one. Nice when that's an available option to set "right-click" to, as in "roll-up".
Thanks for reminding me,neophil78.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Been cureous to hear what the real differnce was...Waiting for something big to happen to make me renew my subscription...hint hint stardock..
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can anyone tell me the skins used in the two October shots? Thanks.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nevermind, just figured out what they were (Fortune and Argos premium suites). For some reason I couldn't edit my above post, some access denied error (create an account). o_O
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I really like the wallpaper changer. Mayby in the future the wallpapercganer will switch every 10 seconds with fade in fade out effects. Like MAC Os has!
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I cannot find the option for the wallpaper changer, my version of Windows Blinds is 5 (5.1(Build 81x86)), is the latest version?

cheers

pcblues
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Open the WindowBlinds Configuration screen and click on Wallpapers. Above the wall selections on the right hand side is a circle with a hammer and wrench in it. Click that.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A nice feature for Wallpaper management should be the opportunity to build "lists" of wallpapers to be used with specifics WindowBlinds.
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 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WB 5.1 is NO different than WB 5.0. The wallpaper function is non existant. If you look at the programming tabs for WB, it's exactly identical as previous versions. Sad to say, this is just another way to get more money from the users.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I did download 5.1 because I subscribed to StarDock and it upgraded it to the newest version. I really don't see any difference. For the past few years, they have come up with so many "updated" versions and not very often is there a difference. The last time there was a difference is when 5.0 came out. Before and after that, it was the same. Anything for a buck and to fool the users.