General WindowsBlinds Questions

from WinCustomize Forums
Ok, so I think I'm going to get WindowsBlinds. It has a large user base, and very cool skins. I have a few questions, however.

First and foremost is: Once you purchase WindowsBlinds, do you automatically get the next version when it comes out for free? For example, if I buy Version 5 now, when Version 6 comes out will I:
1. Get it free as an update
2. Pay a "Upgrade Fee", smaller then the price for the full version
3. Have to buy the new version again by itself.

My second question is: Does WindowsBlinds have a significant performance hit? I've heard that it simply replaces the uxtheme dll file, and as such is nearly as fast as Microsoft's default themes. I would just like to make sure, as I don't want to pay $20 for a bloated program that will slow down my none-too-fast Inspiron 1200 with 768mb of memory to a crawl.

My last question is: after doing a little research, it appears the trial version is almost as good as the full version, and skins everything but the progress bars, scroll bars, and a few other things. However, does the trial expire? I seem to remember the last time I used the trial (which was a while ago), it expired after a certain time period.

Thanks,
-CompFreak247
windowblinds
1,847 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the trial runs about 60 days

from the Sales/FAQ page:


Q: Do I have to pay for updates?

A: Generally not. The Object Desktop Network includes 12 months of updates and new components. Minor version updates to other products (like WindowBlinds) are made available to registered users at no charge. For instance, if you purchased WindowBlinds 1.0 you would have had access to over 6 updates at no charge. Only major version changes (like moving from WindowBlinds 1.x to WindowBlinds 2.0) will have an upgrade charge.


I seem to recall just before WB 5 came out, there was an announcement that anyone who purchased 4.6 after a certain date ( I think it was in Sept) would get a free upgrade to 5


If you check the Purchase Page, there's a link for an upgrade from 4 to 5
Clicking the link there tells me if I want to upgrade to 5 it's $15.00 vs $19.95
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I go no tech knowledge for your 2nd question

but I'm running an HP 2.60Ghz, 512MB of RAM using an NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X and it's been doing all right for 3yrs running WB and some of the other apps
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alright, thanks for the replys about questions 1 and 3. However, I'm still wondering about the performance aspect. When I posted on another forum, a user said:
Windowsblinds does not use any resources. Hasnt since version 5 was released almost a year ago. Upon startup of XP/Vista Windowsblinds now replaces the UXTheme.dll and therefor doesnt use any resources. You only have the icon in the taskbar so that you can have access to the application quickly and easily.
I'd just like someone to verify this, and I'll be ready to buy it
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I seen that said several time - I got's no way to verify

I do know I no running WB anything in taskmanager
and the only time it appears to be using anything is when changing skins or applying changes in the configuration window

i do have an icon
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you purchase WindowsBlinds now, you will get the upgrade to WindowBlinds 6 for free. 

The resource usage is not even an issue, especially with Vista.  On my XP and Vista machines it's using less than 700k of resources.  WindowBlinds doesn't replace your system files, and in many cases is faster than the theme system in Windows. 

You can find more information at these links.

https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/guide.asp
https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/wb5/

 
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Great, thanks a lot everyone who replied. I'm off to buy WindowsBlinds, and hopefully I'll get the upgrade to 6 free. Even if not, I'm sure it'll be worth the $15 upgrade fee, no? Glad to hear that it doesn't use much memory/CPU cycles.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Save your money for a little longer and get objectdesktop instead it's not that much dearer & is worth a dam site more than what it's sold for considering you get icon packager,winfx,theme manager,object bar,right clik,desktopx plus a stack of other stuff including all the tools to make your own blinds,themes,icons etc

As for system performance that will depend on the graphics card if you still have an intergrated type you will need to upgrade to a VGA or PCI.E of around 128mb personally i went to a VGA 256mb graphic card ,basic rule of thumb is always buy more capacity than you need that way you don't fall short later


You must delete the trial version before installing the bought version also run a registry cleaner