DesktopX 2.2 arrives: Widgets & Objects & Themes! Oh my!

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

DesktopX is a program that adds all kinds of features to your Windows desktop. And it would take way too long to list down all the incredible things it can do.  So in a nutshell it does 3 things:

1) You can put mini-applications called "Widgets" on your desktop. Think of widgets as being tiny desktop level utilities that don't have the overhead of a standa lone program. And better yet, these widgets can be irregularly shaped and support alpha blended edges.  Windows Media Player could be a DesktopX widget (for instance). Well, except if it were a DestopX widget it could support shadows and alpha blended (no jaggies) on its edges.

Example of DesktopX widgets: Screenshot

2) You can have what amounts to animated icons on your desktop via DesktopX objects.  So when you put your mouse over them, they can animate or they might walk back and forth around your desktop. Or they might play a sound or spin around or do all kinds of other things. 

Example of DesktopX objects in action: Screenshot, Video

3) Building entire desktops. This is where you combine the power of DesktopX objects and widgets to build a whole new shell environment for Windows.

Example of a DesktopX theme in action: Screenshot

There are 3 sections for DesktopX here on WinCustomize. One for objects, one for widgets, and one for themes.

If you've tried DesktopX in the past but don't use it now, try out this new version, it's a whole new ballgame. 

Stardock's new game, The Political Machine, was developed in part with DesktopX 2.2 (this is the game that was featured in Time Magazine last week).  DesktopX has also been seen in various movies providing those fake computer screens. 

DesktopX is part of Stardock's Object Desktop suite of Windows extension utilities. Object Desktop includes WindowBlinds, ObjectBar, IconPackager, Keyboard LaunchPad, IconDeveloper, SkinStudio, DesktopX, and much more.

You can also get DesktopX on its own at http://www.desktopx.net.

See full list of changes here.

16,473 views 43 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've got DX 2.19q[b] downloaded. I've tried upgrading through Stardock Central but they aren't showing any more upgrades available. I've never been the best mathmetician, but in my world 2.19 does not equal 2.2. Is there something I'm missing? (Watch the jokes!)
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Do a refresh in Stardock Central. DesktopX 2.2 is there.
TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I had the same issue as you Donna G until I un-loaded DesktopX then applied the update from Stardock Central. It is now reporting the correct version. Make sure it ask you for a re-boot
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Same here
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK - Working now
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Desktop X 2.20.024! Upgraded automatically using my Stardock Central Tray. After it installed, I get an error message stating that the theme I'm trying to load was "BUILT WITH A NEWER VERSION"!!! What the hell? I had 2.19q (003)and IT had problems but, this is unbelievable!!! 2.20 won't load my previous themes correctly!!!! Guess 2.20.024 really ISN'T the RELEASE version I'M PAYING FOR!!!! They need to FIX this!!!!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also upgrade to 2.20.024. Looks like it is an older version
1. My current theme created in 2.19q seems to come up with a message saying it was created with a higher version.
2. Some of my object which would not run properly under 2.10, but worked under 2.19 do not run any more
3. It does not seem to use the newer version of iconx but seems to run the old built in version.
4. Cannot see the hotkey tabs anymore.

Looks like they have uploaded an older version, even though the about tab says it's v2.2.

Restored my archive of 2.19q and I'm back to normal.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the new version.

I was only running the released version previously, so all I had to do was install the DX-V2.2 from SDCentral and restart, then open SDCentral and click the more button and install IconX, then configure it.

My personal themes designed in non-beta version all transferred without issue, so problems above may be confined to beta version transfer.

Hope this helps in some way.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just checked on this. It's fine here. Check your about dialog. You may need to reboot after installing. I just tried a bunch of themes and it's working fine.


It should be 2.20.024.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
great stuff looks really good...
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Forwarded all calls to the front office, and now playing with DX 2.2! Nice update.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What ? I can have animated icons? Zoomers? with DX?

OMG I just bought OD+ !

hehe just kidding - glad to see 2.2

Now I am waiting for the new Object Bar

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Maggot and department27, I have checked the files on the servers as well as doing both fresh and upgrade installs over 2.10a via Stardock Central. And the files are the new ones for 2.20.


Could you please send me the .\sdcentral\installed\dx.log files so I can try and figure out what's going on with your machines? kwilas at stardock.com


If you remove the DesktopX.exe file manually, SDC should want to download the whole rather than trying to update files.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The refresh in SC worked. Thanks, frogboy!
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I started using 1.9q and realized that IconX was gone so I got IconX now that it is a separate item. I decided to wait till DX 2.2 and loaded it tonight. It reintegrated IconX into it's config settings and wiped out all my IconX settings. Now I can't set any IconX settings without it going back to default. I unloaded DX 2.2 and IconX is independent again and my settings are back??
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool, I'll download it later!
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kris Kwilas, a.k.a. NakorDon't know if problem is solved for sure but, as a precautionary step, I uninstalled DX, rebooted, then re-installed 2.20.024. Noticed on the reinstall that the download was about 1.5 mb larger than the first time when it did the auto upgrade via stardock central control tray. Dunno if that means anything. Anyway, haven't had a chance to see if the themes now work or not but, wanted to let you know what I've done so far. Also, looked at the install\dx file and it SAYs it loaded up 2.20.024 and last entry states: install successful. We'll see I guess.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kris Kwilas. Forgot, will forward you the install\dx file after I try to run DX and my themes again. Also, forgot to mention that after installing DX2.20.024 the SECOND time, I rebooted. Ok, off to give it a try and will be forwarding you email and the attached file ifn necessary. If no word from me, then the uninstall, reboot, re-install, reboot worked I guess. Time will tell, eh?
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok EVERYBODY, or at least anybody who cares. If you're having problems with the "new" 2.20.024, try this, it worked for me. First, move any themes you wanna keep somewhere else on your 'puter. Then, go to Stardock Central and UNINSTALL your current version of DX, no matter what it is I guess. After the uninstall is complete, reboot your machine. After that, go back to Stardock Central, and INSTALL (really a re-install) DX 2.20.024 (file is 11.84mb). After it says it's installed, it will ask "want to run the program now?". Answer no. Close programs and reboot. After you reboot, DX2.20.024 should work, at least it did for me. Oh yea, don't forget to move your "moved" themes back to the DX\themes folder. Hope this helps some of ya. As for the ICONX problems noted above, I can't help, don't use it. Sorry.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
After uninstalling both desktopx and iconx, and deleting hte relavant directories, rebooting and then reinstalling I still had the problem.

Very strange.Did notice that when I looked at the files i.e desktop.exe the time stamp said february 2004. Gave up and went to bed.

Tried again this mornign and it worked. Now have v2.2 working.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All that needs to be done to DX now is to be able to use the show desktop button without it removing all DX content of my screen. Been waiting many years for that feature.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I uninstalled version 2.19 and then tried to download via SDC that new 2.20.024 but everytime coming installation error!!Other updates works ,only desktopX not!
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Like Skryme, I'm also getting an error trying to download via SDC, interestingly it shows 2.20.026, NOT 024:

Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\dx.sdc 0 (attemp: 1, The Url is invalid, code: -14)
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Problems galore with 2.2! Installation fails with dx.sdc 0 (The url is invalid, code:-14). Uninstalled previous version and tried again - same problem. Now I can't even restore archive as it can't find files or being used by another application. Icon X seems to be working OK.