Bunch of small questions before purchase

from Stardock Forums

Hi everyone !

With my girlfriend we heard about Fence, and then saw Object Desktop, which sounds really attractive, especially because we just replaced one of our two computers with one under Win10.

But we have some questions before buying, we tried to look for informations but still aren't sure and so we prefer to ask :)

 

1) We have two computers that we both use (and usually use them very often simultaneously) : can we install the softwares in both computers ? And use them simultaneously ? (Asking this questions because "An Individual User may install, use and activate one (1) copy of the Software on up to five (5) unique personal computers simultaneously that are owned by you for your personal use." Well, we're two using the two home computers that we both of two own :P) And this, for all the softwares ? (excepted Multiplicity, we saw in FAQ it's only for one comp')

2) Can you back up the installers ? Are there any kind of DRM ? We're always afraid of a hard drive dying.

3) Can you reinstall the softwares in a new computer ? (we will certainly change one of our computer in 1-2 years)

4) "Object Desktop manager for automatic installs and updates for one year" "Access updates and betas for included software for one year" Okay, but what happens after ? Can you still update Object Desktop manually ?...

5) ... and can you update the included softwares if there are new updates available after this year ?

5) This thread is a bit confusing for us : so if we understand well, when we buy Object Desktop, we get one serial key to activate it. But this key can activate too all the softwares included in Object Desktop separately. So even after this year, we still will be able to reinstall and update all the included software, if we install and update each of them separately and manually ?

6) All the applications included with Object Desktop can be installed separately ?

7) Is it easy to get the separated installers of each software ?

8) Will softwares supported on Win10 be always updated to be compatible with Win10 ? (we're afraid of possible Win10 updates who may break compatibility with a software like Fences, WindowBlinds or Groupy.

 

Sorry for all this questions, but the prefer to have clear answers before buying :)

Thank you in advance for any precision/help ! 

 

15,122 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top


1) We have two computers that we both use (and usually use them very often simultaneously) : can we install the softwares in both computers ? And use them simultaneously ? (Asking this questions because "An Individual User may install, use and activate one (1) copy of the Software on up to five (5) unique personal computers simultaneously that are owned by you for your personal use." Well, we're two using the two home computers that we both of two own ) And this, for all the softwares ? (excepted Multiplicity, we saw in FAQ it's only for one comp')
End of quote

Yes you can use on both computers

Stardock Software Eula https://www.stardock.com/support/software-eula

 

2) Can you back up the installers ? Are there any kind of DRM ? We're always afraid of a hard drive dying.
End of quote

Yes just backup your installation downloads on a seperate drive external or USB for safe keeping.


3) Can you reinstall the softwares in a new computer ? (we will certainly change one of our computer in 1-2 years)
End of quote

Yes just stay current on your Stardock account **** and always remember the email address you used for your original orders.


4) "Object Desktop manager for automatic installs and updates for one year" "Access updates and betas for included software for one year" Okay, but what happens after ? Can you still update Object Desktop manually ?...
End of quote

Object Desktop is a Yearly Renewal offered usually at a Discount price for current members .


5) ... and can you update the included softwares if there are new updates available after this year ?
End of quote

If you stay current with your account ( don't let it lapse ) you will receive all updates for the included apps .


5) This thread is a bit confusing for us : so if we understand well, when we buy Object Desktop, we get one serial key to activate it. But this key can activate too all the softwares included in Object Desktop separately. So even after this year, we still will be able to reinstall and update all the included software, if we install and update each of them separately and manually ?
End of quote

With Object Desktop you have to keep it current that is to renew it when its time .


6) All the applications included with Object Desktop can be installed separately ?
End of quote

Yes all installs are separate installs ... Once you buy Object Desktop just log into your account

and go to " My Downloads " https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products/

( view individual downloads ) and install whatever apps you want .


7) Is it easy to get the separated installers of each software ?
End of quote

With Object Desktop all your installers are there in your " My Downloads "

just keep your account current , as I said before.

If you want to buy any of the apps separate and not do Object Desktop you can

do that too just save your original downloaded installer and key as a backup

for safe keeping and they can be reinstalled at any time without a renewal .

Buying a single app at a time instead of a group in OD gives your lifetime use

without renewal . But that option will cost you more doing it that way.

Now as Windows changes versions sometime your version of an app will not work

anymore and you would have to buy an upgraded version that will work often offered

at a discount price.


8) Will softwares supported on Win10 be always updated to be compatible with Win10 ? (we're afraid of possible Win10 updates who may break compatibility with a software like Fences, WindowBlinds or Groupy.
End of quote

Stardock support team stays on top of the ever changing Windows versions as fast as they can

some updates for a fix to a windows update might take longer than others but do get updated.

We have million of members taking advantage of the Object Desktop app , me included.

It's a Great package on " Sale " today https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/download

 

AzDude 

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

First, thank you very much for your very fast & detailed answer :) (and patience)

 

Quoting AzDude, reply 1

If you stay current with your account ( don't let it lapse ) you will receive all updates for the included apps .
End of AzDude's quote

Quoting AzDude, reply 1

Buying a single app at a time instead of a group in OD gives your lifetime use without renewal .
End of AzDude's quote

"If you stay current with your account " and "just keep your account current". What does that means exactly ?(sorry if I'm sometimes misunderstanding, English isn't my native language)

Renew the license of Object Desktop = keeping account current ? Or is it something else and I misunderstood ?

 

So.... that means that you can't update your separated softwares if you don't have an "active" license of Object Desktop if I understood well ?

For example, if I install only Fences or WindowBlinds with my serial of Object Desktop (but not OD), then I won't be able to have the updates for them anymore when my OD license will expire, even if I have a serial for them ?

But I still will be able to use/reinstall my outdated version ?

 

In opposite to the situation where you buy a license for each application you want, in that case you'll always be able to update them ?

Have I understood correctly ?

 

Quoting AzDude, reply 1

Now as Windows changes versions sometime your version of an app will not work anymore and you would have to buy an upgraded version that will work often offered at a discount price.
End of AzDude's quote

Quoting AzDude, reply 1

We have million of members taking advantage of the Object Desktop app , me included.
It's a Great package on " Sale " today
End of AzDude's quote

It sounds really like a great package (really), but we are often low on money and for now we can't afford a license that we would have to renew regularly.

And we're afraid of windows 10 updates who may break things so we'll certainly need to be able to update the applications :/

 

Additional questions :

- What happens if you didn't renew OD ? Can you still "renew" it after a "gap" were you didn't had a valid license ?

- If we buy only a "Fences" license we will get ALL updates, always ? And if there is a Fence 4, will we get the new "version" for free ?

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

Hello,

Simple Answers .

If you own OD ( Object Desktop ) you receive all new updates for the included apps

and are able to do new installs.

If you let OD expire ( requires yearly renew ) no updates to software and no new

installed with an expired lic.( key).

If you buy a separate app and lic. you can use that version for as long as it works

with Windows versions. If Windows requires a newer version to work you would 

have to buy an upgrade for that app.( Remember to save your original install software )

If you let OD expire and renew at a later time you will receive a new key for activations.

 

Sometimes Window updates will effect an app requiring a fix to be made nothing we can 

do about that , when a fix is ready your software will update in OD.

 

* If you are running short on Money , you do what's best for you.

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting AzDude, reply 3

If you buy a separate app and lic. you can use that version for as long as it works with Windows versions. If Windows requires a newer version to work you would have to buy an upgrade for that app.
End of AzDude's quote

I'm a bit confused again.

Let's take a simple example, let's imagine that I buy only the Fences application. You mean that even if I buy "fully" this application, I won't get the future updates for it ? If suddenly a Windows 10 update "breaks" Fences 3 compatibility, there would be the need to buy something again ?

Or you're talking about "big" new version (like from Fences 3 to Fences 4) and/or future windows OS ?

Quoting AzDude, reply 3

* If you are running short on Money , you do what's best for you.
End of AzDude's quote

Thanks for understanding :) And in fact, we only really "need" Fences and WindowBlinds. Maybe Groupy and IconPackager but that's not even necessary.

Are there sometime sales on this individual applications by any chances ?

 

We would like to thank you again for your help, you were really helpful and almost everything is clear now thanks to you !

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Splatsch, reply 4

I'm a bit confused again.

Let's take a simple example, let's imagine that I buy only the Fences application. You mean that even if I buy "fully" this application, I won't get the future updates for it ? If suddenly a Windows 10 update "breaks" Fences 3 compatibility, there would be the need to buy something again ?

Or you're talking about "big" new version (like from Fences 3 to Fences 4) and/or future windows OS ?
End of Splatsch's quote

If you buy Fences 3 you will get updates for it .

if they come out with Fences 4 then you would have to pay for an upgrade 

often you get a discount upgrade price.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hello,

Just to add some more information:

What is Object Desktop:
https://forums.stardock.com/486310/object-desktop-support-faq#objectdesktop

For any app that you individually buy:
Once you purchase an individual product, it is a one time purchase and yours for life.

Incremental upgrades (1.1, 1.2, etc) are offered with most Stardock software at no charge. Version upgrades (1,2,3) are usually paid upgrades.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting AzDude, reply 5

If you buy Fences 3 you will get updates for it .

if they come out with Fences 4 then you would have to pay for an upgrade 

often you get a discount upgrade price.
End of AzDude's quote

Quoting sdRohan, reply 6

Hello,

Just to add some more information:

What is Object Desktop:
https://forums.stardock.com/486310/object-desktop-support-faq#objectdesktop

For any app that you individually buy:
Once you purchase an individual product, it is a one time purchase and yours for life.

Incremental upgrades (1.1, 1.2, etc) are offered with most Stardock software at no charge. Version upgrades (1,2,3) are usually paid upgrades.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager
End of sdRohan's quote

 

Everything is clear now :)

The FAQ explained very well things too. Sorry we didn't saw it earlier, it would have directly answered several questions... If I could have a suggestion, it would be to put a direct link to it from the Desktop Object product page ;)

Now it's time for us to think at what we'll do/buy.

Thank you very much for your help AzDude & sdRohan ! And it's nice to see that if we have questions/issues, there are people around here ready to help :)

 

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Glad we could help clear things up for you .

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant