Fences not working

from Stardock Forums

Hi there,

I've just bought a new laptop for uni, a Lenovo running Win10 Ver 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1237). I've installed fences, and it is only able to put the three fences on the desktop during the initial "Start using fences!". If I try adding new fences, I cannot. I can't open up Configure Fences or the Fences settings either. No error appears. The Fences.exe "Fences Settings" is running as a background process.

I have run the Purge Fences utility, restarted, reinstalled using the download link for my purchased licence. I'm at a dead end on what to do.

2,820 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

I'll also note that there are two instances of Stardock Settings under the Start-up Apps, I've tried disabling each one individually to see if one was interfering with the other but that didn't help.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need more information on your system.

  1. Fences installed version.
  2. Do you have 360 Total Security installed? if not do let us know what AV or security software you have installed.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting _agua, reply 1

I'll also note that there are two instances of Stardock Settings under the Start-up Apps, I've tried disabling each one individually to see if one was interfering with the other but that didn't help.
End of _agua's quote

Fences need those two instances to work properly.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi, thanks for your response. I've enabled both Settings instances under start-up apps.

I don't have 360, uninstalled all McAffee shenanigans and am only running Malwarebytes which is currently under the free premium trial period and the native Windows Defender.

Fences version is 3.13.

I've also just discovered if I try moving new icons into any of the three initial Fences that appear after installation the icon seems to ignore them and go onto the desktop "behind" the fence.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Please refer to this thread : https://forums.stardock.com/494957. Although, the issue was with 360 total Security. It might also something that other 3rd party implement. Try look for it and disable it. If all fail, you could try Cleanboot and see it that help : https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#cleanboot

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi there, I have no other 3rd party desktop organiser utility installed, no wallpaper engines etc. As stated, I've already followed the instructions on the purge page and to no avail. The thread you linked me to does seem to have a similar problem to me. Fences aren't locked and I've only used the native Windows updater to install drivers etc. I've marked both the Fences folder and the Fences.exe as "Allowed" via Malwarebytes and that didn't help, and even temporarily closed Malwarebytes which also didn't help.

List of installed programs since the fresh OS install are as follows:
7-zip 19.00
Discord 0.0.310
Dropbox 131.4.3968
Malwarebytes 4.4.6.132
Firefox 92.0
MusicBee 3.3.7491
qBittorrent 4.3.8
Signal 5.17.1
Steam 2.10.91.91

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I did not ask you to try purge and reinstall steps. Instead I suggest you to try cleanboot. Have you try that too?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Sorry I wasn't clear. I have followed the instructions on the entire page. I have created a cleanboot state and continued to encounter the problem I have outlined above.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

If at all possible, please uninstall Malwarebytes, reboot, and try again.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager