Fences 4 not working correctly on Windows 11

Can't create new shortcuts or move into fence

from Stardock Forums

I recently installed upgraded to Windows 11 (to test my own software).

Having run fences 2 for a long time on Windows 10, I was pleased that my exiting fences showed up fine and allowed most operations.

I then upgraded to fences 4 and sometime later, tried to cut and paste a new desktop icon into an existing fence (like I always did and can still do on another windows 10 machine).

Instead, I got an error that 'The source and destination file names are the same'.

Curious, I tried several different things (existing fence, old fence, etc.) and simply couldn't get it to work. 

 

Next, I created a new fence and did a right mouse click inside it to create a New Shortcut.  After going through the wizard, when I clicked OK, the new shortcut simply went to my desktop -- NOT INTO THE FENCE.

My next experiment was to uninstall fences 4 and reinstall fences 2.  The existing fences were still fine, but still could not put a new shortcut  into a fence.

My conclusion is that Fences is incompatible with Windows 11.

windows 11 stardock software
10,606 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. 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 #2 from Stardock Forums Top


I then upgraded to fences 4 and sometime later, tried to cut and paste a new desktop icon into an existing fence (like I always did and can still do on another windows 10 machine).

Instead, I got an error that 'The source and destination file names are the same'.

Curious, I tried several different things (existing fence, old fence, etc.) and simply couldn't get it to work. 
End of quote

That would indicate that it already existed on the desktop - the exact name you were using.

Next, I created a new fence and did a right mouse click inside it to create a New Shortcut.  After going through the wizard, when I clicked OK, the new shortcut simply went to my desktop -- NOT INTO THE FENCE.
End of quote

That I can reproduce and seems to stem from the Fences not keeping focus when the shortcut dialog is present

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/2022-01-11_12-32-45.mp4

I have created an internal ticket to have it looked at.

Internal ref: FEN-124

Thanks for the report.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

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

Sean,

Your video is precisely the result I'm getting.  

Once that new Icon is on the desktop, you could try to 'cut' the icon and 'paste' it into the fence (which would work on windows 10).  On windows 11, it yields an error.

 

Tom 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting twanat70555, reply 3

Once that new Icon is on the desktop, you could try to 'cut' the icon and 'paste' it into the fence (which would work on windows 10).  On windows 11, it yields an error.
End of twanat70555's quote

Dragging it there would work, however.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Interesting,

I didn't realize that windows 11 once again allows you to drag shortcuts.  I tried it and yes, if you drag and COPY it will go into the fence, however if you drag and MOVE, it will not work.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting twanat70555, reply 5

Interesting,

I didn't realize that windows 11 once again allows you to drag shortcuts.  I tried it and yes, if you drag and COPY it will go into the fence, however if you drag and MOVE, it will not work.
End of twanat70555's quote

Are you right-clicking to drag?  If so, just regular click, hold, drag, drop.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Fences V 4.0.03 - Windows 11 Home 21h2 - Same issue cannot create (or drag, or copy) a new item into an existing Fence.. everything goes to the desktop. Help?

Thanks

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting hac2, reply 7

Fences V 4.0.03 - Windows 11 Home 21h2 - Same issue cannot create (or drag, or copy) a new item into an existing Fence.. everything goes to the desktop. Help?

Thanks
End of hac2's quote

Quoting sdRohan, reply 6

Are you right-clicking to drag?  If so, just regular click, hold, drag, drop.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager
End of sdRohan's quote

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting hac2, reply 7

Fences V 4.0.03 - Windows 11 Home 21h2 - Same issue cannot create (or drag, or copy) a new item into an existing Fence.. everything goes to the desktop. Help?

Thanks
End of hac2's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Check if your Fences is lock. Please unlock and try again.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting hac2, reply 10

A re-install of Fences seems to have fixed it..

Thanks!
End of hac2's quote

Good to know.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Basj,

In your post about unlocking, how did you get that choice.  When I click on the menu then view this is all I get.  I get more choices on a portal fence, but nothing regarding unlock.

I checked and I am running version 4.0.0.3.

With all the latest windows 11 updates here is the status of the issue at least on my machine:

1. left mouse drag                    - works

2. right mouse drag/copy         - works

3. right mouse drag/move        - doesn't work

4. cut from desktop/paste         - doesn't work

5. right mouse new/shortcut     - doesn't work

5. right mouse new/folder         - works

 

Tom Wanat

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting twanat70555, reply 12

In your post about unlocking, how did you get that choice.  When I click on the menu then view this is all I get.  I get more choices on a portal fence, but nothing regarding unlock.
End of twanat70555's quote

It's not a Fences context menu item, it's from the Desktop itself:

This should be the experience with normal click \ drag with icons to and from Fences:

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/2022-01-21_12-50-23.mp4

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Sean,

OK, got the configure part now.

However, the experience is not the same on windows 11 vs 10

                                                  windows 11                               windows 10

1. left mouse drag                    - works                                windows 10 doesn't allow shortcut drag

2. right mouse drag/copy         - works                                              ""

3. right mouse drag/move        - doesn't work                                   ""

4. cut from desktop/paste         - doesn't work                              works

4a copy from desktop/paste     - doesn't work                              works

5. right mouse new/shortcut     - doesn't work                              works

6. right mouse new/folder         - works                                         works

 

Notice that items 4 & 5 are very different.