Decor8 and WindowFX beta updates with support for the Windows 8.1 Preview are available for registered users from  http://downloads.stardock.com .   The beta updates can also be downloaded from:   https://www.stardock.cachefly.net/Decor8_1.05_beta_setup_sd.exe https://www.stardock.cachefly.net/WindowFX_5.11_beta_setup_sd.exe   Decor8 on Windows 8.1 Preview can no longer customize the number of rows of Modern Start menu items (support for that has been re...

We have released an update for the WindowBlinds 8 beta (v7.98 in app).  Current customers can download the update from their Stardock accounts or via Stardock Central. If you have been using the free trial, you will need to request a new download link from here . Full changelog can be found here . If you have any issues/feedback to report, please do so in the WB8 beta thread so we may keep track of it.    

SkinStudio 8 Beta (v7.95 in-app) is now available for download for Object Desktop and SkinStudio 7 Pro customers. This is the complement creation component to the WindowBlinds 8 beta. This update include minor fixes.   The SkinStudio beta can be downloaded from your Stardock account or via Stardock Central.  It is available to all WindowBlinds 8 and active Object Desktop owners.   Note: SkinStudio 8 beta supports Windows 7 and 8 only.    

A new month means another new monthly desktop screenshot thread.  We already have a couple of pages of some cool desktop, so be sure to snap one of yours and post. June desktops - https://forums.wincustomize.com/445165/

It’s been a super busy week, and we have a nice long holiday weekend coming up.  We’ve had some great skins come in, so I wanted to take a moment to feature a few.  As always, hit the galleries to see all the other skins that came in that I didn’t have time to feature.   ...

PCPro has a great article up on how to make Windows 8 work on a desktop using Start8 and ModernMix. "In my opinion, the installation of ModernMix and Start8 – once they’re both properly finished – will be compulsory on all future Windows 8 desktops and Ultrabooks/laptops." Read more here - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/realworld/381952/start8-and-modernmix-making-windows-8-work-on-a-desktop

Today we updated your Object Desktop subscription with the WindowBlinds 7.90 beta. Featuring Windows ® 8 / 7 support, an all-new user interface and performance enhancements. Current Object Desktop subscribers Visit your Stardock account now to download the beta and you will also have free access to the final release version in the near future. Note: WindowBlinds 7.90 beta supports Windows 7 and 8 only. Info about upgrades for current WindowBlinds (non-Object Desktop) customers ...

Meridian is another Master skin from essorant that has gone free! Any WindowBlinds user should have this skin. https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/7052/  

Walt Mossbert from the Wall Street Journal takes a look at Windows 8 Start Menu replacements including Stardock’s popular Start8.  “This is a $5 utility I found to be the best I tried at simply restoring the old Start Menu. If the price deters you, there's a 30-day free trial. Start8 comes from a company called Stardock, which makes utilities and games. As soon as I downloaded and installed Start8, the old Start Menu was back.” Read the full review and see the...

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  We’re back to another week and to start off lets take a look at a few skins that came in over the past few days.  

A new beta build for Start8 is available now for download.  This contains a few minor updates. Fixes for inconsistencies with right Windows key handling ( https://forums.stardock.com/443386/page/1/#3348416 ) Resolved blank share with menu and open with menu not showing all the right items (Open With issue) Resolved a problem with jump lists and having a file in the list that was on a network location which was not available Resolved a problem with search where very ...

Lifehacker talks about some great Windows 8 apps, and how ModernMix helps you put them on the desktop! "The great thing about ModernMix is that it opens the door to so many of the awesome Windows 8 apps that are lurking in the WIndows Store to those who prefer using the desktop over the Start Screen." Read more:  http://lifehacker.com/the-best-windows-8-apps-you-can-run-on-your-desktop-477556232  

The DeskScapes gallery on WinCustomize gets a steady flow of submissions each week.  Lots of these are of landscapes and nature, but those also look and work well on the desktop.  I wanted to highlight some recent entries as DeskScapes is an awesome way to put some cool animation on your Windows desktop. DeskScapes animated wallpaper gallery - https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/dream Get DeskScapes - https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/ Recent submi...

Master skinner essorant has been making many of his previous Master WindowBlinds skins free for the community over the past several months.  These are all high-quality skins for WindowBlinds, and if you didn’t purchase them when they were premium skins, there’s no reason not to download them now. Get WindowBlinds here – www.windowblinds.net Here’s a few of the latest. Corsair   Intrada   Jakuta

We’ve had some real nice skins for WindowBlinds come in recently, and I wanted to highlight some in case you didn’t see them in the galleries.  You can view the entire WindowBlinds gallery here, I can’t feature them all here, but there’s always something to find when looking through the latest. Intrada This is a former Master Skin that essorant has released again for free.  I’ve used this skin in the past, and it’s still a great pick.   No...