DeskScapes Support FAQ

November 15, 2017 9:53 AM from

How can I get my registration / product key information

Table of contents

Activation Issues and Questions
Please click here

Information and Usage
I purchased Deskscapes but I can't seem to run any dreams but the ones that came with the application.
DeskScapes and codecs
How do I randomize Dreams within DeskScapes 11?
How to make Playlists in DeskScapes 11
How do I make Dreams

Self Support Options
DeskScapes Clean Boot
Test in Windows Sandbox
Purging and re-installing

I purchased DeskScapes but I can't seem to run any dreams but the ones that came with the application.

Stardock does not support skins, themes, docklets, icons, widgets, objects, etc that are created by third-parties. Please contact the author of the item you are having problems with for help and support. Also, if a dream was encoded by an author in an unsupported Windows format you will need to contact that artist or install a codec that will work on Windows.

DeskScapes and codecs

Please see the following for information on codecs if DeskScapes is telling you that you do not have a video codec: https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/faq.asp

If a dream was encoded by an author in an unsupported Windows 8 format you will need to contact that artist or install a codec that will work on Windows 8.

How do I randomize Dreams within DeskScapes 11?

To randomize dreams within DeskScapes 11, right click on the desktop and choose 'Configure DeskScapes'.

Both animated and static wallpapers can be added to playlists. The playlist can then be configured to randomize wallpapers at set intervals

See more about playlists here.

How to make Playlists in DeskScapes 11

When browsing installed wallpapers, you can right-click and select multiple wallpapers which will be indicated by a checkmark. You can then select 'Add to playlist' at the bottom of the configuration windows, and you can add those selected items to a playlist.

You can also go to Playlists in the DeskScapes configuration and create a new playlist from there. You can add entire folders or individual wallpapers or videos to a playlist.

See more about playlists here.

How do I make Dreams?

To make a dream, please run DreamMaker.exe located in the DeskScapes install folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\DeskScapes)

Also see:

How to Create an Animated Wallpaper Using Stardock’s DreamMaker

How to make Dreams with DeskScapes Creator (coming soon).

DeskScapes Clean Boot

Performing a Clean Boot

A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program. This is similar to starting Windows in Safe Mode, but provides you more control over which services and programs run at startup to help you isolate the cause of a problem.

Creating a new Windows Administrator Account

For testing, please create a new Windows Administrator account.

Its important that it is an Adminitrator account to ensure the PC has all associated privilages.

Log in under that account and try. If it fails, and while still under that account, please click the link below for performing a 'clean boot' under it:

Windows Clean Boot Documention

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

Enable Stardock Software

After you've loaded Windows in a clean state, please download this file:

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/DS_Restart.zip

Run the batch file in it to start the DeskScapes service.

Testing DeskScapes in Sandbox

In an effort to create a clean install environment without having to reformat your system, Windows 10 & 11 Pro have a "VM" (Virtual Machine) like feature called Windows Sandbox. This will replicate a freshly installed operating system without any other software installed. This is a great test to see if other programs conflict with Stardock products.

The following guide will walk you through the steps to enable Windows Sandbox:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-overview

After Sandbox is set up, install and activate your Stardock product to see if the issue you are having is also being reproduced in this new environment or if it is working correctly in this mode.

NOTE: If you have a single activation Stardock product, you will be asked if you want to deactivate your other PC to proceed to install it in the Sandbox environment. After finishing the test, you will eventually be asked to activate on your other PC again and can do so.

DeskScapes purging and re-installing

Obtaining the purge file

Please follow this link:

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/DSPurgeNew.zip

Save the file to your downloads folder.

Purging the application

**IMPORTANT** Please save any open documents/work and close out all of your applications including browsers. Your PC may restart after running this .bat file.

Double-click the downloaded purge file and select "Run as Administrator" if you're on Windows 7/8/8.1/10.

For Windows 11, you need to select, ‘Show more options’ to get to the menu.

If you are running Windows 8/10/11, you may be notified that Windows is protecting your PC. Select "More info" and then "Run anyway".

Reboot the computer and reinstall the application. It is important to get the most recent version of the application.

Reinstalling

For trials:

Please ensure you have the most recent trial available:

https://www.stardock.com/products/

For Stardock direct purchases

For getting your product and key, please see the following:

https://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval

For Steam Purchases

Even after using the purge file, you still need to use the 'uninstall' option in the Steam client:

After, re-Install from Steam and Steam only.

Please DO NOT change any of the default settings until you verify that the application is running as expected in its default state.

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