I bought three or four copies and did updates but I always run into problems with it disappearing or hanging etc. so I have given up. I use DesktopOK now which is simpler but works well.

I have used Fences for a very long time and it was always my number 1 desktop tidy-up. But there has been a newer version just come out and it is a 30 day trial which then you must pay $9.95 to continue. I was very disappointed because I wasn't warned and the old version needed to be fully uninstalled so that Fences 2 could be put on.

I would like to get back the old version because the changes made are not that special or exciting, just made its original features easier to access and that is all. But still, Fences is a fantastic program and whether paid or unpaid it is worth it.

Fences is an absolute must have app for Windows. It helps you organise your stuff on your desktop into boxes. Now my Desktop actually looks nice and I'm able to keep it clean and lean!

This is a must have program for Windows users. I've been looking for something like this since ever! Simple as it looks it has increased my productivity a lot, now I can organize the files for each of the project I'm running and keep them at the same position even when switching between screen resolutions or between screens when I plug an extra monitor. I can't believe Microsoft never thought of this!!

Thanks em4020, fr pointing me out DesktopOK I will give it a try, the major problems I need addressed is having my icon positions messed over from time to time as I change resolution.

Fences also doesn't show on the running processes list, only the setup gui (50Mb)...

It is a nice design but with limited application since it is based on .net it does take unnecessary resources, it is also slow, slower than the normal system performance.

One feature that is laking is the ability to turn off the "animations", making movements instantaneous in place of the floating feeling it imposes as icons fall in position. Also I use a black background and there is no ability to make the fence boarder show in a different color.

All in all a nice idea that can be hugely improved and optimized.

My reasons to stop using it is that it takes more resources that I think it is worth and because it is slow and lacks the ability to make it more customizable we move from a cloud of icons to ca cloud of fences, and one thing makes me wonder if people have the time to really make use of fences they should have the time to clean up the desktop, probably the pro version with the default fence ability would address that issue but that is not a real solution to bad habits...

PS: It also crashed my machine on the first install

Wow, this is really nice for my general-use workstation, which is littered with desktop icons. It was quick to set up, and just took a little time to sort through all the stuff I had accumulated over the last three years.

I prefer DesktopOK to Fences:
Fences is very good too and able to group the icons with frames=fences. Frames are not possible with DesktopOK, but groups are possible.
DesktopOK cannot group the icons with frames, is more simple, portable, extremely light weighted and uncomplicated.
With DesktopOK I can arrange the icons around a desktop background picture in the centre of the desktop, and can call back the desktop-icons-positions e.g. from the status 3 or 5 days before. You can store up to 32 icon-posittion-sets.

It did wonders for my desktop. Cleaned up all those icons which used to take up at least half of the screen. Super useful especially on Vista and Windows 7 where the icons are bigger.

I used it for several years and installed it on some buddy's PC (note I had to pay $10 for each PC liscense at time)

The problem I have with it is that it set bad practices for file navigation as a whole.

Since I have all of these rules I set up on stardock that don't really reflect what my fileexplorer looks like

This leads to (at least for me) sometimes confusion on how I am navigating through my files / docs on my PC

Also, when stardock fences crashes its always a huge pain in the ### to fix the problem

Personally I suggest using something like directoryopus instead Directory Opus , even though its not same type of app, does similar job

Fences is really unique. None of the listed applications can replace it. It's look is also nice and clean (even in the free version)! Organize your Desktop!

Had it installed on my family members PC and helped do all his IT maintenance over several years

I likes it at first... but now not so much. It doesnt play nice with WIN +D close all programs shortcut. Its also too much maintenance for me. I personally use directoryopus as a complete replacement and much more