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Fences is an app that allows you to organize your desktop icons into categories to un-clutter your workspace. The latest version, Fences 2.0, adds new features to help you get and stay organized even faster.
The interface of the newer version is much like before. The fences look the same - they're clean and blend well, and you can adjust the transparency and color to suit your needs. You'll also still be able to easily sort your files and program icons into multiple fences on your desktop. One of our favorite features, Auto-Organizer, also lets you choose which files will automatically go into the fence you specify--this is handy if you frequently add new files to your computer.
Fences 2.0 also comes with a couple new features, Folder Portals and Desktop Pages. Folder Portals lets you create a fence from any folder and organize the contents on your desktop for quick access. Desktop Pages lets you set up multiple screens, each with their own set of fences, and navigate between them just by clicking and dragging. While we found it fairly easy to set up and use the fences, we liked the user guidance and tutorials so you can make sure you're using Fences to its fullest potential.
Users who are overwhelmed by desktop clutter will like the flexibility of Fences 2.0. The installation is easy and quick and you can try the product free for 30 days to see if it's right for you.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of Fences 2. The trial version has limited features.
Fences - Arrange icons on your desktop - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Stardock:
Fences eliminates desktop clutter with adjustable fenced areas that organizes desktop objects into logical groups for quick access. Over 5 million users around the world rely on Fences every day to keep their PC desktops organized for quick and easy access to their programs and files they use most. The new Fences 2.0 features will now keep frequently used folders visible and organized on the desktop by creating a fence from any folder. Customization options direct Fences to automatically place new icons in designated fenced areas. Additionally, simple double click can hide or unhide all fence groups revealing an unobstructed view of the desktop.
Features: Create shaded areas called "fences" on your desktop in which you can place and organize icons. Folder Portals: View and organize the contents of any folder as a fence on your desktop. Desktop Pages: You can now have multiple pages of "fences" on your desktop. To flip a page, just take your mouse cursor to the edge of your screen and click and drag a new page of "fences" onto your desktop. Double-click blank space on your desktop and all of your icons will fade out. Double-click again and they will return. Define rules for where your icons are placed and how they are arranged. When a new icon gets added, from an installer for instance, it will be automatically added to your preferred "fence". Customize the look and color of your fences.
What's new in this version: Version 2.01:
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,161 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 27 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Version 2.0 Simple, elegant way to organize desktop"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
Provides simple but effective organization to the desktop.
Great for project focused approach to managing computer.
Setting up a Projects pane and an In Process pane is very useful for my work
Easy to install and setup.
TT WORKS FINE WITH WIN 7 64-BIT. Don't know why others had any trouble.
So far no crashes
Easy double-click to hide or reveal panes (fences).Cons
None so far.
Summary
Neat solution to an organized desktop. Why people complain about a $9.99 price for this elegant and simple solution is beyond me. It is well worth the inexpensive price. I have no problems with stability and it is running perfectly on my quad-core Intel i7 Win 7 64 bit machine. Much prefer this to Win 8 Metro.
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"Awesome! What I've been waiting for!"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
I never have to wonder where the heck all of my icons went to, and I never have to reorganize them over, and over again.
Cons
I haven't encountered any cons whatsoever.
Summary
Every computer I own will have Fences installed on it, as long as the price remains reasonable as it is. Great value for the money!
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"Simply DOES NOT WORK WITH WIN7 64 BIT!"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
None if it does not work!
Cons
Simply DOES NOT WORK WITH WIN7 64 BIT!
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"Another one bites the dust..."
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
Does what it always did.
Cons
Not free anymore.
Summary
Don't you hate to see great freeware die?
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"Organization, plus $10 for some embellishments."
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
New since version 1:
1. Multiple desktops (swipe like Android and iOS)
2. Folder portal (almost a metalink sort of thing, and pretty)
3. Improved customizability, and an easy to use Control Panel area.
4. Per-fence view preferences and sortingCons
1)Over-pricing *if* buying this program alone.
2)A naggy 30-day trial.
3)Can effect the performance of dragging files on the desktop.Summary
This program was free as a simple organization program. Now... Stardock has added some nice embellishments (such as multiple desktop swiping similar to android OS and the ability to use per pixel placement memory instead of scaling), but they're certainly not worth $10. The REASON BEHIND THIS PRICING (I think) is that Stardock wants to provide more reason to buy "Object-Desktop" - their value software package for $40; When you consider that they've just added $10 to the value of "Object Desktop", then the pricing for this makes sense. On the other hand, if you just want fences, and not the rest of "Object-Desktop", then you're going to get a bad deal by buying this - so I recommend digging around for a legal copy of version 1.0, as it's free and provides the same central function.
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"OUCH !!!!!!!"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
Still works like the old version on my old laptop.
Cons
Pesters the hell out of me wanting me to pay twice what it's worth. It was a 5 star program as freeware.
Summary
TOO DEEP FOR MY POCKET for the return.
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"Very useful with many desktop icons"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
- Useful for computers with multiple users
- Is not a memory-resident program
- Very programmable
- Will impress your friends
- It's free
- It worksCons
I have not found any cons so far.
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"Buggy piece of junk! Not free."
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
Its a good idea.
Cons
Program crashes. To install it you have to turn the program off first, but there's no way to turn it off. The programs controls are hidden and confusing. The user help in the forums on stardock website isn't correct.
Summary
I heard good things about version 1.0 of this program. Version 2.0 is total junk.
Under "Cons" that should read,
Updated on Dec 17, 2012
Program crashes. To UN-INSTALL it you have to turn the program off first, but there's no way to turn it off. The program's controls are hidden and confusing. The user help in the forums on stardock website isn't correct. -
"I liked it but 2.0 crashed my system"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
1.0 was great
Cons
When I say the offer for 2.0. I wanted to see what it was liked. I did the down load but not install when I founf out I was looseing the origional. WHen I shut down, the next time I booted up. I had a blank screen. To get my PC to work, I had to start in safe mode, uninstall 2.0 and went back to the start point before I downloaded 2.0. Now I lost 1.0.
Summary
Do not trust it
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"Tricky upsell, otherwise good"
Version: Fences 2.01
Pros
Does decent job of keeping desktop uncluttered.
Cons
Version 2 no longer freeware, agree with the tricky ads on upselling to paid version.
Summary
You CAN go back to version 1! Just search the net for version 1 and a few sites still offer the old software. You won't find it on stardock.com or via once installed version 2
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