Aston Shell version history

Aston 1.9.6

• + Improved Windows Vista support
• + Increased stability and performance
• + Improved support for multimonitor system
• * Fixed bug with shutdown and recycle options
• * Fixed bug with Aston2 Menu start
• * Fixed bugs in DiskEx, Recycle bin, Panel and Nettrafic plug-ins
• * Fixed bug with plug-ins setting
• * Fixed bug with shells switching
• * Fixed bug with the installation in Windows Vista
• * Fixed bug with the folders displaying in the Main Menu
• * Fixed bug with the item paths
• * Fixed bug with the new desktop elements coordinates

Aston 1.9.5

• + Recy±le bin plug-in is re-written anew.
• + Icons can now be deleted from the desktop to the recycle bin
• + New AltDesk control plug-in is added into the distributives.
• + "Run as..." option is added to the context menus.
• * Fixed bug: error shell swapping.
• * Fixed bug: error the themes application.
• * Fixed bug: trouble with installation in Windows Vista.
• * Fixed bug: error with the context menu items under Windows Vista.
• * Fixed bug: error in Search plug-in.
• * Fixed bug: error in DiskEx plug-in.
• * Fixed bug: error with the icons displaying in the tray.

Aston 1.9.4

• + Aston now supports AltDesk "Individual set of icons for each desktop"
• + When placing an icon of a picture to the desktop, the picture itself is not opened
• + Shell stability is increased. Now the shell will not crash even in case there is a mistake in some of the plug-ins.
• + Event option is added to the Calendar. It lets you to create a reminder about some occasion for a certain date.
• + Panel plug-in is completely rewritten anew
• * Fixed bug: previews error in Win2000 - now previews don't cause Aston crash
• * Fixed bug: error on context menu call for some plug-ins.
• * Fixed bug: tray hints were sometimes displayed incorrectly (flickering effect on displaying hints)
• * Lots of fixed bugs in Search, Main Menu, DiskEx and SkinClckEx plug-ins

Aston 1.9.3

• ! Vista support
• + New Aston RSS reader plug-in is added
• + Theme Wizard is described in the documentation
• + .ani files are supported in .ankz
• + Themes are now extracted to the same directory where configuration files are located.
• + Calendar plug-in now has Z-order
• + Creation and editing of .ank and .ankz files is significantly simplified via "Edit element" dialog
• + Recycle option is available again in the desktop context menu, optionally enabled
• * Fixed bug with multimonitor support
• * Fixed bug in MS Excel task support
• * Apps, which place their icons to the tray, are now visible in the tray (have "Always show" status by default)
• * Fixed bug with .atz file creation
• * Fixed bug with the profile creation
• * Fixed bugs in AstAmp
• * Fixed bug in APC files loading
• * Fixed bug in .ank files saving
• * Fixed bugs in Panel plug-in
• * Fixed bug with the tray icons hits display

Aston 1.9.2

• ! Multimonitor support (you can place different wallpapers and icons on all monitors)
• + A-Master's GUI is rewritten to be even more logical and easy to use
• + Theme Wizard is 90% rewritten anew, featuring new Theme selection and compiling dialogs
• + Task previews on hovering Taskbar buttons
• + Support for compiled Themes in ATZ format
• + Completely new documentation, created from the scratch
• + New Theming tutorial, reflecting the most recent changes in Aston skinning
• + Redesigned plug-in configuration: now supports tabs, has a way more logical config structure
• + Most default plug-ins are updated
• + New resource type supported: 3pic (two flanks, a middle part plus glass)
• + New resource type supported: ANKz: zipped ANK files plus all required images
• + Tray clock plug-in now has a build-in calendar
• + New search plug-in, supporting a variety of search engines (the list is updated online)
• + Tray can be tuned to Explorer XP-like behaviour
• + More logical overall Tray behavior
• + Tray can automatically restore on mouse over
• + Taskbar supports 3PICs, added icon offset
• + Main menu supports 3PICs, footers, headers, glass effects plus has more options for Theme creators
• + Start button supports ANK animation
• + Dragging icons with SHIFT pressed displays coordinates
• + Option for global transparency disabling (troubleshooting)
• + Fast config edit buttons
• * Lots of bugfixes (too many for listing here)
• * Lots of small tweaks (too many for listing here)

Aston 1.9.1

• + New plugin the "DisksEx", a successor to the "Disks".
• + New plugin the "Panel", a successor to the "Toppanel".
• + New plugin the "RecycleBinEx".
• + New default Theme included.
• + The Aston icon in system tray is now skinnable and removable.
• + Added word wrap option for the Notebook plugin.
• * Improved plugins' skin settings.
• * Plugins folder is now opened by default when adding new plugin in the A-master.
• * Fonts folder is now opened by default when adding new Font in the Theme Wizard.
• * Fixed bug when saving an AltDesk skin within Aston Theme.
• * Recommended resolution is put into comments when saving a Theme.
• * Fixed bug with reading icons for removable devices in the TopPanel and the VertPanel.
• * Fixed bug with an error message when removing discs from CD-ROM.
• * Fixed bug with rebuilding icons in the Theme Wizard.
• * Fixed bug with mouse sensitivity adjustment in the A-master.
• * Fixed bug when displaying a Desktop icon whilst dragging.
• * Fixed bug when displaying folder names with dot symbol.
• * Fixed bug when saving Themes in the Theme Wizard.
• * Fixed bug with load default skin in AClock.

Aston 1.9

• + Support for PNG and alpha blending (not only in 2K/XP).
• + Support for 32 bit icons with alpha channel.
• * Taskbar border is removed (with disabled Autohide and enabled Lock taskbar option).
• * Taskbar icons in Windows XP now have transparent background.
• + "Native" shadows for text in Windows XP (optional).
• * Fixed bug with reading ANK files.
• * Fixed bug with drag'n'drop to the Quick launch plugin.
• + Better support for multimedia keyboards.
• + Improved autorun for CD/DVD in Windows 2K/XP, new autorun.plg plugin for Windows NT/9X/ME.
• + Autostart is disabled while booting in safe mode.
• * Improved work of context menu in the Main menu plugin.
• + New options for the notebook.plg:
  Print & PageSetup commands;
  user can set an icon for toolbar item.
• * Fixed display/configuration bugs in the vert/top panel plugins.
• + New analog clock plugin with numerous advanced features like layered display, date display, new antialiased hands, shadows, "ghost mode", etc... (read plugin's documentation for more info).
• + Themes are now sorted by names.
• + Current Theme is highlighted.
• * Fixed bug with adding fonts.
• + AltDesk skin can be saved within Themes now.
• * Fixed bug with negative coordinates in plugin's settings.
• + Tooltips for all elements.
• + New features to save/load settings and skins of any standalone plugin.

Aston 1.8.2

• ! Significantly increased stability (bugfixes: more bugs than you can shake at a giant baobab ;)).
• + New Shell Swapper:
• + New option: "Install the shell for All Users or for Current User only".
• + Shell Swapper can be used as the shell.
• + Aston startup modes (to protect Aston from errors that occur if Explorer or IE extensions are used).
• + Shell Swapper can restore system colors, cursors, icons etc when switching the shell.
• * Fixed: slow logoff in XP.
• + Added new plug-in "VertPanel".
• + Added new option: "Autoload from registry" (enables/disables autoload from registry - now you don't have to hold down to prevent autoload).
• + Added new option: "Loading shell objects".
• + New "Icon offset" option (for toolbars).
• * New "find files" algorithm (more stable).
• * Fixed: GPF during "Recycle" if there is an open any plug-in menu.
• * Fixed: some tray icons are missed at startup.
• * Fixed errors in "TopPanel" plugin.
• * Some improvements in "TopPanel" plugin.
• * Fixed: zero divide error and CPU usage histogram errors in CPU95nt plug-in.
• + Some improvements for Zoom (now you can setup zoom screen refresh timer; it properly shows transparent apps in Win 2K/XP).
• + Some improvements for ClipView (it supports new formats - CF_OWNERDISPLAY, CF_HDROP (files); tooltip shows text when CF_TEXT format is available).
• + New significant features in Notebook (up to 7 sheets with changeable names, icons; password protection for each sheet (AES algorithm); read only mode).
• * New "Icon" option for Terminator2 plugin.
• * Fixed: memory leak error in QuickLaunch.
• * Fixed: memory leak error in DeskPanel; icons positions error.
• * Fixed: stretched wallpapers error in 256 colors screen mode.
• * Fixed: 3 GPF at Aston exit.
• * Fixed: toolbars disappear when fullscreen windows aren't open.
• * Fixed: sometimes Thwizard doesn't save toolbar caption properly.
• * Fixed: Thwizard doesn't save control panel icon properly.
• * Fixed: some A-master errors.
• * Fixed: user can't launch system folders in Win95 + Win98 (except SE).

Aston 1.8.1?

• * Fixed bug: the "Panel caption" option doesn't work.
• * Fixed bug with Y-position of toolbars.
• * Fixed bug in the "Element's editing" dialog.
• * Fixed bug with Theme Wizard with theme creation.
• * Fixed bug: smetimes a little CPU overloading.

What's new in version 1.8?

• + Added: new advanced ANK format for animated icons!!!
• + Added anim files support.
• + A-Master's appearance changed.
• + Added new plug-in "TopPanel".
• + Added skins for toolbars' captions.
• + Added new options "Lock Taskbar".
• + Added context menu setup.
• + Added: font type setup for "Tip of the Day".
• + Added "Panel on the top" and "Smooth toolbar appearance" settings are can be different for different toolbars
• + In Win XP/2000, configuration files can be kept in "...\Documents and Settings\%UserName%\Application Data\Aston\" folder to support local and roaming profiles.
• * Fixed bugs in SHDOCTOR.
• * Fixed bugs in "Quick launch" panel.
• * Fixed bug in "Setup tray icons" dialog.
• * Fixed bugs with Theme Wizard with theme creation.
• * Fixed bug in Main Menu.

Aston 1.7

• + Added: support for jpg files (directly, without converting to bmp).
• + Added: the "Setup tray icons" command.
• + Added: the "Task manager" command to context menu of taskbar (in Win NT/2000/XP).
• + Now you can drag'n'drop icons to the "Quick launch" panel.
• + Added: new "Hint format" option for the "Taskbar clock".
• * Fixed: disappearance of icons when change the screen mode.
• * Improved algorithm of wallpaper's stretching.
• * Fixed bug with the "PopupFolder" menu command.
• * Fixed bugs in "Quick launch" panel.
• * Fixed bug with non-rectangular shape of toolbars.
• * Fixed bug with copying of desktop elements.
• * Fixed: flickers applying the theme.
• + Added: tooltips in "Toolbar's setup" dialog.
• + Improved most of plug-ins.

Aston 1.6.2

• * Fixed bug: the "stretch skin" option doesn't work in the "Quick launch" panel.
• * Creation of shortcuts for the directories is improved.
• * Fixed bug: during loading, ..\windows\system folder pops up on the screen.
• + Added: the "Network connections" dialog in Win XP.
• * Fixed bug: invalid options cause a crash in the "Theme wizard".
• * Fixed bug with installation of the fonts from a theme in Win XP.
• * Fixed bug with extracting of an icon from the UPX-executable files.

Aston 1.6

• + Transparency for the menu, taskbar, toolbars in Win2k/XP.
• + New options for the main menu and tasbar.
• + Now, the "StayOnTop" option separate for taskbar and toolbars.
• * Fixed bugs with applications' autoload from the registry, the "RunOnceEx" key is now supported (important for IE setup and Windows Update).
• * Fixed bug with transparency in notebook.
• + New context menu for the desktop elements.
• * Fixed bug with "Computers' find" in Win NT4, Win98.
• * Fixed bug with "application toolbars" in Win XP.
• + Assigned font for the "tip of the day".
• * Fixed bugs with some applications: ZoneAlarm, 602 office, "multimedia keyboard" utility.
• * Fixed bug in "Popup folder" with long filename.
• + Added new utility SHDOCTOR, which can easy prevent "shell not found" problem in Win9x/ME.
• * Fixed bugs with Theme Wizard with theme creation and removal.
• + 256-colors video modes are now supported.
• + Now, "Recyle bin" icon renews automatically in Win 98, (and NT4, Win 95 with IE 4.0 or later).
• + Keyboard layout indicator is now supported XP.
• * Fixed bug: the taskbar covers up the portion of screen in "Half-Life".
• * Fixed bug with drag'n'drop in main menu setup.
• * Fixed bug with "Cut" - "Cancel" in setup.
• * Fixed bug with wallpapers' setup.

Aston 1.5

• + Added new powerful "Theme Wizard" (instead of "Theme Creator" and "Theme Manager").
• + No 10 elements limitation in the trial version.
• + New nice interface, Win XP visual style.
• + Built-in themes are replaced.
• + Added new MenuEx.plg (instead of LsMenu & Menu97).
• + Added *.ICL-files support!
• + Added "Network Connection Status" support (Win 2000, XP). Rasmon.exe was removed.
• + The "Start" button can be in a three states.
• + Added the shadows for icon's text.
• + Users can create the own profiles.
• + Added new "Lock" option for the icons on desktop.
• * Fixed _nasty_ bug with icon's overlay image!
• + Added Windows icons customization.
• + New button "Edit tips.rc".
• + Added new commands: "Lock Workstation" ("Switch User" in XP), "Show/hide tray icons".
• + Added new menu commands: Popup Contol Panel, Popup Desktop.
• + Now Aston's setup will create the default theme, which can be used at uninstall.
• * Fixed bug: logon delay in Win XP.
• * Fixed bug in PrintMon.
• * Fixed several bugs in Shell Swapper.
• * Fixed bug with drag & drop on the desktop.
• * Fixed bug with icon's offset setup.
• * Fixed bug with hidden explorers in NT4.
• + Remaked nearly all the plug-ins, improved their functionality (especially, Quick Launch, Terminator, Mail Checker).
• * Fixed bug with the "Minimize all" button in the quick launch.

Aston 1.4

• + Support for Windows ME/XP added.
• + "Files find" dialog is able to call with Win ME/2000/XP.
• + "Computer search" dialog is able to call with Win ME/2000/XP.
• + "Fonts", "Network Neighborhood" and "Printers" folders are accessible with Win ME/2000/XP.
• * Some bug with tray icons fixed (Win XP).
• + Folders can be opened using Win ME/2000/XP command prompt.
• * Some bug with IE fullscreen fixed.
• + TaskManager's "Hide when minimized" option is now works with Win 2000/XP.
• + "Win" key now calls main menu (Win 2000/XP).
• + CPU monitor supports new AMD processors.
• + Options to turn off left/right toolbar added.
• + In Notebook plug-in: Ctrl+A hotkey added ("Select All").
• + Recycle Bin, CD-DISK icons renews automatically (Win ME/2000/XP).

Aston 1.2.6

• + Added command "Empty recycle bin" to context menu of recycle bin.
• * Fixed bug with Shell Swapper in Win ME.
• * Fixed bug with "Dialup Networking" dialog in Win2000.
• * Fixed bug with Audio CD autorun.
• * Fixed bug with selecting wallpapers in win2000
• * Fixed bug with very long tooltips.
• + Improved setup of toolbars.

Aston 1.2.5

• + Added import explorer icons into Aston.
• + Added context menu for Start button.
• + Added context menu for Main Menu items (Win98,2000 only).
• + Added setting for icons offset in toolbars.
• * Fixed bug: taskbar over fullscreen apps.
• * Fixed bug with applications' autoload from registry.
• * Fixed bug in Main Menu with empty first item.
• * Changed algorithm of loading *.bmp (RLE4,8) files.

Aston 1.2.4

• + Added network connections monitor for Win2000.
• * Quick launch panel changed, so it resizes automatically depending to icons' quantity.
• * Fixed bug in Printmon.
• * Enhanced hotkey control.

Aston 1.2.3

• + Now, WIN key can be used in any hotkeys setting.
• * Fixed bug with toolbars appearance.
• * Fixed bug in "Wallpaper Changer" plug-in.
• * Changed plug-ins API format, please download new versions of all plug-ins.

Aston 1.2.2

• * Fixed bug with ICQ startup.
• * Found bug in Corel Draw (cause a crash) and we made patch for it.
• * Fixed bug with executing any *.html files from the local disks in Win2000.
• + Added support for Win2000 systray.
• * Changed user interface of Theme Creator.
• + CPU monitor supports more than one processor in WinNT/2000.
• + Added new plug-in - Wallpaper Changer.

Aston 1.2.1

• * Fixed bug with long filenames in plug-ins section.

Aston version 1.2

• + Added: skin on Taskbar and Systray.
• + Added: partial support for *.scf files.
• + Added: support for "MacVision" shell.
• + Added: double click on taskbar clock show the dialog of adjusting the date and time.
• + Enhanced functional possibilities.
• + Enhanced support for DDE.
• + Vastly raised stability (added: explorer-like exception handler).
• + shswdos.exe - now works at quick computers.
• * Changed: algorithm of work with *.ani files (prevents from error on some video cards).
• + In themes possible to include *.jpg files as wallpaper.
• + In themes possible to include the plug-ins' configuration information, system colors and cursors.