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stardock.com

Official site. Stardock is a cutting-edge innovator specializing in desktop utility software and PC entertainment.

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Software & Apps
Language
English
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Registered
1996
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What is Stardock?

Stardock is a software company that develops two distinct product lines: desktop utility software and PC games. Its official site, stardock.com, is where both categories are presented and sold. If you are trying to figure out whether Stardock makes a tool you need or a game you might play, the site splits those two worlds cleanly — "Our Software" for utilities, "Our Games" for titles.

The two sides of Stardock

Stardock describes itself as specializing in desktop utility software and PC entertainment. That combination is unusual: most companies do one or the other. In practice it means the same company maintains Windows customization and productivity tools alongside game development and publishing.

Category What it covers Where to look on the site
Desktop software Utility programs for customizing and managing a Windows PC "Our Software" navigation section
PC games Games developed or published by Stardock "Our Games" navigation section

Desktop utility software

This is the side of Stardock most associated with Windows customization. The utilities are aimed at people who want more control over how their desktop looks and behaves than Windows offers by default. Typical tasks in this category include changing the visual style of the interface, organizing windows, and adjusting system behavior.

If your goal is "make my Windows desktop work or look different," this is the relevant product line. The site's "Our Software" section is the entry point for browsing what exists.

PC games

Stardock also develops and publishes PC games, which is a separate business from the utilities. The site's home page surfaces game news directly — for example, a notice that the September 30, 2026 v1.5 update for Elemental: Reforged is now available. That kind of patch announcement is a signal that the games are actively maintained rather than abandoned.

If you arrived at stardock.com because of a specific game, use "Our Games" rather than the software section; the two catalogs do not overlap.

How to decide if Stardock is relevant to you

  • You want to customize or manage a Windows PC → look at the desktop utility software line.
  • You want to play or follow a PC game → look at the games line and its update news.
  • You are checking whether a specific product is still supported → the home page and product sections carry current announcements, such as version updates.

Practical notes

The site is organized around those two navigation areas, so the fastest way to answer "does Stardock make X?" is to check which section X falls under. Pricing, licensing terms, and account requirements are not established by the site's general description alone — check the individual product page before assuming anything about cost or access.

How to Buy Stardock Software and Games

Stardock sells its desktop utility software and PC games directly through its official site, stardock.com. The site carries clear purchase signals — "buy now" and "subscription" — so the reliable path is to start at the official store, pick the product, and complete checkout there. Because Stardock's catalog mixes one-time purchases with subscription options, confirm the pricing and license terms on the individual product page before paying.

Where Stardock Sells Its Products

Stardock's own website is the primary storefront. The homepage is organized into two main catalog areas:

  • Our Software — desktop utility software
  • Our Games — PC entertainment titles

Both sections link to individual product pages, and those pages are where purchase actions live. The presence of "buy now" and "subscription" language on the site indicates that at least some products are sold outright while others may be offered on a subscription basis.

Step-by-Step: Buying from Stardock

  1. Go to stardock.com. The homepage is the entry point to both catalogs.
  2. Choose a category. Select Our Software for desktop utilities or Our Games for PC titles.
  3. Open the product page. Each product has its own page with details about what it does and how it's licensed.
  4. Check the purchase terms. Look for whether the product is a one-time purchase or a subscription, and what the price is. This is the step where the two models diverge, so don't skip it.
  5. Complete checkout. Follow the "buy now" path from the product page to finish the transaction.

The expected result is a confirmed purchase tied to your Stardock account, with download or access instructions for the product you bought.

One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription

The site shows signals for both models, so treat them as distinct decisions rather than assuming one applies to everything:

One-time purchase Subscription
Typical signal "Buy now" "Subscription"
What to verify Price and license scope Price, billing period, and renewal terms
Best fit You want to own a specific version You want ongoing updates or continued access

If a product page doesn't make the model obvious, that's a signal to look more carefully before checking out — the terms should be stated on the page itself.

What to Confirm Before You Pay

  • Price — stated on the individual product page, not necessarily on the homepage.
  • License type — perpetual versus subscription-based.
  • Product fit — utilities and games are separate catalogs, so make sure you're in the right section.

A Note on Updates

Stardock ships updates to its products over time. For example, the site announced a September 30, 2026 v1.5 update for Elemental: Reforged. If you're buying a game, checking its product page for current version and update status helps you know what you're getting at the time of purchase.

Common Sticking Points

  • Assuming everything is a one-time buy. The subscription signal means some offerings work differently — verify per product.
  • Looking for prices on the homepage. Pricing lives on product pages, so navigate into the specific item.
  • Confusing the two catalogs. Software and games are separate; start in the right one to avoid browsing the wrong inventory.

The short version: buy through stardock.com, enter via Our Software or Our Games, and confirm price and license type on the product page before completing the "buy now" flow.

What PC Games Does Stardock Offer?

Stardock publishes and develops PC games, primarily in the strategy genre, alongside its desktop utility software business. The official site separates its game catalog under an "Our Games" section, and individual game pages carry the details on gameplay and updates. One confirmed title in the current catalog is Elemental: Reforged, which received a v1.5 update dated September 30, 2026 according to the site's news listing. If you want the full, current list, the "Our Games" navigation on stardock.com is the authoritative source, since the catalog changes over time.

How Stardock's game business is organized

Stardock operates two distinct lines, and the site reflects that split:

  • Desktop utility software — the productivity and customization tools the company is also known for.
  • PC entertainment (games) — the games catalog, presented separately under "Our Games."

Because these are separate sections, don't expect game titles to appear in the software listings or vice versa. If your interest is games, start from the games section rather than the software pages.

What the site shows about the games catalog

The homepage evidence points to a games area with its own navigation and to at least one actively maintained title:

Signal What it tells you
"Our Games" navigation heading Games are a distinct, browsable category on the site
Elemental: Reforged v1.5 update (Sept 30, 2026) At least one strategy title is still receiving updates
Separate "Our Software" section Games and utilities are kept apart in the site structure

The genre emphasis is strategy, with Elemental: Reforged as a concrete example. The site's own description frames Stardock as working in both desktop utilities and PC entertainment, which matches the two-section layout.

How to find the current game list and details

  1. Go to stardock.com.
  2. Open the Our Games section from the site navigation.
  3. Browse the titles listed there — this is the live catalog, so it reflects what's currently offered.
  4. Open an individual game's page for gameplay description and update history.

Expected result: you land on a per-game page with that title's own information, rather than a single static list. This matters because update news (like the Elemental: Reforged v1.5 release) is tied to specific games, not to the catalog as a whole.

Practical notes before you decide

  • Check the individual game page, not just the catalog, if you care about whether a title is still supported — the v1.5 update shows active maintenance for at least one game, but that doesn't automatically apply to every title.
  • Pricing and purchase terms aren't specified here. The site shows pricing-related signals such as "buy now" and "subscription," but the available evidence doesn't state which games use which model, or any prices. Confirm on the specific game page.
  • Don't assume the catalog is fixed. Treat the "Our Games" section as the current source of truth whenever you look.
What Desktop Utility Software Does Stardock Offer?

Stardock is a software company that develops both desktop utility software and PC games. Its desktop utilities are aimed at Windows users who want to customize the look and behavior of their desktop or improve everyday productivity. The official site organizes these products under an "Our Software" section, and each product has its own page with feature details. If you are looking for a specific type of tool—such as desktop customization, window management, or system enhancement—the sections below outline the main categories and how to find the right product.

Desktop customization

Stardock's best-known utilities focus on changing how the Windows desktop looks and feels. These tools typically let you apply skins, themes, and visual styles that go beyond what Windows offers by default.

  • Start menu and taskbar customization – Replace or restyle the Windows Start menu and taskbar to match a preferred layout or aesthetic.
  • Desktop enhancement – Apply visual effects, animated wallpapers, or alternate desktop environments.
  • Icon and cursor management – Change icon sets, cursors, and other visual elements across the system.

These products are generally intended for users who are comfortable installing third-party software that modifies system-level appearance settings. Before installing, check the product page for supported Windows versions, since compatibility can vary between releases.

Productivity and window management

Beyond visual customization, Stardock offers utilities that change how you interact with windows and applications.

  • Window organization – Tools that help arrange, snap, or group open windows for faster multitasking.
  • Virtual desktops and workspaces – Utilities that extend Windows' built-in virtual desktop features.
  • Application launchers and docks – Alternative ways to launch and switch between programs.

These are useful if your main goal is efficiency rather than appearance. The official product pages list the specific features and any system requirements.

How to find the right product

  1. Go to the Stardock website and open the Our Software section.
  2. Browse the listed desktop utilities and read the short description for each.
  3. Open the individual product page to see full features, screenshots, and compatibility information.
  4. Check whether a trial or demo is offered before purchasing, if that matters to you.

The site also lists games separately under an "Our Games" section, so desktop utilities and games are not mixed together. Pricing and purchase options appear on the individual product pages; the site uses "buy now" and "subscription" language in its pricing signals, so check each product page for the current model rather than assuming a one-time purchase.

What to check before buying

  • Windows version support – Confirm the utility works with your edition of Windows.
  • Feature fit – Make sure the tool addresses your specific need (customization vs. productivity).
  • Licensing model – Some products may use a subscription; verify on the product page.
  • Updates – The site notes ongoing updates for its products (for example, a v1.5 update for Elemental: Reforged), so check whether the utility you want receives regular maintenance.

If you only need a quick answer: Stardock's desktop utilities fall mainly into desktop customization (Start menu, taskbar, themes, icons) and productivity/window management. Start at the "Our Software" section of stardock.com and open the product page for the specific tool that matches your goal.

What Is Elemental: Reforged and What’s in the v1.5 Update?

Elemental: Reforged is a PC game published by Stardock, the company behind both desktop utility software and PC entertainment titles. According to Stardock’s official site, a v1.5 update for Elemental: Reforged was released on September 30, 2026. The site’s homepage notes the update’s availability but does not list its contents there, so the specific changes are not confirmed by the available page evidence.

Where Elemental: Reforged Fits in Stardock’s Catalog

Stardock describes itself as specializing in desktop utility software and PC entertainment. Its official site separates these into “Our Software” and “Our Games,” placing Elemental: Reforged on the games side of the business rather than among its desktop utilities.

If you are trying to understand what Stardock offers, the practical split is:

Category What it covers Where Elemental: Reforged belongs
Desktop utility software Tools for customizing or managing a Windows PC No
PC entertainment / games Games published or developed by Stardock Yes

That distinction matters because Stardock is often associated first with desktop customization tools, while Elemental: Reforged is part of its game lineup.

What the v1.5 Update Announcement Tells You

The homepage evidence states: “September 30, 2026 v1.5 Update for Elemental: Reforged Now Available.” From that, three things are clear:

  • An update exists and is described as available.
  • It is versioned as v1.5.
  • Its date is September 30, 2026.

What is not established by the available evidence is the update’s changelog. Game updates commonly include bug fixes, balance changes, or new content, but none of those specifics are confirmed for v1.5 here. Treat any list of exact changes as unverified unless it comes from Stardock’s own release notes.

How to Find the Full Update Notes

To see what v1.5 actually changes, go to the source rather than relying on a summary:

  1. Open Stardock’s official site.
  2. Navigate to the games section, where Stardock lists its PC entertainment titles.
  3. Find Elemental: Reforged and open its page or news/update entry.
  4. Look for the v1.5 release notes or patch notes linked from that announcement.

Expected result: a first-party description of the changes. If the game page only repeats the “now available” line, the detailed notes may sit in a separate news post, forum thread, or store page.

Common Points of Confusion

  • “Stardock makes desktop software, so is this a utility?” No. Elemental: Reforged is listed under games, not desktop utilities.
  • “The homepage says the update is available — does that mean it’s free?” The available evidence does not state pricing or access terms for the update. Do not assume it is free or paid based on the announcement alone.
  • “Can I read the changes on the homepage?” The homepage confirms the update and its date, not its contents. Use the game’s own page or release notes for details.

Bottom Line

Elemental: Reforged is one of Stardock’s PC games, and its v1.5 update was announced on the official site as available on September 30, 2026. For the actual list of fixes, balance changes, or new features, check Stardock’s game page or release notes directly — the homepage announcement confirms the update exists but not what it contains.

Website Overview

An established domain and managed infrastructure suggest continuity of operations and may support dependable delivery, although neither guarantees service quality. Page metadata, canonical configuration and social previews work together to provide more consistent search and sharing presentation.

Domain and Registration

Registered in 1996, this domain has about 30 years of history. That suggests continuity, although ownership and purpose may have changed. Transfer-protection status is present, helping reduce the risk of unauthorized domain transfers. The registrar is GoDaddy.com, LLC, a widely used domain service provider. The domain uses the common .com extension, which is not an independent safety signal.

DNS and Email

The observed email authentication setup is incomplete: DMARC is missing. The lowest TTL is 37 seconds, supporting rapid record changes at the cost of more frequent lookups. Nameservers are provided by Cloudflare, indicating managed DNS hosting. MX records point to the Microsoft 365 email service. No CNAME was found; the observed records resolve directly to addresses.

TLS and Certificates

The public key uses EC with 256 bits. The server supplied a complete certificate chain. No organization name is present in the certificate; the available fields are consistent with domain validation. The certificate was issued by Let's Encrypt, commonly associated with automated certificate services. The certificate's total validity is about 89 days, consistent with a short renewal cycle.

HTTP and Browser Security

X-Powered-By exposes backend information: ASP.NET. The checked browser-security headers were not detected, leaving fewer explicit browser-side safeguards. The cf-ray response header indicates a CDN or caching proxy in the delivery path. No obvious internal addresses or debug information were found in the headers. The Server header identifies cloudflare without an exact version.

Technology Stack Analysis

Unknown

Search and Social Sharing

Open Graph is partially configured; og:description, og:type is missing. Twitter Card metadata is configured. The title has 8 characters, within a common display range. A meta description is present, with 114 characters. The observed directives allow indexing and link following.

Hosting and Email

DNSCloudflare
HostingCloudflare
EmailMicrosoft 365
Approximate IP geolocation (inferred; a CDN or proxy may differ from the origin server) Location unknown Inferred

Registration details

RDAP / WHOIS

RegistrarGoDaddy.com, LLC
Registered1996-03-22
Expires2027-03-23
Domain statusclient delete prohibited、client renew prohibited、client transfer prohibited、client update prohibited
Nameserversevelyn.ns.cloudflare.com、kayden.ns.cloudflare.com
DNSSECunsigned

DNS records

DNS

TypeNameValueTTLPriority
Awww.stardock.com104.21.54.18037—
Awww.stardock.com172.67.141.537—
AAAAwww.stardock.com2606:4700:3031::6815:36b469—
AAAAwww.stardock.com2606:4700:3037::ac43:8d0569—
MXstardock.comstardock-com.mail.protection.outlook.com360010
NSstardock.comevelyn.ns.cloudflare.com86400—
NSstardock.comkayden.ns.cloudflare.com86400—
TXTstardock.comMS=ms237014123600—
TXTstardock.comMS=ms516889243600—
TXTstardock.comMS=ms753180263600—
TXTstardock.comatlassian-domain-verification=yw61adS6Uac8IJyursTjqSpOoBuUV66axFMOUKD36bnqFZ/YqWUA2sqOKZ62r6EU3600—
TXTstardock.comatlassian-sending-domain-verification=63dd6765-e9e9-4c45-8c6b-5d766643b5e63600—
TXTstardock.combw=cnGYLmv01SW1uyKhqn47lij1vDUr0ssxWH6fGuvQwm4B3600—
TXTstardock.comgoogle-site-verification=54O6aMTU0SHK0eS34plmX87x5DpPJ3ueRc4zwWNIWlY3600—
TXTstardock.comgoogle-site-verification=spYQx8r6bOXrJ5DlX1ZDwekNkrfv9M8NdTl4VNHrmmQ3600—
TXTstardock.comopenai-domain-verification=dv-AWe50psYMne5Qyuk4tpWUK6u3600—
TXTstardock.comv=spf1 mx ip4:209.142.219.64/26 mx:mail.stardock.com include:spf.protection.outlook.com ip4:54.186.110.59 ip4:70.88.110.125 ip4:96.64.15.129 ~all3600—

TLS and certificates

TLS / SSL

AssessmentNormal configuration
Supported protocolsTLSv1.2、TLSv1.3
Negotiated protocolTLSv1.3
Certificate subjectstardock.com
IssuerLet's Encrypt
Valid until2026-12-20T15:07 · Remaining when checked: 69 days
Verification detailsCertificate trust: Passed · Hostname match: Passed

HTTP response headers

HTTP

HeaderValue
content-typetext/html; charset=utf-8
cache-controlprivate
servercloudflare
set-cookieRedacted

Identified technologies

Technology stack: Unknown

Pages, Search and Sharing

Meta descriptionOfficial site. Stardock is a cutting-edge innovator specializing in desktop utility software and PC entertainment.
Canonical URLhttps://www.stardock.com/
LanguageEnglish (default)
Twitter Cardsummary_large_image
All bots 0 allowed · 11 disallowed
  • Disallow/api/
  • Disallow/accounts/
  • Disallow/notifications/
  • Disallow/signin-oidc
  • Disallow/signout-oidc
  • Disallow/link-oidc
  • Disallow/publishing/
  • Disallow/CheckForUpdates.aspx
  • Disallow/CrashReportingEnabled.aspx
  • Disallow/uninstall-survey
  • Disallow/search?

Recent Updates

  • Domain Registration
  • TLS and certificates
  • DNS Information
  • Pages and Search Information
  • HTTP Response Information
  • Website profile
  • Website Description
  • Website Name

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