Hmm, I don't have that problem with either program. There are many ways to explain it though. One foremost is conflicts. Conflicts with other programs or the same program loading different versions of certain old files being cross referenced. Updating programs can be tricky. Especially, when the program doesn't update or remove older dll's that continue to load. Most dangerous when those files are placed in other directories such as the window directory and, aren't updated or removed when no longer neccessary, but there reference is still present in the registry, and windows tries to load them which would corrupt the updated version of the same program. Sometimes the best solution is "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"
Also, SDC and CM, by default, loaded programs in different directories. If you have a old version still present from CM and the new version from SDC, both versions are still active and may conflict. So that, DX and WB maybe loading older files or dll's still referenced in the registry from the old CM, WB or DX install.
One solution maybe to ask Stardock for every file used in the program. Old and new versions. Then, clean every WB and DX file, from the program and system folders and every reference in the registry. But, it may also be referenced in other locations too.
I had to do that with my Soundblaster drivers.
The best solution maybe to do a clean install of windows, and apply the new versions via SDC. That way, every trace of any old registry references won't exist.
I did this once and it worked. I had shareware versions on my system and they crashed my full versions. So, I uninstalled windows, wiped my hard drive and reinstalled the full versions and I have never had a problem since then.
But, I had a similar problem and I noticed that DX and WB was somehow installed in two different places. So, I removed Windowblinds completely, I removed the older windowblind folder which I don't know why it was still there after the uninstall, and then I defragged and restart my system fresh before I reinstalled. As another saying goes, "Sh*t Happens" or better stated "Sh*t lingers"