Getting started
- If you have not published all of your latest changes or pages, make sure to complete sections A, B, and C.
- If you are sure that you have published all of your latest changes or pages, just complete section B.
Section A: Back up your SiteBuilder data files
If you are using:
- Windows XP go to C:\Program Files\Homestead\SiteBuilder\data\user\Sites.
- Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows 8 go to C:\ProgramData\Homestead\SiteBuilder\data\user\Sites. To learn how to find this folder, read Show hidden folders in Windows.
You will see one or more folders named "XXXXXXXXXX", but with a number sequence instead of the letter "X". Copy the folders to a "backup" location on your computer hard drive, like C:\sitebackup.

Section B: Perform the clean installation of SiteBuilder
Uninstall SiteBuilder
- Close all of your Web browser sessions.
- Go to the Control Panel. (Click Start in the lower left corner of your computer desktop. Then click Control Panel.)
- In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
- When the Add or Remove Programs window appears, select Homestead SiteBuilder, and click Change/Remove. Then click Next.
- To confirm the deletion click OK.
- When the deletion is complete, go to your SiteBuilder directory and delete it.
- Windows XP users go to: C:\Program Files\Homestead\SiteBuilder.
- Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows 8 users go to: C:\ProgramData\Homestead.
- Remove all SiteBuilder Shortcuts:
- If you have a SiteBuilder icon on your desktop, drag it to the Recycle Bin.
- Click Start in the lower left corner of your computer desktop. If you see Sitebuilder in the start menu right click on the file name and click Remove from This List.
- Click Start in the lower left corner of your computer desktop and select All Programs. If you see Homestead >SiteBuilder in the All Programs list right click SiteBuilder and Click Delete.
- Restart your computer. This will safely remove SiteBuilder from your computer.
Note: In Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows 8, Program Data is a hidden folder. For more information, go to Show Hidden Folders .
Reinstall SiteBuilder
- Go online and open a Web browser (make sure you have disabled any firewall programs like ZoneAlarm or Norton Internet Security).
- Go to: https://www.homestead.com/~site/Scripts_SiteManager/SiteManager.dll?CMD=CMDDownloadPage.
- Click Download.
- If you are using:
- Internet Explorer
- File Download Security Warning box will open, click Run.
- Internet Explorer Security Warning box will open, click Run.
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opening SiteBuilderSetup.exe box will open. Click Save File.
- In the Downloads window double click, SiteBuilderSetup.exe
- Open File Security Warning box will open. Click Run.
- The SiteBuilder Install Wizard will launch. Click Next to Download and Install SiteBuilder.
- You will need to choose an install location for SiteBuilder. Click Next to begin install to the default location. Approximately 8 MBs of files will download to your computer during installation, so it may take several minutes on a dial-up connection. After the installation is completed, the following message appears: Click Finish to launch SiteBuilder.
- Click Finish and SiteBuilder will start.
- After SiteBuilder has started, enter your Login Name and Password, and click OK.
- Under Open Site, select a site from the dropdown menu, and click OK.
- Close SiteBuilder.
Note: Make sure you are connected to the Internet throughout this process. During installation SiteBuilder files will need to be downloaded and unpacked to your computer, so it may take several minutes to complete the process. If you are installing the .NET version of SiteBuilder, you'll need to have .NET 2.0 installed. Use the following links according to your system requirements:
32 Bit Systems: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en
64 Bit Systems: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b44a0000-acf8-4fa1-affb-40e78d788b00&displaylang=en
Section C: Restore your SiteBuilder Data files
- Go to the location where you backed up your site folders in Section A.
- Select the folders and copy them (CTRL+C).
- Navigate into the SiteBuilder folder on your hard drive.
- Windows XP users locate the following folder: C:\Program Files\Homestead\SiteBuilder\data\user\Sites.
- Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows 8 users locate the following folder: C:\ProgramData\Homestead\SiteBuilder\data\user\Sites.
- Paste the backup site folders into that location (CTRL+V).
- Now that your clean installation is complete, try starting SiteBuilder again.
SiteBuilder will normally run fine at this point. If it does not then there may be something on the computer interfering with the program, usually security/antivirus software. Just turning it off does not always prevent it from interfering so you will likely have to find the section in the software to add the SiteBuilde “exes” as program exceptions. Every program (security software) is different so you will need to look for a section to exclude programs from being blocked. If you can’t find it by clicking around in the program just you can Google it.
The exes that need to be added as program exceptions are all the ones in C:\Program Files (x86)\Homestead\SiteBuilder:
SiteBuilderLPX.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncher.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncherUpdated.exe
updater.exe
ForceUpdate.exe
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Posted 6 years ago
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112 Points
Windows 8.1 sitebuilder download-install problems.
I can't download and install sitebuilder on windows 8.1 laptop. I tried both versions above and below vista options and neither work. The one for vista says I need virtual machine and that will mess up things with windows 8.1.
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294 Points
Does sitebuilder plus have the same functionality as sitebuilder desktop?
I take it sitebuilder lite is different from plus?
Rohan6985
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Yes, Lite is different than Plus. Plus is far superior. Just reply here if you would like to convert the account for you.
Mike
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294 Points
How easy is it to convert to sitebuilder plus and does my account stay the same in all other regards
can I convert to sitebuilder plus by logging into my account
Rohan
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Mike
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2,456 Points
Site builder PLUS does not function the SAME WAY!! Not if you have built websites using extensive creativity. You will loose some of your work!!!
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552 Points
Homestead which forced me to close the program.
In site: livinist.com
There's problem with Homestead which forced me to close the program and I can't update photography and I try fixing it and update again but I can't with my computer. I try using original computer that created the website in the first place but it still has the same problem.


Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
You can try to do a clean install as shown above, but, the best fix is to switch to the newer SiteBuilder Plus. There's no cost to convert so just reply here and we'll convert your account.
Mike
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134 Points
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102 Points
I'm trying to make changes and add pictures to my web site but the program locks up when I make a change.
I can get into sitebuilder and it seems normal. I've added some new pictures but when I go to review only a few of them show up and the others are just small "X". When I try to delete the new pictures the program locks up and I have to restart the program to get where I was and then the same thing all over again.
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102 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Drew
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84 Points
Frustrated.
Please help me install site builder plus. It won't install. I have Windows 7 (I have always had this version, it isn't new)
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
SiteBuilder Plus is web-based so there is nothing to install. It sounds like you are referring to the old desktop version. Can you tell us where you are running into problems, error messages etc? The instructions above may help.
Mike
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82 Points
Is anyone out there having trouble opening Homestead from the desktop icon> I just upgraded to Windows 8.1, and cannot open from the icon..
Tried re-installing Homestead. Same problem.
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
If you are still unable to get it to install, we can convert your account to the online Plus version. You can reply here if you would like us to make that change for you.
Mike
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92 Points
recommended version of .NET framework 2.0?.
We have two webmasters for our site. Both are running Win 7 SP1. One (me) has Homestead site builder Version 1 (.NET) built at 2014-01-31 11:15 and I can build with site builder.
The other webmaster cannot upgrade past Homestead site builder Version 1 (.NET) built at 2013-07-01 14:07, and cannot build with site builder. The Help indicates "if you are installing the .NET version of SiteBuilder, you'll need to have .NET 2.0 installed. Use the following links (etc.)". I have .NET framework 2.0 Version 2.0.50727.5420. What is the minimum or recommended version of .NET framework 2.0? Tanx! TY
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Also, if you have multiple users working on the same site, from different computers and locations, its recommended to use the Plus version which is web based.
Mike
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92 Points
Also, tanx for the tip on the web-based version, however we are not in any real danger of shredding each others work. We may still switch to it after we get our recent work synch'd up. TY
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Mike
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82 Points
Can't edit website. Getting security violations.
Since updating Windows 8, my security settings will not allow me to use Homestead site builder. It says that the exe file can't load. I tried reloading the program but that isn't working either and the website editing is terrible. I can't update half of my website on line. My page also won't use Java because of security issues.
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Thanks
Drew
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122 Points
Installation of SiteBuilder Desktop fails with file missing.
Why is the download for Site Builder throwing an Error 404 for File not found? http://install.homestead.com/~site/In... ?
Windows 7 machine I was asked to upgrade when I logged into Homestead. Had Site Builder already installed.
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122 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
The only other thing I can do for you now is to convert your account to Sitebuilder Plus, a new online editor. If you want to remain on the desktop version, then I suggest that you contact support during the week.
Drew
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448 Points
Site builder freezing problem.
I downloaded site builder for my existing account on to my new computer which runs windows 7. When I try to use the preview button site builder freezes and when I try to publish the index page it freezes. I got the following problem report :Description: A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows. Problem signature: Problem Event Name: AppHangB1 Application Name: SiteBuilderLPX.exe Application Version: 0.0.0.0 Application Timestamp: 52ebf6b4 Hang Signature: 20b1 Hang Type: 6400 OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48 Locale ID: 3081 Additional Hang Signature 1: 20b14ad2ae81c734f2c85144d63f46fe Additional Hang Signature 2: af60 Additional Hang Signature 3: af605044b32d00df504b093bfc4c62f8 Additional Hang Signature 4: 20b1 Additional Hang Signature 5: 20b14ad2ae81c734f2c85144d63f46fe Additional Hang Signature 6: af60 Additional Hang Signature 7: af605044b32d00df504b093bfc4c62f8 Read our privacy statement online: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linki... If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline: C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Mike
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302 Points
Sitebuilder contatanly crashing.
Sitebuiler contanly crashes when trying to edit or greate new pages.
The error message is:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
Problem Signature 01: sitebuilderlpx.exe
Problem Signature 02: 0.0.0.0
Problem Signature 03: 52ebf6b4
Problem Signature 04: System.Drawing
Problem Signature 05: 2.0.0.0
Problem Signature 06: 506c194d
Problem Signature 07: 175
Problem Signature 08: 29
Problem Signature 09: System.OutOfMemoryException
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057
Any suggestion as to how to resolve the problem would be appreciated
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
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82 Points
Text Box Acting Funny.
When I am editing a page..adding text...moving it with my mouse..the text box moves shaky and out of control..lands wherever..and when I add text.. the text box shoots to the top of the page...any ideas?
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
First try a clean install of Sitebuilder.
Thanks
Drew
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82 Points
SiteBuilder keeps shutting down on me while I'm working on my site. Any idea why?.
SiteBuilder keeps shutting down on me while I'm working on my site. Any idea why?
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328 Points
All of a sudden,I cannot edit or publish my pages - what has Homestead Sitebuilder done now to cause that? After 12 years, I'm nearly ready to cancel my Homestead subscription - TOO many problems!.
Edit & Publishing problems
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Try doing this clean install. If you are still unable to publish, please tell us a little more about what is happening when you try to edit.
Thanks
Drew
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302 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Drew
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302 Points
So without a reliable desktop version I guess it is time to move along.
I have as a last resort just tried a forced update, so fingers crossed that will help!
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Drew
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302 Points
I will repost if there is an improvement.
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294 Points
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
The exes that need to be added as program exceptions are all the ones in C:\Program Files (x86)\Homestead\SiteBuilder:
SiteBuilderLPX.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncher.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncherUpdated.exe
updater.exe
ForceUpdate.exe
If this does not work, the best solution is to convert to the newer SiteBuilder Plus.
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82 Points
Windows 8.1 stops SiteBuilder after using 15 min..
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Try to do a clean reinstall as shown above. If you still have problems let us know as we can convert the account to the newer SiteBuilder Plus which will eliminate any installation issues.
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226 Points
I just installed my site builder on my new computer which has Windows 8.1 as its OS.
I just installed my site builder on my new computer which has Windows 8.1 as its OS. Everything started out OK but when I open Sitebuilder it starts to "check files" and gets about halfway through and freezes. Then I can't even close sitebuilder without the task manager. How can I get this thing to work?
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
It sounds like there could be something on your computer blocking it from running or performing a certain task. Sometimes security software can cause this problem. As a first step, try temporarily turning of your security software (virus scan/firewall), and then opening Sitebuilder to see if that is the cause. If not then you'll want to do a clean reinstall.
If that still does not work, then you always have the option of switching to the newer SiteBuilder Plus which is web based so eliminates the installation issues on various OS's.
Mike
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226 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Have you shut down the computer and restarted to see if that clears it up?
Drew
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328 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Any version of Sitebuilder is provided free of charge when you have a website hosting plan. Sitebuilder Plus is the newest version of the program and is designed for more current computers. There is no charge specifically for any Sitebuilder
Thanks
Drew
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302 Points
I have started reducing the sizes of the images before importing them into Sitebuilder rather than importing the full size file and letting Sitebuilder reduce it. Since doing this the program has been stable and with no speed issues.
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
With newer digital cameras, I often see images 5-10 megabytes in size. If you place 2-5 images this large in the site it will cause a significant slow down. Sitebuilder resizes images, but by making a copy, so the original is still on the site. Your process solves for that problem.
Keep in mind, that no matter what your Internet Service Provider says your speed is, they are talking about download speed. They all provide upload speeds that are a fraction of the download speed.
Thanks again Don
Drew
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302 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Thanks for the clarification.
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226 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
You are already using the desktop version. Your images are already pretty well optimized. I think in your case, it is the comparrison process causing the slow down. You have several thousand files to look at for Sitebuilder to load.
We can convert your account to Sitebuilder Plus and your bill will be the same. Just make sure you have published all your changes and let us know you are ready to convert. Then log out of your account. We will let you know when we have completed the conversion.
Thanks
Drew
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226 Points
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226 Points
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
I'll let you know when I have it done.
Drew
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Ok, You can go ahead and log in and Homestead. The log in button is at the top right. Once logged in, click on Websites manager on the left. Select the site you want to edit from the drop down. Wait for the screen to refresh, and then hit the Edit site button.
Thanks
Drew
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1,444 Points
Homestead shuts down on me!.
Why does my homestead site builder shut down? It is driving me around the bend. I have it down load on my computer and I only get perhaps 30 to 60 seconds of doing changes and then a bar comes up and says Sitebuilder needs to close, gerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Any help most appreciated
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
,
There could be a number of reasons for this. Take a look at the clean installation instructions on this topic. Notice at the end there are a list of ".exe" files. In some cases it's the security software on your computer that could be causing the program to stop. You will want to add these files as exceptions to your security software.
Also, you always have the option of converting to SiteBuilder Plus which is web based so eliminates the installation issues. Let us know if you want to change.
Mike
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204 Points
Site Builder LPX.Updater.exe stopped working message.
I have been trying for some time now to access my website and it tells me it needs to update the program so it starts to go through the process and then a message comes up "Site Builder LPX.Updater.exe has stopped working. Windows will close the program until a solution can be found. And the site closes!!!!!!! This is frustrating. Are Homestead having a problem?
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Mike
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328 Points
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Since then, Microsoft has released Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1. With each version it seems that the desktop version is becoming less and less compatible as it's simply not designed to run on the newer operating systems.
Web design and technology in general changes rapidly. In the long run you'll find it in your best interest to switch to the Plus version. Many new websites (and all major browsers), including our SiteBuilder Plus are now using and supporting HTML5 which is becoming the new standard for web design. This is one reason that some of the old elements from the desktop version have been removed from the Plus version. Equally this is what has enable us to add some of the new features such as image handling effects that allow you to rotate, crop, add shadows, frames etc to images. Also, the Plus version will allow you to insert your own custom, or 3rd party HTML5 code which the old version will not.
I hope this helps.
Mike
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294 Points
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
One of the things that most DIY webmasters run into all the time is that most hosting companies have their own proprietary site building software. I don't know of a single one that is compatible with another. So when someone wants to transfer a site from Homestead, or too Homestead, they will always need to rebuild the site with the new companies software. One exception would be if the site were written in code without the use of a website builder which is rarely done these days. Changing from the desktop version to the Plus version has not relevance as far as transferring a site.
Mike
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226 Points
Also the first time I opened SB+ it took such a long time opening my site (it is quite large) that Homestead timed out and shut down and I had to start all over again. It does run better on Internet Explorer than on Google Chrome.
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Sitebuilder Plus will definitely take a longer time to open the first time as it has some work to do from the conversion. It should be faster afterwards, but the larger the site, the slower it will be.
Browser success seems to be pretty variable by user. IT might have to do with various plugins, we are not quite sure, but most people seem to enjoy Firefox the most. That said, if Internet Explorer works for you, then go with it.
There are many things that went into the font decisions with Sitebuilder Plus. Read our topic on fonts. Look for the reponses from Aaron Hopkins. He does a great job of explaining. If you really want additional fonts, Google does have some web based fonts that you should be able to implement, but it does require using some code, which they will provided to you.
If you have further questions about any of this, please create a new topic or search to see if it already exists, as this is a bit off topic for this thread.
Thanks
Drew
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92 Points
Edit Problem.
I have been unable to edit pages on my site. Every time I log in, the program stops working and closes. I have tried several times to restart on log in, but to no avail. Hope there is a solution.
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Mike
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228 Points
Sitebuilder won't load in Windows 8.1.
I upgraded from W8 to 8.1 now site builder won't load
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Thanks
Drew
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80 Points
Given that I've tried all the suggested hints, I guess my only option seems to be to get switched over to Sitebuilder Plus. Can you make that happen?
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Your account has been switched. You can log in to your account at http://www.homestead.com and click on the websites manager tab and then hit edit site.
Thanks
Drew
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364 Points
I want to download sitebuilder to a new computer, it suggests I seem to be using Windows 7 or Vista which isn't the case I have Windows 8.1.
Downloading sitebuilder
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Try these instructions to re-install. We can also switch you to the new Sitebuilder Plus, which is online and doesn't require an installation.
Thanks
Drew
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Thanks
Drew
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80 Points
Mike F., Alum
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184,678 Points
Your account has been converted. Let us know if you have any questions.
Mike
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116 Points
my site builder is not functioning properly. How do I delete it and reload so hopefully it will work.
Will not delete pages (three pages all the same) won't let me add text where I want to. wouldn't allow me to upload a new page.
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82 Points
SiteBuilder keeps freezing when trying to publish a page.
I am trying to publish one page that I have edited and when I try to publish sitebuilder freezes and I have to force close the program.
Drew N, Alum
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262,816 Points
Thanks
Drew
Related Categories
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Sitebuilder Plus
- 132 Conversations
- 968 Followers
Mike F., Alum
You can try acomplete reinstall as shown above if you wish, but my advice would be to use the online SiteBuilder Plus as the best long term solution and avoid all installation/desktop issues.
There's no cost to convert so just let us know if you would like us to make the change.
Mike
Jeremy4089
I did a full factory format on my laptop and did all the updates. Then I followed the new installation steps and SiteBuilder seems to be working on this windows 8.1 laptop. I'll keep using the desktop SiteBuilder since it's working. I'll post if any problems.. Thanks again,
Jeremy
Mike F., Alum