XD on Windows is atrocious

Report · Mar 27, 2023

I've never been so frustrated with an application in my life. Things that worked perfectly and smoothly on mac simply does not work on windows 11.

I had to switch platforms for my work computer from Mac to Windows. I did not have any concern with doing so as I am quite familiar with both Windows and Mac. However, exver since getting the new laptop and using XD, I've experienced headache after headache.

One of the major issues is that I am CONSTANTLY running into (every 5-10 minutes) is where I cannot type anywhere within the application unless I either restart the application or go to a different app, type something there, then go back to XD and it starts working again. However this is only a temporary fix. I have to do that over and over again.

XD in windows will also freeze multiple times a day, particularly if I am working in a cloud document that is being co-edited.

Lastly, I am working with files that were originally created in mac that have several prototype links. Most of the time, after making minor changes, I am unable to update the existing link. It just sits at 50% progress and eventually throws "Error 44:124". I can create new links from new artboards, but even creating a brand new link for existing artboards, those links eventually become broken and I cannot update them with the same error.

These issues have been infuriating and I am clearly not the only one experiencing these issues given the multiple posts from other users having the same problems.

These issues need to be fixed. I am extremely close to convincing my work to cancel our Creative Cloud subscription for apps that actually work.

Report · Mar 27, 2023

Hey there. I understand your frustration, we've been dealing with these issues for the past 3 years or so, particularly the text engine breaking randomly all the time. (You only need to alt+tab to a different app and back to Xd, no need to type in it, but it's still not a solution, yes). Adobe's input on that has been that they're "waiting on Microsoft for a fix", but nothing has been resolved in that regard. On top of that there've been plenty of reports of Xd not working very well on Windows 11 too.

On the network error issue, I'm afraid I can't provide any useful info - it has been discussed, but I don't know of a particular fix that'll work - people had it resolve on its own or at least not report back on how they fixed it. You can check out some troubleshooting steps from this help page.

Right now the only updates Xd receives are some minor bug fixes and improvements, likely due to the uncertainty around Adobe's acquisition of Figma. So until that situation resolves, I think it's unlikely anything big will be updated / added to Xd.

Report · Mar 28, 2023

Thanks for your reply and the info about Alt-Tab. I read elsewhere users had to type in a different application so I just immediately went to that.

I understand about the uncertainty surrounding the future with Figma and XD. It's just sad this has been an issue for several years and they still haven't fixed it. And a bug is a bug. It shouldn't matter if it's big or small and if they're still supporting the use of XD, they should fix it. Seems like if Adobe really is going to abandon support for XD, they need to pull the trigger and announce end-of-life and point people to Figma.

Report · Mar 28, 2023

Well, if the acquisition doesn't go through, they might have to stick to Xd and develop it further. It's a bit of a shame how Xd had the lead for a time, but the decision to base it on Windows UWP and make it some sort of a "light" app only created a snowball of issues. I assume the problem with the text engine is big enough for them to try avoid investing in it at all costs and shift the responsibility to Microsoft.