Start11 1.2 Beta 4 Feedback Thread

With the Start11 1.2 Beta 4 release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining the beta:

Object Desktop members can get the beta from within Object Desktop Manager with 'show beta downloads' enabled:

Individual purchases (as well as Object Desktop Members) can also be obtained from your account page:

https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products

As we want as much feedback as possible for this release, we are making Start11 1.2 beta available to all.  The following direct link to the installer can be used for both licensed users and for any potential client wanting to (30 day) trial Start11 1.2 beta.

1.16: https://cdn.stardock.us/downloads/public/software/start/Start11_1.16-j140-Setup.exe
1.17: https://cdn.stardock.us/downloads/public/software/start/Start11_1.17-j151-Setup.exe
1.18: https://cdn.stardock.us/downloads/public/software/start/Start11_1.18-j154-Setup.exe

Reporting an issue:

Please include the following for anything found:

  • Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)
  • Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen
  • Screenshots and videos are very helpful.  Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive services (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube) and link included in your post.  Images can be directly added.
  • If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Start11  a better product.

34,254 views 59 replies
Reply #1 Top

Start11 1.2 Beta 4 Changelog

Start11 1.2 Beta is a culmination of prior (and perhaps future) incremental betas.

The installer will read 1.18 on your product page and in Object Desktop Manager which is expected. 

Start11 1.18 Changelog

3/28/2022
  • Windows 10 style shutdown menu now aligned above button rather than to the right
  • Added delete group prompt when you are using Windows 11 style menu too rather than just Windows 10
  • Fixed issue with text background colour on delete page / group prompt when in dark mode
  • Fixed issue with delete prompts causing the menu to close
  • Tweak to mouse click detection when moving off the right hand side of a multiple monitor taskbar
  • Tweak for loading up icons for PWA when running
  • Fixed issue with tooltips on taskbar items being incorrect sometimes briefly
  • Fixed issue with too dark edges on some universal app icons
  • Tiles images when in Windows 11 mode will now appear smaller unless hide caption is enabled to avoid overlap issues
  • Fixed right click menu selection image being too light in Dark Mode for some menus
  • Now respects OS setting for hide icon badges and flashing
  • Fixed issue with Messenger icon appearing smaller than expected
  • Fixed issue with unexpected truncation of long single words in Win10 style. These will now wrap
3/25/2022
  • Added Mica background effect to config window when used on Windows 11 current beta / dev or above
  • Elevated apps can now be minimized by clicking their button on the taskbar
  • Fixed issue with taskbar at the top on original Windows 11 (non beta/dev channel) causing maximized windows to appear under it
  • Fixed issue with automatic taskbar color when on dev/beta channel Win11 and enhanced taskbar enabled.
  • Fixed issue with taskbar not appearing on top of always on top fullscreen applications when the start button is pressed when enhance taskbar is enabled on Windows 11.
  • Fixed issue with delay to closing Task Manager in Windows 10
Start11 1.17 Changelog
 
03/24/2022
  • On Win11 dev / beta channel (current) it now disables taskbar transparency settings and adds warnings about some taskbar features (blur, colour, texture) to indicate they do not work correctly on that build of Windows. Also small taskbar mode only works if you enable Start11 enhancing the taskbar on those builds.
03/23/2022
  • Fixes for run dialog not having an icon in some versions of Windows
  • Fix for non-English installs of Windows having the quick settings popup clipped when taskbar is at the top
  • Fix for scrolling taskbar not painting a taskbar texture under the scrollbar
  • Fix for taskbar at top in later Windows versions ending up on top of maximized windows if one row high
  • Fix for clicking on the taskbar when at top opening start menu in any blank space
03/22/2022
  • Fixed issue with Turn Windows features on and off in search linking to missing file on non-server editions of Windows
  • Fixed issue with position of Win+N window appearing offset sometimes
  • 'Sometimes' taskbar mode now switches to collapsing items with multiple taskbar buttons into one before it switches to collapsing all when there is insufficient space
03/21/2022
  • Menus are now white in light mode
  • Folders can now have a custom image
  • A-Z sort option added for Win11 groups (does a sort, new items added to end as usual)
  • Custom tiles now can have a custom background color if they use transparency
  • Shutdown button on win7/modern style no longer breaks transparency
  • New labels are no longer shown on Win10/11 menus when you disable showing recently installed apps on that list
  • Taskbar shortcut icons should better respect custom icons now
  • Taskbar should launch correct shortcut on middle click / click of pinned item now
  • Refresh rate detection code tweaked to handle multiple monitor setups better
03/18/2022
  • This fixes an issue with taskbar drag being too sensitive and getting stuck sometimes
  • Fixed an issue with explorer hanging if you had multiple monitors but set windows to only show one taskbar
  • Tweaked touch support
  • Fixed issue with loading up UWA app icons on the taskbar sometimes loading too small an icon
  • Fixed issue with center horz on the taskbar sometimes causing a second row when not needed
  • Fixed issue with calculating how many rows needed being wrong when changed font size on taskbar
  • Config UI now shows disabled center start button option when in S11 taskbar mode to make it clearer that it is disabled
03/17/2022
  • Internal version number changed to 1.17
  • Changes: Fixes jumplist going offscreen sometimes
  • Fixes issue with custom start button and enhanced taskbar getting clipped
  • Fixed right-click menu on taskbar on Win10 would use wrong scale factor sometimes
  • Adds in icons for shutdown/sign out menus
  • Clicking a pinned item when the app is running but on another monitor will now launch a new instance
  • Middle-click on explorer will now launch a new instance
  • The Calendar popup should be working reliably again
  • New option to hide taskbar text whilst still being ungrouped
  • New option to control font size on taskbar buttons
  • Fixed issue with small taskbar having clock offset vertically
  • Added option to hide tile text in Win10 menu regardless of having a tile image set
  • Added option to never load the app provided tile image for a tile
  • Fixed an issue with the taskbar not showing all items when the vertically centre mode wasn't enabled
  • Fixed taskbar insert indicator so it paints when you go to the far end
  • Fixed taskbar dragging when in combine mode so the icon paints consistently when dragged
  • Fixed issue with taskbar when running tiles so a gap isn't left
  • Fixed issue with taskbar picking up wrong scale factor and wrong position after a screen res change sometimes
  • Fixed missing icon for some pinned web apps

Start11 1.16 Changelog

03/15/22
  • This fixes a GDI resource leak
  • Fixes overlay icons on the taskbar buttons not working (like email count)
  • Fixes a problem with resizing the menu causing the taskbar to resize
  • Fixes a problem with the animation code which might be why the blur paints top of the screen on occasion for some people
  • Fixes combine mode so when clicking on a group it doesn't simply launch another copy of the app if you have > 1 window open of that app
03/14/22
  • Fixes for an issue with the taskbar not repositioning correctly when res changes
  • Fixes issue with the taskbar not responding when changing scale factor on the primary display
  • Fixes issue with clock shifting to the left of the secondary taskbar sometimes
  • Adds in support for turning ON taskbar feature without an explorer restart (off still needs a restart of explorer) and UI now offers to turn it on for first run. 
  • Config UI adds in setting for stopping highlighting new apps for Win7/10 style as this went missing in S11
  • ​Adds setting cog on the main page for configure menu as this was missing and buy Start11 option shows in config when not activated. 
03/12/22
  • Version updated to 1.16
  • Mis position of Win+X menu, missing icon for grouped steam when > 1 window open
  • Two taskbar buttons for some apps (adobe acrobat)
  • Click on a taskbar button doesn't minimize an app (some delphi apps)

Start11 1.15 Changelog

  • New option to let Start11 manage the Taskbar - found under Taskbar settings.
  • This build contains a new taskbar experience that allows for items to be ungrouped on Windows 11 only. The setting is under Taskbar with three options to combine - Always, Sometimes, and Never
  • There are additional options under "More Start11 taskbar settings" that let the user define additional options that are also new in this build.
  • New Start11 menu selection experience.
Reply #2 Top

Known Issues

  • Touch support was not changed for this build. Issues with touch are still under investigation
  • Win10 not always centering taskbar buttons for some (need more data \ reports if still seen)
Reply #3 Top

With the release of Start11 1.2 RC 1, we are closing this thread.

Thanks to all that took the time to test and provide feedback.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #4 Top

The quick settings are still cut off in this build when the taskbar is on top. Running 22000.556. It does seem slightly less cut off this time.

Reply #5 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 1

Fixed issue with automatic taskbar color when on dev/beta channel Win11 and enhanced taskbar enabled

Adds a much needed level of stability to the taskbar for beta channel users. :thumbsup:  

Question: Is transparency and texture something that Microsoft killed off with their updated taskbar or is that something that can be fixed at a later date?

Quoting sdRohan, reply 1

Tiles images when in Windows 11 mode will now appear smaller unless hide caption is enabled to avoid overlap issues

The tiles look good when "hide caption" is enabled. But I feel that when there are captions the icons are spaced too far apart from one another.

Reply #6 Top

 

Start 11 v1.2 beta 4, Windows 11 22000.556, Windows 10 style taskbar - issues with the Start, Widget and Search buttons on a Surface Laptop Studio- the buttons are responsive to touch input when using fingers, but not when using the Surface Pen. All's ok if "Let Start11 enhance the taskbar" is disabled. 

@NeilB Couldn't respond to your question as the 1.17 beta thread is now closed, but yes apps in the taskbar are responsive. Additionally, pen input isn't working  for any of the tray items either.

Edit: I can reproduce this issue 100% on a Surface Book2 and a Samsung Galaxy Book360 using the latest Beta 4 build

Edit2: Custom start buttons respond to pen input (and only the start button, the widget, search and tray icons are still unresponsive), but start button again stops responding once I turn the "Use a custom start button image" button off    

 

 

Reply #7 Top

Confirmed that elevated programs can now be minimized. 

Also confirmed the taskbar texture is now painting properly.

I've noticed a bug when using groupy and opening 4+ programs it crashes explorer but only if using taskbar enhance mode of S11. Not sure if this is just a compatibility issue with S11+Groupy or not. 

 

Basically what happens is each of the apps start to open and get a new button but after opening them all explorer crashes and you end up with a button for each despite having the single button option on in groupy settings.

Reply #8 Top

When minimizing windows they always animate to the left despite having the icons centered horizontally.

Turning on the Center option in taskbar settings (Windows not S11) animates the start button to the center but then animates back a few seconds later.

 

When minimizing a window from the taskbar button no other top level window is made active. It is if you minimize via the caption buttons

Reply #9 Top

Quoting Narusegawa, reply 8

When minimizing windows they always animate to the left despite having the icons centered horizontally.

Turning on the Center option in taskbar settings (Windows not S11) animates the start button to the center but then animates back a few seconds later.

 

When minimizing a window from the taskbar button no other top level window is made active. It is if you minimize via the caption buttons

The centre option reverting is expected and normal.

Reply #10 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 9


Quoting Narusegawa Naru,

When minimizing windows they always animate to the left despite having the icons centered horizontally.

Turning on the Center option in taskbar settings (Windows not S11) animates the start button to the center but then animates back a few seconds later.

 

When minimizing a window from the taskbar button no other top level window is made active. It is if you minimize via the caption buttons



The centre option reverting is expected and normal.

Understood. 

Reply #11 Top

With mine set to enhance taskbar the taskbar still becomes unresponsive when a file copy dialogue is open, unless the copy is paused. I've had this issue on 1.16 (the first one I ever tried) through 1.18 now.

With 1.18 the behavior changed slightly. Instead of becoming unresponsive immediately every single time, it now occasionally (half the time maybe) stays active until I click any single item on the taskbar, then it becomes unresponsive until the file copy is either finished or paused. 

Edit/Addition: I've actually noticed slightly different behavior with 1.18. It's not totally unresponsive. It actually just becomes super sluggish and slow to respond. If I hover my mouse over a taskbar icon long enough it'll eventually give the proper animation and allow me to click it. And it seems if the file copy is large enough and I just give it some time (a minute or more) the taskbar slowly becomes responsive again. 

Windows 11 Pro 21H2 22000.556

Thank you. 

Reply #12 Top

Context menu of a taskbar pinned shortcut is shifted left partially off screen


Configuration

  • OS: Windows 22000.556, x64
  • Start11 1.8b in Windows 10 mode with Start11 toolbar enhancement enabled.
  • HP Spectre 360 16" notebook with Intel XeLP on-package GPU (Gen11, Tiger Lake H), driver 30.0.100.9864.
  • Single display (notebook's own panel), 3840×2400 native, with 200% "enhanced" scaling (the default, as opposed to "legacy" 8.1-compatible scaling, going by the name "Custom scaling" in Windows 10 and 11 System/Display options).
  • Generally, Start11 is set up to retain Windows 10 look and functionality, except Windows 11 search is used. In particular, the toolbar is left-aligned.
  • Taskbar icon behavior is set to "Always merge."

Reproduction

1. Pin a program second from the left, immediately to the right of the Start button.
2. Close the program and make sure no other copies are running.
3. Right-click the pinned icon. The menu is partially shifted left off screen (Fig. 1).
4. Launch the program and invoke the context menu again. Note that while the program is running, its menu is displayed normally (Fig. 2).
5. Repeat steps 2 then 3. Menu is off-screen for an inactive program's shortcut again.

Now we're likely onto something:

6. Verify the pinned program is inactive, launch Start 11 configuration and click on "Restart Explorer" in its Toolbar Configuration.
7. Right-click the pinned icon. The issue does not happen (normal menu like (Fig. 2).
8. Without any intervening action, such as closing the menu, right-click the icon again. The menu is now off-screen (Fig, 1).

The issue reproduces always and with any program, in both Small and Medium taskbar settings.

Screenshots

The images have been scaled down 2:1 to compensate for the 200% screen scaling.
A dark-blue border is added by the capture utility.

 


Fig 1. Pin's menu. The left edge of the
screenshot coincides with the left edge of
the screen.The menu is clipped.
Fig 2. Running program's menu. The Left side
of the screenshot is slightly away from the left
edge of the screen. Menu is not clipped, as expected.

 

Reply #13 Top

I noticed that the S11 Settings content is missing when viewing it in Peek (Just the peek image in the thumbnail) in the image the left shows the thumbnail when the window is restored. On the right is when it's minimized. Notice the content of the page is missing. Its only in the thumbnail and not the peek when you hover it. 

Also I noticed that the screen snip tool gets a button but doesnt under the windows taskbar (non enhanced that is)

 

ScreenGrab

Peek Thumbnail

** EDIT **

I've also noticed that when you minimize any window from the taskbar button first that window will loose focus an then minimize instead of just minimizing straight off like the std taskbar does.

Reply #14 Top

FEATURE REQUEST: Default tile size on the Windows 10 menu


This had been by peeve point with the original W10 menu, and Start11 does not seem to have this option either.

Practically all of my tiles are small. When I pin a new tile to the Start menu, the tile has the default size, medium. It is slapped into the bottom-most group of icons, and reshuffles them. So every time I pin something, I not only I have to resize the new tile (3 levels deep in its context menu, but also rearrange the messed up group.

Would it be so hard to add an option for the default size of a new tile? I noticed a new option in Start menu/Configuration, “Shortcut icon should be sized...” in the Advanced rolldown, but it does not do what I thought. Maybe just use its value as the default for the newly pinned tiles?

Thanks you!

Reply #15 Top

Start 11 ver 1.18 does not load all Startup items on Windows 10.

After the startup process begins, the screen flashes (not normal behavior) and then starts, but does not load all the Startup items. There are also many other startup items which are not normally displayed in the System Tray which are not loading.

Start 11 ver. 1.18 (above)

Start 11 ver. 1.17 (above)

 

System Info.

Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎2/‎29/‎2020

OS build 19044.1620

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

 

 

Reply #16 Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 15

Start 11 ver 1.18 does not load all Startup items on Windows 10.

After the startup process begins, the screen flashes (not normal behavior) and then starts, but does not load all the Startup items. There are also many other startup items which are not normally displayed in the System Tray which are not loading.



Start 11 ver. 1.18 (above)



Start 11 ver. 1.17 (above)

 

System Info.

Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎2/‎29/‎2020

OS build 19044.1620

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

 

 

Start11 should have no impact what so ever on that.  It doesn't extend the taskbar and neither does it launch or display those icons.

I would recommend a reboot and see if it continues to be an issue.  The most likely explanation would be explorer crashed at some point and those apps didn't recreate their taskbar buttons.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 16


Quoting pelaird,

Start 11 ver 1.18 does not load all Startup items on Windows 10.

After the startup process begins, the screen flashes (not normal behavior) and then starts, but does not load all the Startup items. There are also many other startup items which are not normally displayed in the System Tray which are not loading.



Start 11 ver. 1.18 (above)



Start 11 ver. 1.17 (above)

 

System Info.

Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎2/‎29/‎2020

OS build 19044.1620

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

 

 



Start11 should have no impact what so ever on that.  It doesn't extend the taskbar and neither does it launch or display those icons.

I would recommend a reboot and see if it continues to be an issue.  The most likely explanation would be explorer crashed at some point and those apps didn't recreate their taskbar buttons.

I rebooted several times to see if that had any impact and it did not.

It's not that the icons are not displayed in the System Tray, the Startup items are not loaded! None of the Startup items are loaded including MS OneDrive, Logitech Logi Options, iTunes Helper, Epson Status monitor, etc. They each have to be started manually after a reboot. This is a new issue with the update to 1.18.

I created a Restore Point before the update and after running the restore to 1.17, everything is working as it should.

Reply #18 Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 17

I rebooted several times to see if that had any impact and it did not.

It's not that the icons are not displayed in the System Tray, the Startup items are not loaded! None of the Startup items are loaded including MS OneDrive, Logitech Logi Options, iTunes Helper, Epson Status monitor, etc. They each have to be started manually after a reboot. This is a new issue with the update to 1.18.

I created a Restore Point before the update and after running the restore to 1.17, everything is working as it should.

And if Start11 is not installed...?

Things to check as well:

-In event viewer, is anything showing to be crashing?

-Are they still set to load in StartUp (for the items that are not services):

Are their services (for the ones that have them) set to auto-start still? Example:

I ask as you may have had a Windows update as well that changed some things. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #19 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 18


Quoting pelaird,

I rebooted several times to see if that had any impact and it did not.

It's not that the icons are not displayed in the System Tray, the Startup items are not loaded! None of the Startup items are loaded including MS OneDrive, Logitech Logi Options, iTunes Helper, Epson Status monitor, etc. They each have to be started manually after a reboot. This is a new issue with the update to 1.18.

I created a Restore Point before the update and after running the restore to 1.17, everything is working as it should.



And if Start11 is not installed...?

Things to check as well:

-In event viewer, is anything showing to be crashing?

-Are they still set to load in StartUp (for the items that are not services):


Are their services (for the ones that have them) set to auto-start still? Example:

Reduced 93%
Original 902 x 119


I ask as you may have had a Windows update as well that changed some things. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

There are multiple errors in the event viewer. The Reliability Monitor shows Windows Explorer crashing upon each reboot. There is one instance of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe crashing. All of the Startup items as listed in the Task manager are still set to load. All of their services are still set to auto-start.

As I said, during the initial phase of restart, Windows explorer crashes.

Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎2/‎29/‎2020

OS build 19044.1620

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz   4.20 GHz

Installed RAM 32.0 GB

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

 

Reply #20 Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 19

There are multiple errors in the event viewer. The Reliability Monitor shows Windows Explorer crashing upon each reboot. There is one instance of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe crashing.

That's what was suspected - now to see if you still see them if 1.18 is not installed or the Start11 service is disabled and you restart. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #21 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 20


Quoting pelaird,

There are multiple errors in the event viewer. The Reliability Monitor shows Windows Explorer crashing upon each reboot. There is one instance of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe crashing.



That's what was suspected - now to see if you still see them if 1.18 is not installed or the Start11 service is disabled and you restart. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

As I said, with 1.17 running, there are no issues. The event viewer shows no errors, and the Reliability Monitor shows no new Windows Explorer crashes.

Reply #22 Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 21


Quoting sdRohan,






Quoting pelaird,



There are multiple errors in the event viewer. The Reliability Monitor shows Windows Explorer crashing upon each reboot. There is one instance of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe crashing.



That's what was suspected - now to see if you still see them if 1.18 is not installed or the Start11 service is disabled and you restart. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager



As I said, with 1.17 running, there are no issues. The event viewer shows no errors, and the Reliability Monitor shows no new Windows Explorer crashes.

Are you able to provide an example of the explorer crash info in event viewer?

Reply #23 Top

Quoting Neil, reply 22

Are you able to provide an example of the explorer crash info in event viewer?

Windbg captures would be even better:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windbg-preview/9pgjgd53tn86#activetab=pivot:overviewtab

I can help you with making it the default debugger if you like.  PM me if so. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #24 Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 23


Quoting Neil Banfield,

Are you able to provide an example of the explorer crash info in event viewer?



Windbg captures would be even better:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windbg-preview/9pgjgd53tn86#activetab=pivot:overviewtab

I can help you with making it the default debugger if you like.  PM me if so. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

8:05:30 Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, version: 10.0.19041.1620, time stamp: 0x843d9db1

Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 10.0.19041.1566, time stamp: 0x1be73aa8

Exception code: 0xc0000005

Fault offset: 0x0000000000063416

Faulting process id: 0x3744

Faulting application start time: 0x01d8436da69b553d

Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll

Report Id: f03ab305-9370-4247-84aa-c932fd214eda

Faulting package full name: 

Faulting package-relative application ID: 

 

8:05:32 Fault bucket , type 0

Event Name: APPCRASH

Response: Not available

Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:

P1: Explorer.EXE

P2: 10.0.19041.1620

P3: 843d9db1

P4: ntdll.dll

P5: 10.0.19041.1566

P6: 1be73aa8

P7: c0000005

P8: 0000000000063416

P9: 

P10: 

 

8:05:33 The shell stopped unexpectedly and explorer.exe was restarted.

Reply #25 Top

When right-clicking on an open window in the taskbar when windows are ungrouped, need an option to Close Window instead of (or in addition to) Close All Windows.

Also need to be able to drag to rearrange windows within a group in the taskbar (as with 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, which no longer runs with new Start11 replacing Explorer Patcher).