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EscapedArtist
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Start11 reverts back to Windows 11 menu at every reboot

January 21, 2024 7:18:33 AM from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I have Start11 (great product except this issue) on two Windows 11 machines (one desktop and one laptop). Every time I reset either of these computers, Start11 no longer functions and my menu comes up as a Windows 11 native setup. The only way I have found to get Start11 back functioning is to uninstall it and then reinstall it. It does not work to just reinstall it without first uninstalling it. However, I do not have to remove my settings when I uninstall.

Because I have this on two very different machines, I can't imagine more people are not having the same issue, so I suspect a setting that I have that is unique. But, I really have no idea how to keep it from happening.

 

These are some basic settings I have:

- Windows 7 style (compact)

- Use a custom start button image (using your uparrow, left aligned)

- Enhanced taskbar is on (never combine)

- Use Start11 search

start menu products
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basj
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #1 January 21, 2024 7:33:33 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know few more details on your system.

  1. Windows 11 full version number. Use Winver.exe.
  2. Start11 version number installed.
  3. If you don't use Custom start button, does the issue resolved itself?

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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pelaird
Join Date 12/2018
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Reply #2 January 21, 2024 11:25:29 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Try this:

Restart your computer.

Now open Task Manger and click Services in the left panel. Scroll down the list to Start11 and check the Status. It should say running. If it says stopped, right click Start11 in this list an select Open Services.

Now scroll down to Stardock Start11 and check the Startup Type. It should say Automatic.

If not, right click this listing and select Properties. Now set the Startup Type to Automatic and click Apply and then Okay.

Close the Services window and close Task Manager.

Now, Restart and see if Start11 works.

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EscapedArtist
EscapedArtist
Join Date 01/0001
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Reply #3 January 24, 2024 4:53:29 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Winver: 22621.3007

Windows 11 Home

Start11 version: 2.03

I'll check those settings and let you know how it goes.

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EscapedArtist
EscapedArtist
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Reply #4 January 26, 2024 6:25:02 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

- I turned off the Custom Start Button and Start11 remains non-functional after reboot

- It was running in services and is set to Startup Type: Automatic

Other suggestions?

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pelaird
Join Date 12/2018
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Reply #5 January 26, 2024 6:57:53 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Check the "Control" section of the Start11v2 settings. Make sure they are set to open the Start11 menu.

If the control is set to open the Start11 menu, then something is really wrong here.

What happens if you just restart Explorer?

Try resetting the the settings back to default. Go to "Settings and Backup" in the Start11 settings and click "Reset settings."

If all else fails, try the Purge and reinstall process.  https://forums.stardock.com/505872/start11-support-faq#reinstalling

Report back here if none of these suggestions work.

 

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EscapedArtist
EscapedArtist
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Reply #6 January 26, 2024 8:25:47 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

The control section of Start11 settings are all on "Start11 menu". All the switches on this page are on except "Open the start11 menu on the screen the mouse pointer is on".

Restarting Windows Explorer does not cause the problem. Only a reboot causes the problem. 

Since this is happening on both of my machines, it would seem the problem is caused by something that I have set on my machines that you are not used to. The way I came to the Start11 application is by using this "hack" by howtogeek. It is the only thing that seems suspect. So this was done on both machines (for years) before Start11. But a particular Windows 11 security update destroys that functionality so I'm abandoning it for Start11.

I was going to start backing out the "hack" setup to see if it would fix my Start11 problem, but it seems you are using the C:\Users\Brice\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu

and that was part of the "hack" setup. I don't know how you knew how to populate my menu with my applications but can only assume it is this directory. 

Let me know if this makes any sense or if you have other ideas.

Thanks.

 

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EscapedArtist
EscapedArtist
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Reply #7 January 26, 2024 8:31:44 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Part of getting my old toolbar on Windows 11 was to run this application called explorer patcher. Let me know if that could be the problem.

 

https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

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pelaird
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Reply #8 January 26, 2024 8:38:17 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

ExplorerPatcher is not totally compatible with Start11. Every Windows Update breaks EP and then causes problems. My suggestion would be to uninstall EP.

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EscapedArtist
EscapedArtist
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Reply #9 January 26, 2024 1:17:50 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Bingo! Thanks so much for your attention. Let me know if there is a best place to leave you and Start11 a review. 

 

 

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pelaird
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Reply #10 January 26, 2024 1:29:00 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Glad we got to the root of your problem. Just click the karma "thumbs up" in the footer of this post.

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PixelPirates
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Reply #11 March 7, 2025 12:52:29 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Came here with the same problem and the same solution   

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