Stardock Forums
With the Start11 v2.11 release, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.
Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Start11 v2 a better product.
Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager
I am sorry you feel this way, but it's time to upgrade!
The first non-beta version (0.95) of Start11 was released in October of 2021, and the most recent update (1.55) was released in August of 2024. If you do the math, that's three years of support. This is well within the life cycle of most productivity software.
On September 9, 2024, Sean Drohan, Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager stated:
"The 'force' is Microsoft, aspliid. While we have made efforts to ensure their changes do not totally break Star11 v1, Start11 v2 is the currently actively developed version and should be used to keep pace."
Which I take to mean that Stardock has made every effort to keep Start11v1 working as long as they could, but with all the changes made to Windows 11 over the last three years, it has become untenable to continue to support.
I just checked and the Upgrade price for Start11v2 is $3.99US. I know you are in Mexico, so the actual price may be different.
If you are unwilling, or unable to make this upgrade, you will have to live with the issues you have reported.
Having to pay again to resolve bugs seems unfortunate to me, and even worse if those bugs are a long time old.
And I could name countless more that do charge for substantial upgrades (but you know that).
Its unfortunate that you do not see the value in Start11 v2 or appreciate the business model that helps us produce it at all. However, if there is nothing attractive about Start11 V2, we totally understand if you wish to keep using V1. We, as we always have, will try to support Start11 v1 from catestrophic obsticals MS may introduce.
Thanks for the feedback, adrianrr.
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Basically Start11 v2 is what Start11 should have been from the beginning, and Start11 became Start11 lite.
I know you are trying to find a balance between effort, dedication and obviously profit, but understand consumers. I am not the only one who complained about this situation, and you know it.
Anyway, thanks for responding and for the effort and dedication.
It is a hard situation. Perhaps, one of the more overlooked problems from people that do not see the hardships of developing software for windows 11 is that Microsoft has been almost unfriendly towards third party modifications this life cycle. Certainly, the cost of maintaining start 11 has skyrocketed because Microsoft just can not sit still with what they want Windows 11 to do. Quite frankly, the status quo is broken because of this. Developing start 11 at a loss (which I am guessing is very possible) isn't a sustainable option. So if making a new version with new features isn't the answer to offset these new costs then what do you propose the answer be?
It is a hard situation. Perhaps, one of the more overlooked problems from people that do not see the hardships of developing software for windows 11 is that Microsoft has been almost unfriendly towards third party modifications this life cycle. Certainly, the cost of maintaining start 11 has skyrocketed because Microsoft just can not sit still with what they want Windows 11 to do. Quite frankly, the status quo is broken because of this. Developing start 11 at a loss (which I am guessing is very possible) isn't a sustainable option. So if making a new version with new features isn't the answer to offset these new costs then what do you propose the answer be?
This way there would be a Start program for all tastes and budgets.
And indeed Microsoft has no direction steady with Windows 11 (nor had it with Windows 10).
Most likely the same thing will happen with Windows 12. I hope I'm wrong.
Try purge and reinstall using the instructions found here.
https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1349320730/Start+Menu+purging+and+re-installing
Hi, I tried this and it did the same thing. I then searched everywhere including the registry and deleted everything Stardock. I restarted the computer and installed the Object Desktop software again and it does the same thing. I'm going to reinstall Windows on a different drive in the next few weeks and see what happens. Thanks
I have seen this installation fail before using the OD installer. Try downloading the individual installer from your Account downloads page.
https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products
Repeat the process you used above to remove Start11v2 and use individual installer to perform the installation.
Try this and report back. Good Luck! 
With respect, how anyone could view the evidence to the contrary and claim that baffles me.
I am afraid with that logic, no one would ever release software as it would be a continuous stream of 'let's wait until next year to see what MS changes."
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
It's obvious that no one is going to convince you that Start11 version 2 is a major upgrade worthy of purchase.
I just want to let you know that I personally support Stardock however I can, because I want to see new and updated products as Windows moves forward. Purchasing Start11v2, even though I owned v1, was a pleasure for me, because I wanted to help support their efforts. For me, I found the new features significant, and that they changed they way I interface with my computer. I use the Windows 10 style and have over 200 shortcuts to the files, folders, and apps that I access regularly. These shortcuts are all on one page, which makes accessing them much easier for me. I also use custom icons extensively, so having Start11v2 has made this much easier. I have posted a screenshot of my start menu below.
I also subscribe to WinCustomize, again because I want to support all the effort put into maintaining this site. I download a lot of content from this site.
Wow... you win the Start11 v2 menu fashion \ usage show, hands down 😎
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Thanks Sean,
I like to keep my desktop clean, because I use it to display art. I am able to get to anything I need very quickly thanks to Start11v2. I use a programable button on my mouse to open the start menu, and then the most common apps, files, and folders are one click away. Less used apps, files, and folders require two clicks.
As I said, Start11v2 has improved the way I interface with my computer in so many ways. Thanks for all the great work!
pelaird
Hi, a question is it possible to insert a separator between two icons in a created group?
Or put a distant icon so as to create an empty space between the first and second icon.
thanks
@pelaird can you make a short video of a few seconds of when you open the start for the first time when you start the computer? Do the icons load immediately? or does it have that second to load all the icons?
Because every time I start Windows for the first time and open the start menu it has to load the icons for a moment and then they are visible, I was told that the problem could be the fact that I have too many icons in the start.
You said that you have more than 200 icons, I wanted to understand if it did the same to you. thanks
I mean this
Yes, if I restart explorer or restart my computer, the first time I open the start11 menu, it takes a second to load all the shortcut icons. This is to be expected as all my icons are custom. On subsequent openings, the start menu loads instantly.
This has never bothered me, as it’s completely understandable.
Qty is a factor but where those items \ shortcuts are located is as well. If they are on remote storage (on the network), that would be a factor as well.
Also 'starting Windows for the 1st time' has a lost of stuff going on, often crushing overall PC performance until it is done spinning up. I would be more concerned if you could reproduce this after.
I don't want to get too far into this on a release thread (as its not germane to the release itself). If you want to investigate further, I would ask that you create a new thread for it.
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Hello,
I believe that is possible, just need to turn off "auto arrange" and you can arrange your icons to any position you wish. You don't need spacer/icon for it.
Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.
Is there still no way to move the MS Copilot icon from the very far right, center on the taskbar with v2.11? If not will this ever be able to be done or did MS make it where it can't be moved anywhere but there? Whoever at MS thought that was a great place for it should be fired!
Windows 23H2 build 22631.4169
You should be able to unpin Copilot from your taskbar. Pin it to your Start menu, and you will still have access.
are you on the same version of windows 11? Not sure if you are how you are doing that. I can't right click and unpin it, it's only allowing me to go into the taskbar settings under windows, and enabled it or not (Personalization-Task Bar) turn on or off. No way to move it or pin/unpin, etc, unless I'm missing something.. When enabled it will only show up on the very far right, can't do anything with it other than disable on my end.
Sorry about that. I thought this had been added to the 23H2 release version. Copilot is now a separate app, rather than part of the Windows OS. I’m on the Beta channel.
oh okay I knew something wasn't right on my end. I had no idea they made it into a separate app either, thanks for the info, at least I know at some point I'll be able to move it from the far right, just now have to wait it seems
FYI, yesterday the search box started acting oddly. I am no longer able to type within the search box. When I try it seems to go off and search and eventually closes.
Start 11 version 2.11
Win11Pro version 23h2, build 22631.4249
Do I just need to do a repair install, or such?
Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please post a video showing your issue.
Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.
Good day, Basj.
I was able to create a video of the behavior. However, I am uncomfortable publicly posting a video of my desktop showing my username, etc.
Would you please provide me with the contact information necessaray to reach a tech support person directly so that I may register my problem with Stardock and privately provide them with the video evidence?
I have tried an uninstall and reinstall Start11, no improvement. I have also disabled the MS search box. I get the same failure from Start11 Search. I also have toggled the WIN11 indexing settings to see if that fixed anything. It did not.
I have found that searches with Flow Launcher work smoothly.
Thank you
You could upload the video somewhere and PMed me the link so that I can view it. click on my avatar or user name a menu as you seen below will open up.
Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant
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