Start11 2.60 Release Feedback

from Stardock Forums

With the Start11 2.60 release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining the product

Object Desktop members can get the release from within Object Desktop Manager 

Individual purchases (as well as Object Desktop Members) can also be obtained from your account page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products

For guest check-out purchase (no account), from this link: http://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval

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 service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post.  Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.

  • 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.

start menu products
15,672 views 83 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Start11 v2.60 Changelog (Released 01/28/2026)

Date

01/28/2026

Version

UI: 2.6
File Version: 2.6.0.2

Changes

  • Adds one new string to the lng file

  • Extends S11 backups to include MMTaskbarMode and TaskbarAl OS values

  • Adds support for the OS DisableContextMenusInStart value 

  • Adds in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_DisableAllAppsButton="1" which disables access to the all apps button

  • Adds in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_RDPShowSignout="1" which allows RDP clients to see the signout option

  • Adds in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_HideShutdownOption="1" which hides the shutdown entry from the power menu for Win10+ styles

  • Adds in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_RDPShowReboot="1" which allows RDP clients to see the reboot option

  • Adds in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_DisableMenuResizing="1" which stops the user from being able to resize the menu.

  • uk.lng localization updated, credit: https://github.com/velorom

  • de.lng localizations updated. Credit: https://github.com/thomaskelso

  • All other tooltip localizations updated

  • Resolved issue with enhanced taskbar becoming slow to respond if a very large file transfer was in progress (there may have been other triggers too)

  • Added registry key to force disable the OS thumbnails window on the taskbar.  It can be made to show holding down Ctrl before hovering on the taskbar button).  Key is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8 name is S11_HideTBPopups and should have a value of "1"

  • Added reg key to force S11 to believe SAB is running.  This may help with an incompatibility report if the issue was due to a detection issue, though we do not know if thats the case  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_FORCESABOptOut = "1"

  • Tweaked tooltips on quick access shortcuts list to show name rather than original tooltips for menu styles where no text label is shown.

  • Added those tooltips to the en.lng file as they had been missing

  • Polish translations updated, Credit: https://github.com/FadeMind

  • Fixed typo in en-us.lng file

  • Resolved issue with filter bar in search still showing internet option when internet search link disabled

  • Tweaked autohide code to resolve issue with a black line when using left or right taskbars on Win11

  • Tweaked search filter bar to filter by file type rather than category for images / docs / music files

  • Added registry key to hide all signout etc options from shutdown menu. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8\S11_HideAllSignoutItems = "1"

  • Resolved issue with all apps search field showing incorrectly in some menu styles

  • Made text on all apps search in dark mode less dark

  • Tweaked text colour detection logic for start menu when in dark mode for system but not apps

  • Resolved issue with taskbar not picking up correct colour when using a forced start menu colour sometimes

  • Resolved painting issue on top of rounded top of Win11 style menu

  • 10) Tweak to how clicking on taskbar buttons when using enhanced taskbar in combine mode handles switching between open windows in certain situations

  • Resolved issue with taskbar thumbnails sometimes causing maximized mode to be detected and likewise language picker from the taskbar

  • Resolved issue where viewing a taskbar thumbnail could cause an extra taskbar button to appear briefly.

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Known issues

While we appreciate all feedback, please remember that we offer no official support for beta \ preview \ developer channel versions of Windows. If you report issues while in any of those early release channels, you should not expect them to be addressed unless it still exists in a retail version of Windows.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello! Please tell me why there is still no link to this new version, but only a link to the beta version is available?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting selesn777, reply 4

Hello! Please tell me why there is still no link to this new version, but only a link to the beta version is available?

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. It should be there in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. If it don't show up there please post a screenshot showing us what actually appear in there for you. 

Note: please blank off all license keys before posting the screenshot.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, glad to hear that.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I still see this issue when I have the enhanced taskbar turned on.  The badge on the taskbar icon is blank.  It's not just for Teams other apps present the same issue.  I just have this capture to illustrate it at the moment.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Low351, reply 9

I still see this issue when I have the enhanced taskbar turned on.  The badge on the taskbar icon is blank.  It's not just for Teams other apps present the same issue.  I just have this capture to illustrate it at the moment.


Just curious. Do the badges appear correctly when you have the Advanced taskbar set to Always Combine?

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

It happens on multiple PCs so I don't think it's specific to my environment.  This Laptop is Windows 11 Enterprise but my PC is Windows 11 Pro

Laptop

OS Name Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise

Version 10.0.26100 Build 26100

Desktop

OS Name Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

Version 10.0.26200 Build 26200

 

 

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Hmm, Nice suggestion, They do appear fine when I set to always combine.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

And when I switched back to never combine it stayed working.  I'll see what happens when it get updated.  Thanks!

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

After the update, Start11 is not working regardless of how I configure the software settings or restart the computer.

When I press the Win key or click the Win icon in the bottom-left corner with my mouse, only the standard official Windows 11 Start menu appears. The taskbar icons have also defaulted to left-aligned (even though I have them set to center-aligned).

Start11 has been working fine on my computer until now. Is there any way to roll back to a previous version?

 

  • Edition: Windows 11 Home China
  • Version: 24H2
  • Install Date: 2025/7/24
  • OS Build: 26100.7623

 

  • Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.275.0
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting zzzk, reply 14

After the update, Start11 is not working regardless of how I configure the software settings or restart the computer.

When I press the Win key or click the Win icon in the bottom-left corner with my mouse, only the standard official Windows 11 Start menu appears. The taskbar icons have also defaulted to left-aligned (even though I have them set to center-aligned).

Start11 has been working fine on my computer until now. Is there any way to roll back to a previous version?

    • Edition: Windows 11 Home China
    • Version: 24H2
    • Install Date: 2025/7/24
    • OS Build: 26100.7623
    • Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.275.0

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. First, please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, it works! thanks a lot. Also, I'd like to ask: I didn't deactivate the license before uninstalling, and I completely deleted the configuration during the uninstallation. After reinstalling and activating, will it consume one of my purchased license seats (I bought a 5-device package)?

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting zzzk, reply 16

Great, it works! thanks a lot. Also, I'd like to ask: I didn't deactivate the license before uninstalling, and I completely deleted the configuration during the uninstallation. After reinstalling and activating, will it consume one of my purchased license seats (I bought a 5-device package)?

Great, glad to hear it work.

As for the activation question, it should not, however you should able to review and manage your activation using this guide: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1260191763/How+to+review+and+manage+your+current+activations 

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello, I'm getting annoying persistent taskbar tooltips since updating from 2.56 to 2.60. I have Taskbar Peek (the fancy graphical tooltips) disabled. I would prefer to not have any tooltips, at all, ever, because I know what's in my taskbar :)

They do go away if I hit Winkey+D or interact with the Start11 taskbar in some other way, but it's so distracting to have to do that constantly. The tooltips are also always toward the left side of the taskbar and don't line up with the taskbar item they describe.

 

Notice here that my pointer is nowhere near the taskbar and that the tooltip is far to the left of the item it's about:

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting gigadelic, reply 18

Hello, I'm getting annoying persistent taskbar tooltips since updating from 2.56 to 2.60. I have Taskbar Peek (the fancy graphical tooltips) disabled. I would prefer to not have any tooltips, at all, ever, because I know what's in my taskbar :)

They do go away if I hit Winkey+D or interact with the Start11 taskbar in some other way, but it's so distracting to have to do that constantly. The tooltips are also always toward the left side of the taskbar and don't line up with the taskbar item they describe.

Notice here that my pointer is nowhere near the taskbar and that the tooltip is far to the left of the item it's about:


Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I can't reproduce your issue on my system. I need to know few things.

  1. Windows 10 or 11 full version and OS Build number. Use Winver.exe to get these numbers.
  2. Do you have any other application running in your system that also change how your taskbar work.
  3. Is the issue appear at any time, such as, it will appear as soon as you boot up your system and pointing your mouse over specific icons on the taskbar or Start menu?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Hallo bei der Version 2.6 sind die Menüs nur in Englisch, kann man das umstellen und wenn wo. Habe jetzt wieder die 2.0 installiert die deutsche Menüs hat

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting frami1960, reply 20

Hallo bei der Version 2.6 sind die Menüs nur in Englisch, kann man das umstellen und wenn wo. Habe jetzt wieder die 2.0 installiert die deutsche Menüs hat

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please redownload latest version from your account and install it. You should see something like my screenshot below, after the install and reboot your system.

 

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

As a long-time user of Start 11, I wondered if anyone else is aware of the intermittent Start button bug. I have multiple licences, and the bug is on all my Windows devices. I have tested with all the different start button images, and the results are the same. 

Sometimes the button is over to the right and crops. The only way to fix it is to manually add the button again, and then it jumps back into the correct position. For me, this issue has persisted since Start 11 was first released. Is there a fix for it? Thanks.

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Sayjimwoo, reply 22

As a long-time user of Start 11, I wondered if anyone else is aware of the intermittent Start button bug. I have multiple licences, and the bug is on all my Windows devices. I have tested with all the different start button images, and the results are the same. 

Sometimes the button is over to the right and crops. The only way to fix it is to manually add the button again, and then it jumps back into the correct position. For me, this issue has persisted since Start 11 was first released. Is there a fix for it? Thanks.


Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. First please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back.

If the issue still appear, need few more details.

  1. Windows full version and OS Build number.
  2. Start11 Enhance taskbar turn on or off?
  3. Do you have any other 3rd party application installed in your system that also add or change something on your taskbar? Such as DisplayFusion, StartAllBack, etc.
  4. "Sometimes" the issue appear, any specific steps need to be done to force the issue to appear?
  5. Details on Monitors such as scale factors, 100%, 150% etc? Also multi-monitor system?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 19

Windows 10 or 11 full version and OS Build number. Use Winver.exe to get these numbers.

Quoting basj, reply 19

Do you have any other application running in your system that also change how your taskbar work.

No, just Start11. Here's a full process list saved from Process Explorer in case anything stands out to you: https://0g.gg/?3cb070559e7a008a#BphZ3bWeuEXwcMRzn9TzfjAYMetXB1Si6yoZBTcPybyi 

 

Quoting basj, reply 19

Is the issue appear at any time, such as, it will appear as soon as you boot up your system and pointing your mouse over specific icons on the taskbar or Start menu?

I can't get the stickyness to repro right now, and that's the part that's actually bothering me, but the misalignment does repro after a fresh boot. I took a video for you:

https://youtu.be/xIUk7eaJ80Y

 

Thanks for your reply :)

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting gigadelic, reply 24



Look like you have not updated your Windows 11 for sometimes. You current Windows version was release back in 2024. Any reason, you are not updating your Windows 11 to latest released version?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant