Start11 Taskbar Icon does starts wrong program when left clicked if there are several instances of that program already running

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. First, to make sure Start11 get properly install, 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 to know few more details.

1. Windows 11 v24H2 OS Build number. Please use Winver.exe. Do you have any specific reason not updating to v25H2? If none, please consider updating to it.
2. Do you have any other application running that also change how your taskbar work such as DisplayFusion, StartAllBack etc.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Hi Basj,

I have tried:  "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." I did not uninstall the Settings. I successfully uninstalled, rebooted, downloaded the product, installed it (It picked up the settings correctly) validated my licence, and it exhibits exactly the same issue. So no change.

Windows build number from Winver: Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.7840)

I should point out that this is a recent install of Windows, being a few weeks old. It is not a standard install, being managed by an autounattend file to drive the installation I wanted. There was nothing greatly exotic in this install, but it did turn off as much of the worst of Windows behaviour as possible with this method. OOBE never ran, and I have some local accounts, although I do mostly use a Windows account to log in. Further I am using the policy editor to reign in certain other parts of Windows behaviour, such as OneDrive, the application of updates and a few others. Updates wait until I run them, a responsibility I have consciously taken on. Again nothing especially exotic, just using Windows tools to manage Windows. But it is not a vanilla install.

I am not prepared to run 25H2 until I am forced to by the key Apps I run. Like many who run utilities like Start11, I do so because I loathe the changes being made by Microsoft to the interface and other "features" which destroy the concise and efficient workflows I have developed over many years. Not to mention the bloat, telemetry and persistent advertising which tend to resurface with every major update. I have tamed 24H2 to the point where it is acceptable, and Start11 is part of the strategy as it replaces the ghastly Win 11 start/taskbar. Asking me to switch to 25H2 is a deal-breaker. I am running tools like Start11 as part of the strategy to stave off any Windows "features" upgrade. If I am required by Start11 to be up-to-date with Windows "feature" update horrors then Start11 does not meet my requirement and I will terminate my licence and look elsewhere. If the problem I noted cannot be fixed without "upgrade" to 25H2 that is the inevitable outcome, as I will not upgrade until forced to do so by either Apps or by Microsoft support.

I am not running any other taskbar related software, including DisplayFusion or StartAllBack. 

The problem I have identified is not catastrophic and has a relative simple workaround, so I am prepared to allow some time for the problem to be investigated and a fix developed before I cancel my licence. How long do you think it will take to determine the issue and an associated fix? Should information from my system be helpful in diagnosis please ask, and I will do as best I can to comply.

Regards,

Usually this has to do with something conflicting with Start11. Would like to suggest Clean boot, refer here for steps: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1334935592/Start11+Clean+Boot. Do note that Clean boot need to be done with care, try it and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Hi 

I created a new local account with Admin privileges, called Test11. I logged out of my account and restarted the PC logging in as Test11. 

The Test11 account started as expected as an otherwise unconfigured account. Very few items were present on the Start 11 Taskbar. To test I added Firefox, Word, Excel and Notepad. Start11 behaviour has changed under this account. Left clicking on the Taskbar icon when there are no instances running causes the target program to run. When there is one instance only running that instance becomes the active window. When there is more than one instance the associated instances appear over the Taskbar Icon and a left click does nothing. It is possible to select one of the running instances with a left click which then becomes the active window. Left click of the Taskbar icon in this last case does not open a new instance. The behavior observed is rational, with no stray programs starting, and may well be correct.I do not know what correct behaviour is exactly, I am noting a case of strange behaviour under my account, not present in this new account.

I have not yet proceeded to to a clean boot as there may be enough here to diagnose the problem. 

Regards,

Hi,

Here is an additional clue. The observed problem is directly connected to the use of the Taskbar Icon combining function to be found in Enhanced Taskbar Settings. Grouping in the "wrong way" guarantees this problem happens. Provided each instance has its own icon the behaviour is fine. If "grouping always" is chosen, then left clicking a Taskbar Icon when there is more than one session existing, will always cause an unrelated app to start. The click resolves to the wrong app somehow, when it should either start another session, or do nothing. If each instance has its own Icon (eg Never combine), the problem of selection of the wrong app never happens.

This provides a work-around, where the wrong app never triggers, but the grouping functionality needs a closer to look to identify why it resolves incorrectly in these specific circumstances.

Regards,

Hi

In summary, when grouping is set to always, behaviour of taskbar Icon can be summarised as:

• Works when window_count <= 1

• Breaks when window_count > 1

• Right-click correct

• Hover correct

• Left-click wrong executable

• Not adjacent pin

• Appears random

Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience. Thank you.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Hi urbantigerau,

Thank you for posting.  We'll have this logged for review.

Internal Ref: ODNT-12105

Best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

I'm also seeing the same issue. It does seem to be relatively recent and related to the icon grouping feature.

One thing I did notice clicking on different parts (left to right) of the grouped icon seems to launch different neighboring pinned applications.

For now I've disabled grouping to work around this issue.

Also I'm on 25H2.

This should be addressed in the next update.

Hello again,

This is now addressed in the latest beta release for the software. 

For details on downloading the beta, listed changes, and feedback, please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/541012/start11-27-beta-feedback

Thanks again and best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist