Start11 V2 Taskbar Rendering Bug — Copilot Icon Becomes Black Square When App Is Closed

from Stardock Forums

Hi, I’m seeing a reproducible issue with Start11 V2’s enhanced taskbar. When the enhanced taskbar is enabled, the pinned icon for the Microsoft Copilot app displays correctly while the app is open, but becomes a solid black square when the app is closed.

Important details:

  • The desktop shortcut icon is correct

  • The Start menu icon is correct

  • The taskbar icon is correct only while Copilot is running

  • The issue occurs only when Start11’s taskbar enhancements are enabled

  • If I disable Start11’s taskbar enhancements and revert to the standard Windows taskbar, the icon displays normally

This suggests Start11’s taskbar renderer is failing to load the inactive icon asset for the Copilot MSIX package and falling back to a blank square.

Could you confirm whether this is a known issue with UWP/MSIX icons in Start11 V2, and whether a fix or workaround is available?

I am on Windows 11, 25H2 with all the latest patches, and on Start11 V2 2.6

Thanks!

start menu products
4,158 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I can't reproduce your issue. Refer my screenshot below, with enhance taskbar turn on.

Opened

Closed

 

Please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version (v2.7 Beta) 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 11 OS Build number. Please use Winver.exe.
  2. Screenshots or video showing us the issue.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

One other note. When I was using the CoPilot version in Windows 11, I did not have the issue. But that version does not have voice and audio support currently. At copilot's recommendation, I downloaded the standalone version from the Microsoft Store which has the microphone and verbal conversation feature. I still did not have the problem until I did a shutdown and reboot.

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

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

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi DavidH818,

Thanks for posting.  We've logged this for review.

Internal Reference: ODNT-12171

Best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

We are hoping to get a fix for this in the next beta update this week.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello again,

We've now addressed this in the latest beta update for the software. 

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

https://forums.stardock.com/541012/page/1/

Thanks again and best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
 

The beta update resolved the icon issue, but introduced another bug. Desktop icon text scaling is now inconsistent—on my 27" primary monitor at 100 DPI the text appears excessively large, while on my 14" laptop display (extended, set to 150 DPI) the text is too small, similar to 100 DPI scaling.

I’ve reverted to the previous version for now and will wait for the final release.

 
 
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Bobsonot, reply 10

 

 


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The beta update resolved the icon issue, but introduced another bug. Desktop icon text scaling is now inconsistent—on my 27" primary monitor at 100 DPI the text appears excessively large, while on my 14" laptop display (extended, set to 150 DPI) the text is too small, similar to 100 DPI scaling.

I’ve reverted to the previous version for now and will wait for the final release.


 


 


Start11 doesn't control desktop icon scaling?

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Same problem here. It started three days ago (April 14th). If I turn off Taskbar enhancements, Copilot shortcut shows correctly.

Windows 11. Version 25H2 (OS Build 26200.8246).

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting koutsaios, reply 12

Same problem here. It started three days ago (April 14th). If I turn off Taskbar enhancements, Copilot shortcut shows correctly.

Windows 11. Version 25H2 (OS Build 26200.8246).

This has been addressed with the 2.7 beta update.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes, installing newest beta did fix the issue. Thank you.