Start10 automatic updates completely disable the entire program - must uninstall & reinstall manually to get it to start working again

from Stardock Forums

Hello!

I've encountered a problem with both of the last two automatic updates. When it happened the first time, I figured it was just a fluke. However, the same thing happened today with another Start10 automatic update.

I hope you can identify the issue so that hopefully it won't happen again.

When I am prompted with the 'update available' prompt for Start10, I click OK. After the automatic update downloads and completes, I am prompted to restart my computer. I click 'Yes' and the computer restarts.

Unfortunately, after restarting the computer, the Start10 menu is not present. The old Windows 10 menu, with all its crap, is back.

I figure maybe I just need to *run* Start10, so I go ahead and run Start10, bringing up the Start10 options dialog - and there it is, the Start10 options dialog, in front of me. I normally accept the default options, but I change one or two options just to see if it will make the Start10 menu reappear. No go. I look for an 'Apply' button but I don't see one, so I close the Start10 options window hoping that this is what is needed for the Start10 menu to appear again, but no go. The Start10 'options' window closes, even after I've changed a couple of settings - and the Windows 10 crap menu is still there. No Start10 menu in sight. I figure maybe I need to restart a second time, so I try that. No go. The old Windows 10 crap menu is still there.

I proceed with what I see as my only remaining option - uninstall Start10 completely (via Programs & Features), go back to the Stardock website, log in, re-download the entire application, and reinstall it. This does work. Finally, Start10 is back.

Are you aware of this issue? Do you have any suggestions regarding how to go about the Automatic Updates such that Start10 keeps on working without having to go through the hassle I've just described?

Thanks!
Dan

start10
17,843 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

That is not normal.

What antivirus package are you using as I am wondering if something is interfering with the installation of the service and so stopping Start10 from starting up when you login.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I am using Windows Defender, the antivirus program that comes with Windows.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I have noticed the same problem, the last 2 times (including today) I was prompted to update Start10, I did the download, install and reboot. After rebooting I can't get Start10 to run anymore. The only course of action seems to be to full uninstall and reinstall to get it working again. 

I don't understand why you would push an update that totally breaks a program and forces the user to uninstall and reinstall. A complete waste of time!

I use AVG Internet Security as my primary (active) anti virus and Spybot Search & Destroy as my secondary (not active). I also had Windows Defender enabled, which I just used the group policy editor to disable that.

Hopefully Stardock devs can get their stuff together and figure this out. 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello.  Has this been fixed yet?  Am I free to install automatic updates?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello - This problem happened again today with the automatic update.  When I restarted the computer, there was no Start 10 menu - just the Windows 10 menu.

I uninstalled the full application, restarted, logged on to the Stardock website, downloaded it and installed it again.

Just curious if you've had a chance to look at this?  I'd love to be able to install the automatic updates without it breaking Start 10.

Thanks!

Dan

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Unfortunately we have not received any other reports of anything even remotely similar from others other than the two of you in this thread so it sounds like the issue is some sort of localised conflict.

The 'automatic update' runs the very same installer you download from the store.  It is simply downloaded and then executed.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Add me to the list. Installed update today and no more Start10. I can open the program, but none of the options work or are greyed out.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Also add me to the list - last 2 updates after rebooting I have no more Start10... Off to uninstall/reboot/reinstall/reboot again...

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

We didn't see this in internal testing nor in the last beta but we'd like to get this solved as soon as possible.

If anyone affected by this could create a case at https://esupport.stardock.com/index.php?/default_import/Tickets/Submit

Please download and run the following utility: http://sd.stardock.com/Support/supportToolTest/SDSupportTool.exe and attache the results to the case.

Thanks

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

To anyone having the issue, and prior to reinstalling...

In a search, type 'services' to get to the Window's services items.  Find, and verify, that the Stardock Start10 service is there and 'Running'

 

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, I had to uninstall and reinstall and it is now working ... as far as the Services, I had looked at them and they were shown as "running" prior to the uninstall.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

I just created a ticket.  Thanks for looking into this!  I will be thrilled when I know that I can safely install the automatic updates!  Gotta say, I hate the Windows 10 menu so it hurts to be assaulted by it and its @%^^y neon pop-up advertisements when I restart after updating Start 10.  Thanks!

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Uninstall, reboot, re-install, reboot worked for me. As I run regularly under a "normal" user account, I performed the uninstall, etc actions under the admin account.

 

I had the issue when performing the update, after prompted about an update being available, while logged in under the "normal" user account.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

BTW - I would create a case and upload the logs which I captured before and after the update... but the Submit a Ticket is equally broken (Chrome/Mac):

 

We encountered a problem (cross-site request forgery detected); please try again

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting aukhhome, reply 18

same here, start10 is broken after auto update...
End of aukhhome's quote

Are you using an admin or limited user account?

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

admin account + windows defender

now, even worse,

uninstall -> reboot -> install -> reboot

start10 still won't show up  :'(

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting aukhhome, reply 20

admin account + windows defender

now, even worse,

uninstall -> reboot -> install -> reboot

start10 still won't show up  :'(
End of aukhhome's quote

Is the Start10 service set to autorun in services.msc?

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

yes,

start10config.exe, start10srv.exe, start10_64.exe is running

and

"startdock start10" service is running and start "automatic".

:S

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting aukhhome, reply 22

yes,

start10config.exe, start10srv.exe, start10_64.exe is running

and

"startdock start10" service is running and start "automatic".

:S
End of aukhhome's quote

If you look in the Start10 folder is there a file called Start10_64.dll (that's dll not exe)?

Also if you change how the start button looks in Start10Config does that change?