ggeorgiev2001 ggeorgiev2001

Unable to launch Start11 on Win11: "This beta has expired"

Unable to launch Start11 on Win11: "This beta has expired"

"This beta version of Start11 has expired, but there's an updated version on the website"

I have just bought "Start 11 Beta", paid $4.99, downloaded the installation, ran it, restarted my Win11 Pro Build 22454.rs_prerelease.

Upon startup, I see the message above: This beta haz expired blah blah. Closing the dialog brings me back to the page where I can buy the Beta.

What's wrong here? How come an app just downloaded is "expired"?

18,714 views 44 replies +1 Loading…
Reply #26 Top

Quoting kirkc1, reply 23

I have tried several alternative approaches to getting this to work with no success. I downloaded the update using the link above and it didn't work. I tried downloading the program using my original licensing email and it didn't work. I tried uninstalling the original beta (0.5) and then downloading and installing the program using my licensing email and then the download from my account at Stardock. In every case when I try to launch the program I get the expired beta intercept and it redirects me to a page offering me an opportunity to purchase the program again. What a mess.
End of kirkc1's quote

I think you are downloading the 0.5 beta update again.

The store was showing 0.5 and then as a beta 0.55 update on the store, but this has now been changed to only list 0.55.

Download that and you should be fine.

Reply #27 Top

So, I was having this issue as well. I didn't have a Stardock account, but it wasn't required to complete the order, and it didn't even ask me to create one. The link on screen took me to the .5 version, which won't run because it's expired, as people are seeing here. This was last night, so the .55 version was already out when I hit order, but it was still sending me to the wrong link.

So I checked my email, and it had a link. I clicked it, it sent me to a website to confirm my email, which sent me another email, which had my key in it, and a link to download the same expired .5 version.

This morning I read this thread, which gave me a link to the account page, which I could not sign into because I didn't have an account, because it didn't give me the option to create one when I bought the product. I created an account and was finally able to get to the current version download, but not through the products tab, but only through the order history.

So, what it comes down to is that Stardock needs to stop looking at people in this thread like they are incompetents and instead own up to the own incompetence themselves. Either make sure people have to create an account before they can buy your products, or make sure the links you send them to actually point at the current version of the product. This isn't rocket science; sending the correct download links to your customers is the minimum core requirement for running a digital marketplace, and you are failing multiple times to do so in every transaction.

Stardock has been around a LONG time (heck, I had a physical copy of Object Desktop way back in 1997), and this kind of stuff should be old hat to them. The fact that it isn't doesn't give me a lot of faith in their products as a whole.

Reply #29 Top

Quoting rege0036, reply 25

Me too. Done the same things as everyone on here. 

Nothing in my product page, Can't activate it as it never gives me chance. 

Uninstalled, rebooted and tried gain. 

All a bit naff really. I want my money back !
End of rege0036's quote

I see that you have since activated (you never had before).  All good now?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #30 Top

Quoting illrigger, reply 28

So, I was having this issue as well. I didn't have a Stardock account, but it wasn't required to complete the order, and it didn't even ask me to create one. The link on screen took me to the .5 version, which won't run because it's expired, as people are seeing here. This was last night, so the .55 version was already out when I hit order, but it was still sending me to the wrong link.

So I checked my email, and it had a link. I clicked it, it sent me to a website to confirm my email, which sent me another email, which had my key in it, and a link to download the same expired .5 version.

This morning I read this thread, which gave me a link to the account page, which I could not sign into because I didn't have an account, because it didn't give me the option to create one when I bought the product. I created an account and was finally able to get to the current version download, but not through the products tab, but only through the order history.

So, what it comes down to is that Stardock needs to stop looking at people in this thread like they are incompetents and instead own up to the own incompetence themselves. Either make sure people have to create an account before they can buy your products, or make sure the links you send them to actually point at the current version of the product. This isn't rocket science; sending the correct download links to your customers is the minimum core requirement for running a digital marketplace, and you are failing multiple times to do so in every transaction.

Stardock has been around a LONG time, and this kind of stuff should be old hat to them. The fact that it isn't doesn't give me a lot of faith in their products as a whole.
End of illrigger's quote

The problem was the 0.55 build which had been out for some time was not marked as the release version only a beta so the 0.5 build was in use by many including yourself when you purchased.

Unfortunately mistakes on occasion do happen and we can only apologise for that.

Things have been corrected first thing this morning so the issue you encountered should no longer be a problem.

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Reply #31 Top

Quoting illrigger, reply 28

So I checked my email, and it had a link. I clicked it, it sent me to a website to confirm my email, which sent me another email, which had my key in it, and a link to download the same expired .5 version.
End of illrigger's quote

That was rectified this morning.  If you did the process again (http://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval), it would give you .55.

Quoting illrigger, reply 28

So, what it comes down to is that Stardock needs to stop looking at people in this thread like they are incompetents and instead own up to the own incompetence themselves.
End of illrigger's quote

There are no replies here where I can see any SD representative responding to clients as were they 'incompetents'. But you are not wrong on this count, we have been doing this a long time and the .50 beta expiring without a clear path to updating is indeed embarrassing.  We could not be more sorry for any frustration this has caused.

We do appreciate the feedback, patronage, and patience.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #32 Top

Thank you Stardock. Finally got to the correct link for the .55 installer, and it worked, accepted my product key, and did not tell me it was expired! Install successful :) 

Reply #33 Top

The new link posted by Sean Rohan worked. Thanks for clearing this up so quickly.

Reply #34 Top

Quoting kirkc1, reply 33

The new link posted by Sean Rohan worked. Thanks for clearing this up so quickly.
End of kirkc1's quote

You are most welcome, and again, sorry for the trouble.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #35 Top

@sdRohan (reply to #17),

I am not reaching that splash screen at all - I get this "Beta expired" as soon as I login (or manually launch Start11). So, while I have my activation key (received by email) I haven't used it yet.

Haven't reached end of this tread yet, will update if necessary.

Update: After downloading updated version from "My Products" page, I am able to launch Start11. I am sorry I had to be the bearer of the bad news which opened this tread.

Reply #36 Top

Quoting ggeorgiev2001, reply 35

@sdRohan (reply to #17),

I am not reaching that splash screen at all - I get this "Beta expired" as soon as I login (or manually launch Start11). So, while I have my activation key (received by email) I haven't used it yet.

Haven't reached end of this tread yet, will update if necessary.
End of ggeorgiev2001's quote

You should just need to install .55, reboot, and activate with the key:

 https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/Start11_0.55-j26-Setup_sd.exe

Let me know if you still have issues after.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #38 Top

Got mine working too....  Unfortunately,  I just learned via the FAQ's on 11 that I need to purchase a license for each machine I want to run start11 on.... whereas Start10 gave you 5 installs per license..... I have 6 machines.  I am not at all thrilled about the licensing change....especially being a customer since Start8. >:(  

Reply #39 Top

Well ... 0.55 now installed and stable and looking forward to 7 Oct.

Previously I had gone through the 'expired' and back to repurchase window circular routine. I purchased again stupidly thinking the purchase routines would work things out as the second purchase window did not have the download link. My credit card now shows TWO purchases of Start11. I sent a screen shot to support@stardock.com and received an email from Sean Drohan jira@stardock.atlassian.net regreting my problems and asking if I have further questions / concerns. I do. One of those credit card entries needs reversing. Here's the screen shot that shows both purchases have gone through. 

Sorry to make this public but I haven't heard this was done. Just the email I mentioned above.

It seems, apart from this Start11 problem, it's a good company so I'll hang in there until 7 October. If they can sort out the purchases and the 7 Oct version looks good I'll stay with it. Otherwise I'll uninstall with a sad loss of money.

 

btw my account shows My Downloads showing Start11 with a link to the product key. But the Order History shows this:

Reply #41 Top

Quoting eshinjohngodfrey, reply 40

And to add - My Downloads page shows only one Start11 with it's Product Key. Not two.
End of eshinjohngodfrey's quote

Please post a screenshot on what you saw on your download page.

Quoting eshinjohngodfrey, reply 39

Otherwise I'll uninstall with a sad loss of money.
End of eshinjohngodfrey's quote

Btw, you always can request for refund.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #43 Top

Quoting eshinjohngodfrey, reply 42

Here's the screen shot
End of eshinjohngodfrey's quote

What is the file name show up when your mouse hover over the download buttons? For example on mine, a bit different than your since I have ObjectDesktop pack. When I hover over the download link. At the bottom of that page it shows the name of the file I am going to download if I click on it. Its Start11 V0.55.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #44 Top

Quoting eshinjohngodfrey, reply 42

How do I get a refund? To my mind I've been requesting a refund of the second doubled credit card entry.
End of eshinjohngodfrey's quote

For refund you raise a support ticket using this link : https://stardock.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/4

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant