Start11 and Windows 11 Menu/Taskbar missing after latest Update 10/12/2021

from Stardock Forums

The latest Windows 11 update causes issue where Start11 causes start menu and task bars to no longer function.  Attempts to access either just provides a spinning cursor and Winkey does nothing but causes screen(s) to flicker.

I had to use Task Manager turn off Start10 (vis-à-vis Start11) service and end Start11 task in order to at least get Windows 11 Start Menu and task bar to work again.

I attempted to install latest version from Stardock website, but nothing seemed to change despite the installation process that seemingly  uninstalled the previous restarted the PC.  Note: "Program and Features" shows that Start11 was installed five days ago (10/7/2021) and is at version 0.90.  Latest downloaded version properties show file and product versions at 9.5.3.0.

 

 

windows 11 start11 taskbar start menu
9,505 views 7 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Do you have three or more monitors?

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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

The purge did not help. 

  1. The issue occurs immediately following installation.
  2. The latest version I found is still 0.90
  3. I have four monitors.
  4. For note, I also use "Ultramon" for multi-monitor management, which upon removal (just a quit, not and uninstall) does not change outcome.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I think the problem may well be the number of monitors.

There is a known issue in 0.9 if you have > 2 monitors and have the option in Start11 turned on (it is on by default) to apply a custom start button.

As a workaround, turn off multiple monitor taskbars in Windows settings, install Start11 0.9 and in settings turn off the custom start button option.  You can now set your multiple monitor taskbar back on and you should be fine.

Hopefully this addresses the issue for you for now.

We have an update this week which resolves the issue entirely.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

The workaround worked for me. Instead of uninstalling/reinstalling I suggest for others with this issue to do the following:

  1. Start "Services"
    1. If start menu is inaccessible:
      1. Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete and open the Task Manager
      2. Click the down arrow at the bottom of the window for ‘More details.’ Once completed, this will say ‘Fewer details’ instead
      3. From the top-left corner, choose File > Run new task
      4. In the pop-up that appears, type ‘services.msc’ and click ‘OK'
    2. Else, if start menu is accessible:
      1. Click Start button
      2. In the search box that appears, type ‘services.msc’ and hit the enter key
  2. Stop the 'Stardock Start11' service:
    1. In the right panel of the 'Services' pop-up that appears,
    2. Navigate to the 'Stardock Start11' service and left-mouse-click it.
    3. On the left side 'Stop' the services
  3. End 'Start11' task in Task Manager
    1. Open 'Task Manager' using either step 1.1.1 above or typing 'taskmgr.exe' in start button search box (like step 2.1 thru 2.3 above)
    2. Click the down arrow at the bottom of the window for ‘More details.’ Once completed, this will say ‘Fewer details’ instead
    3. Navigate to and right-mouse-click the 'Start11' task in the 'Name' column of the 'Processes' tab.
    4. Click 'End Task' in the menu items list.
  4. Now, turn off multiple monitor taskbars in Windows settings:
    1. Open Windows 11 Settings app
    2. Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar
    3. Under 'Taskbar Behaviors,' uncheck 'Show my taskbar on all displays'
  5. Start the 'Stardock Start11' service following step 2, above, and clicking 'Start' to the stopped 'Start11' service
  6. Once the Start11 Start button appears, <Shift-Right-Mouse-Click> the Start button and select "Configure Start11" the menu items list
    • Note:  This step can also be very buggy, as it sometimes takes several tries before Start11 menu items list pops up.
  7. Under 'Taskbar' tab, turn of the "Use a custom start button image' option and 'x' out when done.
  8. Turn back on multiple monitor taskbars in Windows settings following step 4, above.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

It seems that the latest version v0.91 may have fixed the problem.