click on the start button and pressing the windows key

from Stardock Forums

One thing I really miss from Classic/Open-Shell is the ability to open the native start menu when pressing the Windows key and getting the Classic 7 style menu when clicking on the start button.

No matter how I set the options in Start11 they just don't work. I either get the start menu I've selected (in my case Windows 10) or nothing happens. The only selection that works is Start11 Menu.

And the Windows Menu shortcut (pinned to the start menu) doesn't work either. Nothing happens when I click on it.

And the search bar doesn't work either. I can't type in it. And I'd like to just have the magnifying glass icon, not the large search box. No choice for that.

I had the icon at first and the search worked, but it disappeared one day. Can't figure out how to get it back.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the software.

stardock software
9,643 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

You can do this, and this what I have going on now with my setup. But, you need to install Explorer Patcher and then this fork or Taskbar X. Turn off all the options that center the taskbar and use Start 11 to center the taskbar if you want. This will get you the Windows 10 taskbar that can act like a Windows 11 taskbar. When you press the Windows key the native start menu will start up. You will also be able to change you Start icon even when centered. 


Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top


One thing I really miss from Classic/Open-Shell is the ability to open the native start menu when pressing the Windows key and getting the Classic 7 style menu when clicking on the start button.

No matter how I set the options in Start11 they just don't work. I either get the start menu I've selected (in my case Windows 10) or nothing happens. The only selection that works is Start11 Menu.

And the Windows Menu shortcut (pinned to the start menu) doesn't work either. Nothing happens when I click on it.

And the search bar doesn't work either. I can't type in it. And I'd like to just have the magnifying glass icon, not the large search box. No choice for that.

I had the icon at first and the search worked, but it disappeared one day. Can't figure out how to get it back.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the software.
End of quote

Firstly you do not need to install any additional software.

Simply go to the control page in Start11 config and pick for pressing the Windows key opens "Windows menu".  Now the windows key will open the native OS menu and clicking the start button will open the Start 11 menu.

As for the taskbar, you don't mention the OS you are on, but the fact you mention a large search box suggests you are on Windows 10.  In which case right click on the taskbar and pick search and then from that submenu pick Search icon.  You now have an icon rather than a search box on your taskbar.

The windows menu shortcut not working would typically point to the native menu simply not working on your computer.  I have seen cases where the OS menu breaks itself but this would be the case without Start11 as well.  Given you mention the search box not working (I assume on the taskbar), it is entirely possible that has also broken itself.

 

Siege of Centauri
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I have ExplorerPatcher. Taskbar is to the left. The only start menu that I can get is Start11's start menu. Doesn't matter which version I'm using, 7, 10 or 11. I'm using 10 and it's the only one that shows up when I press the windows key on the keyboard or click on the start button.

And I'm using a start button from Classic Shell. I have used a couple of the button from Start11, just don't like them as much as the one I've been using for many years.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kwagraphics, reply 4

I have ExplorerPatcher. Taskbar is to the left. The only start menu that I can get is Start11's start menu. Doesn't matter which version I'm using, 7, 10 or 11. I'm using 10 and it's the only one that shows up when I press the windows key on the keyboard or click on the start button.

And I'm using a start button from Classic Shell. I have used a couple of the button from Start11, just don't like them as much as the one I've been using for many years.
End of kwagraphics's quote

Have you tried without explorerpatcher to see if it works correctly then?

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, since I posted about this I started having some strange problems. Won't go into it all it would take too long.

The upshot is I wound up re-installing Windows 11. Tried just fixing the problems, but it wasn't working, so I did a clean install. Still working on getting everything installed again.

And now Start11 is working correctly! I have my Win10 start menu when I click on the start button and the new start menu when I press the windows key. And the shortcut for the native win 11 start menu works. So, seems like all the problems I was having have been taken care of.

And so far it hasn't asked me to activate again. I really hope this has been solved as well. Time will tell.

Edit: It just made me activate again. Why does it keep doing this? Really irritating.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting kwagraphics, reply 6

: It just made me activate again. Why does it keep doing this? Really irritating.
End of kwagraphics's quote

Try this steps : https://forums.stardock.com/486311/accounts-and-activation-support-faq#keepsaskingactivation.

From this guide "PRODUCTNAME"="Start11", so you will need to delete off Folder name "Start11"

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Yeah, been there done that. Doesn't make any difference. Still every day it wants me to activate it again.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Do you have it installed on more than one computer?

Also what antivirus and any OS cleanup tools do you have?

We have previously seen some tools to wipe files for privacy clear the activation files each time you reboot.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

It is installed on 2 laptops. I bought 2 keys and I don't have the same key on both laptops. And both laptops do this.

I use Vipre anti-virus. I'll add an exception for the anti-virus not to scan that folder.

I have Tweakbit PC Suite. I only use it once a week.

And I just bought Kerish Doctor, so that shouldn't be a factor. This was happening before I got it.

I normally only reboot once a week after my PC Suite maintenance. Right now with the new OS and software giving updates (including Start11) I might have reboot several times a day. I just updated my mouse driver and had to reboot 2 times for that. Going through Kerish Doctor's settings I had to reboot again. And I had to reboot for something else, I forget what. I'm tired of rebooting! Start11 hasn't asked me to activate it again... yet!

Mom uses the other laptop. She doesn't use the Start Menu much. I'm the one it's bothering. I have to get updates for that laptop too. I try to keep them set up the same for my liking. She opens the lid and launches Edge and closes them down and that's the extent of her interaction with the laptop.