Start 11 v. 1.24 does not replace Win11 menu

from Stardock Forums

I have Win11 21H2 build .708.  x64.  I have installed, uninstalled, rebooted, rinsed and repeated.  But Start 11 v. 1.24 Does not replace Win11 menu.  No option for a start menu (centered) shows up with the start button, cnt+start, Windows button, cnt+Win, etc.  It simply is not working on this machine.  I have no taskbar software running to interfere with it.

At a loss for more about this iteration of Start11.

start menu products
2,840 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

What happens when you open the Start11 config? Is that functioning at all?

Paul Scroggins
Associate Technical Support Analyst

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes, the configuration menus all open. And the center/left task bar will switch the taskbar icons in real time during the configuration menu being open.  All the pages and buttons are available and 'work'...but the only menu that pops up is the default win11 menu (regardless of configuring start11 to be win7, modern, etc.

Also worth mentioning is that I uninstalled the previous version and its settings.  Perhaps the folks who are having it work for them merely upgraded over the existing settings from previous installed version.  I suggest you test it with a 'bare' installation with no previous installed version settings present.  That may prove to be the key. Just a guess, of course.

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I believe settings are saved somewhere unless a purge is done. If that is the case try checking easy to miss settings such as..

In the setting "control"- Is the first option "clicking start button" switched to "start 11 menu"

Also in the very first option: "start menu" - is "use the start 11 menu" switched to "on"

If your settings are correct the next step would probably be to run a purge which will delete all of your settings.

To do a purge follow this link Link restart pc and install start 11 again

 

 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I suspect the issue is the Start11 service isn't running.

Press Win+r and type services.msc in the box and press enter.

Then in the window that opens up, find Stardock Start11.  Is this set to automatic and is it running?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

yes and yes. of course.

I'll have to reinstall it again to check on the service.  OK, reinstalled Start11 1.42.  Services is 'on' and 'automatic.'

Same non-show behavior. It is as if it is not installed at all.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting slankton, reply 5

If install carries out its job right, I'd think the service would be 'on' - right?
End of slankton's quote

Depends, I have seen other registry changing programs interfere with start 11 working properly. For example, I have had experience with other start menu programs and even other taskbar enhancement programs making changes in the registry that prevents start 11 from using a certain feature unless the registry is corrected.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

That is a valid point.  I've had previous programs for the Taskbar:  TaskbarX, translucentTB, and DualWallpaper (if it does anything like that). They are not now running, however.  And - keep in mind, too - these did not interfere with previous Start 11 menu versions.  Including, the recent v. 1.22 which worked (I don't seem to have retained a v. 1.23 if that was a release). 

This just in:  I did the purge.bat and also uninstalled translucentTB (it had not been running...but I also uninstalled).  Reinstalled 1.24 and now it is functioning.  It does show up as the menu configuration chosen.   I wish I'd done the above changes one at a time to better narrow it down.  But one or both actions resulted in it work.  Progress!