Start11 v.2 not ready for prime time

from Stardock Forums

I installed Start11 v.2 on a Win11 desktop on top of my v.1, and it was a real mess. No errors in installation, but was unable to get my previous settings (Windows 10 customized) to be in effect. It defaulted to the Win StartMenu 11. All of my modification via v.1 disappeared. Multiple reboots didn't help. Finally uninstalled Start11 totally and reinstalled.

I didn't have my old settings backed up -- in fact, did not realize I could back up my settings. Was that function in v.1? If so, missed it. Also noticed from the splash screen somewhere that this is a Beta version of v. 2. Even for the very reasonable price of $3.99, I do not like being a lab rat for unfinalized s/w.

JudithL

start menu products
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Not sure why your settings weren't kept, as mine were and yours should have been afaik. 

basj should be along and will do his best to help you.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Sorry that happened to you. Some have reported installing v2 over v1 with success. Others have ended up as you did.

I ran into a similar problem when I installed Goupy2 over Groupy1. For that reason, I uninstalled Start11v1 and didn't check the box to delete the settings. Then after rebooting, I installed Start11v2 and my Start Menu was intact. I also use the Windows 10 Style. I personally feel like there should be more specific instructions on how to install new Stardock products.

At least now there is a way to easily back up your settings!

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

It sounds like Start11 wasn't starting up at all hence your settings not being applied.

Start11 v2 and Start11 1.x share the same registry settings for common features and the installer will not delete settings.  Uninstallation can wipe out settings if you tick the box for that however.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

When I restarted windows to activate temporary license, it removes the Windows Theme! restart again same thing.

 Windows V23H2 and start11 V1.47

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting rayeverding, reply 4

When I restarted windows to activate temporary license, it removes the Windows Theme! restart again same thing.

 Windows V23H2 and start11 V1.47
End of rayeverding's quote

What windows theme?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

After a couple of hours I have things back the way I want them, thank goodness. One thing I forgot to say in my first post above was that after the first install (update), Start11 showed that I was set for the Windows 10 start menu but the Start Menu I had was the Win 11 default. I then tried to change the selection to something else and then back to Windows 10 option, but the program was frozen. Had to use Task Manager to close it.

I agree that install instructions should be more specific. I Like the settings backup capability and intend to use it. Is there a restore function. Would future updates wipe out everything in the Start11 directory? If so, will save the settings backup elsewhere.

Judith L

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting rayeverding, reply 7

Autumn Co
End of rayeverding's quote
Is it this theme? Autumn Colors v1.0

If not, qould you provide a link?

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting rayeverding, reply 9

Windows 11 Theme -Microsoft Store - Autumn Colors (has 11 images)
End of rayeverding's quote
I assume you're on Windows 11, so this has nothing to do with Start 11. That theme is for Windows 10, and that's why Windows 11 removes it - not Start 11. I see the system requirements says Windows 10 14951.0 or higher, but that was back in 2017 when it was released and long before the launch of Windows 11 and thus has not been updated. It does not state anywhere that it's a Windows 11 theme.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JanOscar, reply 10

I assume you're on Windows 11, so this has nothing to do with Start 11. The theme is for Windows 10, and that's why Windows 11 removes it - not Start 11. I see the system requirements says Windows 10 14951.0 or higher, but that was back in 2017 when it was released and long before the launch of Windows 11 and thus has not been updated. It does not state anywhere that it's a Windows 11 theme.
End of JanOscar's quote

Just to expand on that. It is possible that the theme was working just fine on Windows 11 22H2 and it was actually the update to Windows 23H2 that broke it. If you had a Windows update on reboot at the same time as the start 11 install reboot then it is likely the Windows update is what broke it.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Windows 11 Pro V23H2 Build 22631.2506 - Microsoft Store Theme - Autumn Colors. Themes work fine with Start11 V1.47!

Install V2 over V.47 - restart as Start11 requests - Windows Blank screen - no theme background! Restart again, just to check - no theme background!

Reinstall V1.47 over V2 - restart - Windows 11 theme background returns??

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting rayeverding, reply 12

Reinstall V1.47 over V2 - restart - Windows 11 theme background returns??
End of rayeverding's quote

fair enough. Looks like you found a bug

Update - I can not repo this on my end as this Microsoft store theme is actually working for me on Windows 11 23H2 and Start 11 version 2.002

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

No, I have not updated to Win 11 23H2. Am on Win 11 22H2 build 22621.2428.

Another problem has surfaced: My start menu is as I want it but now I cannot open the program itself, which means I cannot back up the settings. When I click on the icon or try to initiate it from the start menu, nothing happens

Again, this update was not ready for prime time. I don't want to uninstall again.  I'm going to look into other start menu programs like this -- the ones that seem to be working for other people.

 

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello Judith,

Start 11 version 2 is not yet in prime time. It is basically in a release preview state which can mirror where 23H2 is at currently. One segment away from beta but not yet in prime time as a little more testing is still needed before the last release. I do believe the issue you are listing will be looked into.

The thing to consider is that Start 11 version 2 is currently very much in active development and Stardock will be putting a lot of focus now on adding and fixing things. I suspect we could see weekly updates of start 11 version 2 until it feels like it is ready for prime time so to speak.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JudithL, reply 14

Another problem has surfaced: My start menu is as I want it but now I cannot open the program itself, which means I cannot back up the settings. When I click on the icon or try to initiate it from the start menu, nothing happens
End of JudithL's quote

When I installed Start11v2, there were two icons in the Startdock folder on the Start Menu. One was named Start11 and the other was named Start11Config. If you click on Start11 nothing happens; if you click on Start11config the app opens.

The location for Start11Config is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Start11\Start11Config.exe"

If the Start11Config is missing from your Start Menu, you can go to the above location and right click on Start11Config>Show more options>Pin to Start11, and it will then be on your Start menu.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

From one lab rat to another: Thanks. Got it back. Note: the about screen shows that V2 is a Beta version.

JudithL

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JudithL, reply 17

From one lab rat to another: Thanks. Got it back. Note: the about screen shows that V2 is a Beta version.

JudithL
End of JudithL's quote

This is correct.  It is a preview of Start11 v2.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Did the announcement state that? I think not. Had I known, I would have waited before updating. v.1 was working just fine.

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting JudithL, reply 19

Did the announcement state that? I think not. Had I known, I would have waited before updating. v.1 was working just fine.
End of JudithL's quote

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

I installed Start 11 2.0 v2 Release Preview on Several of my Windows 11 (23H2, yes the latest possible update) machines last week, and I saw my mouse cursor disappear at times, and I kept having performance issues. I uninstalled Start 11 2.0 v2 and the issues went away. 

I really want to use Start 11 2.0 V2 but I can't lose the stability or have major decreases in the performance of my machines.  

How can I get insight into the performance and stability of Start 11 2.0 V2 so I can diagnosis and debug what could be leading to the performance and or stability issues?

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Ian, reply 21

I installed Start 11 2.0 v2 Release Preview on Several of my Windows 11 (23H2, yes the latest possible update) machines last week, and I saw my mouse cursor disappear at times, and I kept having performance issues. I uninstalled Start 11 2.0 v2 and the issues went away. 

I really want to use Start 11 2.0 V2 but I can't lose the stability or have major decreases in the performance of my machines.  

How can I get insight into the performance and stability of Start 11 2.0 V2 so I can diagnosis and debug what could be leading to the performance and or stability issues?
End of Ian's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, you are posting in a wrong thread. Please create your own thread or post your issue here: https://forums.stardock.com/523628/

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.