Transparency Issue with Start11 v2

from Stardock Forums

Since I switched from Start 11 v1 to Start 11 v2 I have an transparency Issue with the start menu. It's always full transparent and no blurring effect is added to the start menu so it's always clean transparent.

If I enable the mica effect for the start menu it's non-transparent. If I switch off the mica effect for only 1 time the start menu is correctly blurred. But if I reopen the start menu again, it's again clena transparent.

Post from Start 11 v2.0 Release https://forums.stardock.com/523854/get;3909180:

Start11 v2.0 Menu is always transparent on my Windows 10 (10.0.19045.3636):

Startmenu

If I set transparency too 100% or 11 % it doesn't change at all:

Transparency 100%

If I enable Mica Startmenu is solid:

Mica Enabled


If I disable Mica then the startmenu is for one time in the correct transparency settings:
Mica disabled, 1 time startmenu shows correct transparency

On the further attempts to open the startmenu it stays like in the first picture. Only switching between Mica on / off shows for one time the correct startmenu.

I had reinstalled Start11 v2 already and used the full removal batch script. Then I rebooted before the reinstall but the behavior doesn't change. Furthermore I use Curtains for Windows theming.

 

Start 11 v2.03 Thread Posts (shortened) From Post #61 to #66: https://forums.stardock.com/524216/get;3912550

Quoting basj,
reply 62

 

Quoting XPERIANCE620,
reply 61
Can someone check this issue please. This issue appears in Start 11 v2.03 as well on my side:

https://forums.stardock.com/523854/get;3909180


Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I've checked and I don't see the issue on my system. Tested on Windows 10, you on Windows 10 or 11? Full version number please.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

 

Hi,

I'm on Windows 10 Home 22H2 x64 German (OS Build: 10.0.19045.3754) and I'm using Start 11 Version 2.0.3.
As well I'm using Curtains in Version 1.19.1.

Do you need more information from my side?

Regards,

 

I'm using this curtains style: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/curtains/347

I made some small modifcations on the skin:
Original:

Original Skin

Modified Skin:

Modified Skin


For testing purpose I used the default Windows 10 Skin in Curtains and tested the Start Menu after an reboot but it doesn't change the behavior:

I'm using the modern style startmenu in Start 11:

Skin configuration (Should be default settings):

Skin individualization (only changing mica effect on / off and the transparency level. Other settings are default):

I have all the other submenus on default (Symbol Start until backup settings).

 

About:

 

Do you need more information from my side?

I don't use Explorerpatcher, UxThemePatcher or other UI changing tools.

 

Regards,

Quoting XPERIANCE620,
reply 65
I'm using this curtains style: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/curtains/347

I made some small modifcations on the skin:
Original:

 

I can not reproduce your issue. With all your setting applied on my system I still can adjust the transparency level on my system. Refer screenshot below.

Moving forward, I believe it is best if you create your own tread since it look like this is not specifically Start11 v2 issue. It most probably, some other thing that is interfering with Start11. So, please start a new thread with all the details you post here and I will try to help you there.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

start menu products
5,640 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, now first step: Try this, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately after uninstall finished. Redownload latest Start11 V2.03 from your account product page. Install it, reboot again. Retest and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi, I followed each step.

  1. Uninstalled Start 11 with removing all settings.
  2. rebooted
  3. Downloaded Start 11 v2.03
  4. installed Start 11 v2.03
  5. rebooted again
  6. Entered my Serial Data
  7. Changed from Windows 7 classic style to modern style.
  8. First was the startmenu transparent and blurred
  9. Second opening of the startmenu again was it fully clean transparent.

 

 

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I made the following gif animation (after the last reinstall) which shows the entire issue:

Start11 Startmenu Issue

I found out, if you rescale the startmenu then the blur effect appears. As you can when I'm hovering the Teams icon. 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi @basj,

is there some new information regarding this topic?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Just to confirm, you mentioned you have Stardock Curtains? Do the issue goes away if you disable curtains and restart your system?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi Basj,

I don't know exactly what you mean that I have to disable Curtains.

So today I set the theme in Curtains to the default skin from Microsoft. After that I rebooted the PC and tested it again.

It's the same behavior as before.

 

Regards,

XPERIANCE

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi @Basj,

I was busy in the last weeks, but today I did the Clean boot approach on a new User I have added and tried every step.

I have added the User "Temp" in Windows.

Then I disabled all services under msconfig.exe. I have also disabled all entries in the "Auto start".

After the reboot I recognized that the stardock softwares Start11 and Curtains doesn't work. So I have enabled start11 and curtains again in the msconfig program.

 

After the next reboot I switched to the temp User and tested everything, but the result is the same as before.

Attached are the screenshots in the order I created them.

Startmenu opened first time:

Enabled the Mica effect:

disabled the mica effect, opened the start menu the first time and the transparency is working:

The second time I open the start menu the transparency effect is gone again:

I don't know if I have to reinstall my PC, but it will needs some time to complete, because I have so many apps installed and configured that it needs a long time for me to finish it.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Dave4020, reply 10

Any resolution to this? I'm experiencing the same issue.
End of Dave4020's quote

Have you or OP tested this issue on the latest Start11 v2.05.2 {beta] yet?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Dave4020, reply 12

I just tested this on v2.05.2.  Unfortunately the issues is still occurring.  
End of Dave4020's quote

Which suggested steps above you have taken to try resolving your issue?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

So this has been occurring since purchase a few months ago. I've tried everything mentioned above.  A month ago a did a full reinstall of windows 10.  All Drivers are up to date. The other day I upgraded to v2.05.2.  I fiddled with some settings I thought might be interfering with the animations.  Dropped my refresh rate from 120 to 60Hz. I use Wallpaper Engine for dynamic desktop backgrounds. Disabled that also to no avail.

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Most probably its conflict with other settings or other applications. BTW, have you try turning this setting off?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

This issue still exists. In Windows 10, it is impossible to make the 'App style, Pro style, and Launcher style' themes 100% solid. 100% solidity is only achievable when "use full screen menu" option is on. This issue does not exist in other themes. There is also no issue in Windows 11.
Windows 10 21H2 19044.5371
Start11v2.5
Below are screenshots with 11% and 100% solid settings:
%11

%100

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting MayTi554, reply 16

This issue still exists. In Windows 10, it is impossible to make the 'App style, Pro style, and Launcher style' themes 100% solid. 100% solidity is only achievable when "use full screen menu" option is on. This issue does not exist in other themes. There is also no issue in Windows 11.
Windows 10 21H2 19044.5371
Start11v2.5
Below are screenshots with 11% and 100% solid settings:
%11

%100
End of MayTi554's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. You, are replying to thread that last post 1 year ago. Please create your own thread so we can try to help you from there.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.