Latest 10 and 11 flaw with multiple monitors?

Missing hidden and sound controls on Primary monitor but show on secondary

from Stardock Forums

I am a long-time user of Start 10 and am going crazy for many hours after doing the latest update to Start 10 on my laptop.  This is a step-by-step history of the current problem that seems linked to multiple monitors.

I also have Fences and Start 10 on my main PC, with five large monitors connected. I look like a mission control center. What I updated was on a laptop with the laptop screen mirrored to a much larger monitor (both landscape) Plus a 28" secondary monitor (portrait) using a pluggable USB to DVI connection. 

I have many versions of Start before 10, and I go back to IBM OS2 systems before Windows had a GUI and even punch cards and card sorters!

1) No matter which taskbar option I selected, it would not get me the Win 7 layout. I hate the looks of the menu with that colossal mess. What I recall is what Win 10 looks like, but I have used Start 10 for so long that I didn't recognize it. I tried virtually all combinations and permutations on the Start 10 off different styles, etc, but it did not change the looks of the menu. 

I then upgraded to Start 11 (no interest in updating from Win 10 but redoing with Start 11 might cure the problem.

It didn't. I can not select any different menu, and nothing changes. I noted that Start 11 installed in the Start 10 directory. But it opened fine with my code in Start 11. 

I also note that the taskbar covers up my hidden icons tray and the right side of the menu to select various speakers, volume control, etc., which is critical.  

I did hours of Googling research to find hidden icons, including videos, but I had them all selected that I wanted but are hidden by the task par, the only usual far-right stuff that shows up in the time/date.

Next, I unregistered Start 11 and completely uninstalled it. 

Ah, now I see that the menu I could not change from before with START 10 update or 11 was the standard Win 10 menu, which I hate and have never used. 

I reinstalled and reregistered.

Now I do get my old Win 7-style menu back.

However, there is no hidden icons submenu thing on the far right and no access to select speakers, volume control, etc., which has always been on the right side of the taskbar. 

I have rebooted repeatedly at each step to determine if that solved it.

I should have never updated to the latest START 10 because I had none of these issues before.   I have looked at every option many times in the Start 11 setup and compared it to my PC, which has the un-updated START 10. Now I want to get my Laptop back to before I did the Start 10 update - Or Start 11 with the ability to see hidden icons.

OH MY, this makes it even more of a mystery. After all this, I just noticed those missing things from my taskbar are on my secondary monitor on a smaller monitor, Low and Behold. Also, I had on Start 11 selected the rounded taskbar. When I rounded, it changed; it did round on my main screen, but now, as I write this, it is the unrounded version. 

Does the updated Start 10 have a flaw with multiple monitors?

Looking at PC setting is set to show the taskbar on all monitors. Also, Display Properties shows the mirroring and separate monitor 3 but no settings that affect a different taskbar.

Now I go back to toggle between rounded or not, which only changes back and forth on the secondary monitor. It shows missing stuff on the secondary but not on the Laptop or mirror large monitor 2.

I am now going to reboot - again. And see what happens! I did a complete shutdown and startup to be sure. 

Result: I have a curved taskbar on the primary monitor but no right-hand stuff I need. However, when I open this textpad application to write this, the taskbar changes to the un curved and of course, there is no submenu for hidden icons, speakers etc., which are on the secondary monitor.  

Since all was fine until I did the latest Start 10 update, there must be something in the update that creates this problem with multiple monitors.

Note Start 10 update was done 2/22/2024 as was Start 11 ver 2.05 where problem remains.

start menu products
2,324 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know.

  1. You on Windows 10 or 11? Also its full version numbers. Use Winver.exe
  2. I am confused, you on Start10 or Start11? Also need its full version number installed.

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

It sounds like you have accidentally dragged your taskbar from the primary monitor to the secondary.

Only the main taskbar ever shows the hidden icons tray and speaker icon.  The secondary ones only show the clock on the far end.  This is normal for Windows 10.

If this is the case you just need to drag it back to the primary monitor.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks,

Windows 10 Version 22H2 OS BUild 19045, 4046 Home version on laptop, Pro on PC but don't dare to update on PC with 5 monitors!

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks, Good idea, but:

The Start 11 controlled taskbar will not drag from the secondary 3 to primary 1/2

If I switch it on and off show the taskbar on all monitors; turning off just closes the bad taskbar on the main monitor 1/2 mirrored - 1 is laptop not even in my easy reach and my primary mirrored large monitor 2.  

In the Display settings, where shows 1 and 2 are mirrored, the box to make these my primary is checked. 

But the correct taskbar shows only on my secondary small 3. 1 and 2, which are primary, just has what seems the Windows 10 taskbar but no access to what I need on the right, just covers up where would be and only shows the date/time on right instead of control submenus I need (speakers, hidden etc). 

I am convinced it relates to Start 10 since I never had this issue until I updated Start 10 to the latest update, then upgraded to Start 11 and same problem.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting davephx, reply 4

Thanks, Good idea, but:

The Start 11 controlled taskbar will not drag from the secondary 3 to primary 1/2

If I switch it on and off show the taskbar on all monitors; turning off just closes the bad taskbar on the main monitor 1/2 mirrored - 1 is laptop not even in my easy reach and my primary mirrored large monitor 2.  

In the Display settings, where shows 1 and 2 are mirrored, the box to make these my primary is checked. 

But the correct taskbar shows only on my secondary small 3. 1 and 2, which are primary, just has what seems the Windows 10 taskbar but no access to what I need on the right, just covers up where would be and only shows the date/time on right instead of control submenus I need (speakers, hidden etc). 

I am convinced it relates to Start 10 since I never had this issue until I updated Start 10 to the latest update, then upgraded to Start 11 and same problem.
End of davephx's quote

It very much sounds like the taskbar on that monitor is not the main one.

On Windows 10 the primary taskbar does not need to be on the primary display and only the primary taskbar shows tray icons.

If you go into Windows settings and disable showing the taskbar on additional monitors you will be left with one taskbar.  This is the primary taskbar.

If you cannot drag it then it may be locked.  Right clicking on the taskbar should let you unlock it.

I do not believe Start11 is involved in this as on Windows 10 (unlike on Windows 11) it has no logic for moving the taskbar itself and Start10 had none at all.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the good ideas.

Both taskbars were unlocked. I locked and then unlocked them again to be sure.

I turned OFF the "Show taskbar buttons on all displays,"  and yes, it only shows the primary but on the wrong screen 3. 

No matter where I grab the taskbar i,t won't let me drag it. 

Both were set for 150% scaling since reading from a Davenport, so I like to read easier. I changed both to 100%. Still can not seem to grab to move. 

Now, I disconnected Screen 3 completely by unplugging the USB. Pluggable USB to DVI connection. 

The proper taskbar is on the 1/2 mirrored screens without monitor 3.  It changed resolutions and moved stuff I had on #3 to #1/2, so it is a mess. I had some icons and Notezilla panels on 3. 1/2 has 2 fences, but they seem to be fine. 

Reconnect #3: 1/2 is back at 1920 x 1280, which shows native with correct good Start 11taskbar... Changed scaling back to 150%.

Now to Display on #3: Resolution is now recommended at 1080x1920. Under Multiple displays, options are only mirror 1 or 2 to 3 or Disable, none of which I want, so I left on Extend Desktop to this display since one has to be chosen.  Obviously, I do NOT check "make this my main display."

BTW I have always been able to drag things between monitors just not the correct Start 11 taskbar.  Also, I have an NVIDIA control panel, which I haven't touched for years, and I don't see anything odd there. 

OK, all is fine now on my primary screen. The only thing missing is seeing the Start 11 taskbar on #3.

I found the "Place taskbar on all screens" and checked. 

OK, I now have the Start 11 with all the needed stuff on all 3 screens.   SUCCESS!  It seems the solution was to disconnect #3 completely and start over with the setup.  

I did another shutdown and started again to be sure it stuck.  It does. Problem solved.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and if anyone else has this problem, perhaps all this detail may be helpful.