Questions about Start11 versions

Start11v1 and Start11v2 are separate apps. If you purchase Start11v1 there is not a free upgrade to Start11v2, however, there is a small discount for v2 if you own v1. Visa versa, if you purchase Start11v2, it would not be a free downgrade to v1. You would have to purchase v1. Which ever version you purchase will include updates (not to be confused with upgrades) for as long as you own the app and Stardock supports it.

There is not a page for version histories, however, you can find changelogs in the Release and Beta release Feedback Threads.

Hello,
Let me answer some of your questions. Some has been answered by pelaird.

• Once a version was released it will replace the older version. You can not get to the older version. What you can do is to keep save all the version you downloaded. If there is beta version release you will usually get two download links. The latest official release link and the beta release link.
• Once you updated, you can always revert back to older version, by using your saved installer file. You will need to uninstall the current version before using the older version. Do know most of the time, the new version and the older version have the same name. Might need to save those downloaded installer file under different directory to differentiate between version.
• The app never force user to update.
• Start11 Version history log can be view here: https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/history

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

This is new. Where did this link come from? I also found change logs in the new Documentation section of Support.

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1331232834/Start+Menu+Changelogs

These are a very nice addition to the Stardock site.

Its not new. If you replace Start11 with Start8 in that address, you should be able to get to Start8 history log.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

I meant where is the link on this page? https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/

I don't think it publish there. I usually give the link if people ask for it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Okay. I tried replacing Start11 in this address with groupy, and sure enough, it brought up the change logs for Groupy.

These links should be published somewhere, or a mention that they are available in the Document section in Support.

https://support.stardock.com/page/software

Thanks for your replies.

basj and pelaird, thank you so much for your help! Where can I purchase/download Start11 v1?

The one and only place start 11 v1 is currently available to download and install is through an Object Desktop subscription. As a stand alone product it has been discontinued.

I believe that is only true if your Object desktop Subscription was active while individual license for Start11v1 available for purchase. If you purchase subs ObjectDesktop as a new subs now. I don't think any older version of the software included in it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Quoting basj, reply 2

• Once you updated, you can always revert back to older version, by using your saved installer file.

End of basj's quote

Thanks, that's at least helpful in confirming that there are no downloadable installer files for previous versions. I guess you all know better than to use the built-in updater?

IIRC, I usually used the Start11 built-in updater, so I don't really have any installer files that I downloaded. Does anybody know whether this built-in updater saves previous installers? If so, where?

Since the latest v1.55 is not really working well on my system, whereas the previous v1.50 did work well, I very much would like to be able to go back. Is there any way?

I have a really old installer file (something like 1.36 from 2023), but AIUI, I can't use this either to go back to v1.50. If I install it and use the built-in updater, I'm back at v1.55 -- which doesn't work well for me.

I mean... it's a weird concept to assume that your users never need to go back to a previous version. And if you provide a built-in updater that can't go back, you shouldn't force your users to create their own local storage of previous versions. At least the built-in updater should come with a warning like "please don't use this if you ever want to go back". Easier would be to just provide the installers for the previous versions.

I always make a habit of downloading updates from my Account download page https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products and save them to a folder with all the other installer versions. I use these downloads to install new versions, not the built-in "Check for Updates" installation.

If you do this, then you will always have an installer for each version update in case you need to go back to an earlier version.   

Yes, thanks, I've read this elsewhere, too. In a sense, everybody saying this is an indication that the built-in updater (together with the lack of a way to download older versions) is badly broken. It would help if Stardock told us this before it's too late -- some sort of alert when using the built-in updater: "Don't use this feature. Download the installer from the site, use it to update, and keep it around. This is the only way to go back to a previous version." It's not normal that a company refuses to provide earlier versions.

And it doesn't help me to get back to v1.50...

I don't think the issue will resolve with v1.50 too. Since from what I understand recent right click on taskbar menu issue appear when Windows introduced something new in its upgrade. Ref Dev report here: https://forums.stardock.com/530159/get;3941847

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Interesting. It's not the same problem, but quite possibly related. Thanks!