Jetdarc

Join Date 08/2025

Can't apply custom texture to taskbar in Start11

Whenever I try to apply any custom texture to the taskbar, it doesn't apply. It defaults back to the standard look of the normal windows taskbar. Applying the preset textures does work, but no custom file seems to work. It used to work for me before with a 2560x1440 image, but something changed, and I can't use it or any other custom image anymore. Not sure what to do next.

start11 texture taskbar custom start menu products

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

You on Windows 10/11? Also need its full version and OS Build number. Use Winver.exe to get those.
Start11 full version number.
If possible, please share the texture file so we can check it. Upload it to any image sharing site and post its link here. Don't forget to make it public.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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2. Start11 v2.56

3. Google Drive link to image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZh9iCSIjuRwO4hf9WQ-OZUh1J7-4VpK/view?usp=sharing

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Hello again,

I tested your texture and it look okay on my system. Refer to my screenshot below.

To make sure the newer version get installed properly, please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hey, tried your steps, and still no luck.

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Do you have an accent color applied. If so, make it a lighter shade, or Reset Default, so the texture will show.

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Tried both and even deleted the AccentColor key in regedit to completely reset it, to no avail

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Perhaps you should try the Clean boot steps: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1334935592/Start11+Clean+Boot. Do note that clean boot need to be done with care. Try it and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Tried using another admin account on my pc, and it ended up working - the texture applied flawlessly. Didn't do a clean boot on my main account, though. It could be that some app that I have installed might be blocking functionality (wild guess lmao).

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Great, glad to hear that, that show your original admin account got corrupted somehow.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Actually, it turns out that there was something with the file on my end that Start11 wouldn't read for some reason, so I tried changing the same image's file type, and it solved everything

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Quoting Jetdarc,

reply 10

Actually, it turns out that there was something with the file on my end that Start11 wouldn't read for some reason, so I tried changing the same image's file type, and it solved everything

Yes. Taskbar textures need to be a PNG file for best results.

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It actually was a PNG file at first. I tried using other PNG files, which worked, so I guess something about the original file I was trying to use was going wrong, specifically on my end (it's really confusing, but I'm glad I found a working solution that's a perfect alternative). I ended up having to convert that specific PNG into TIFF.

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Quoting Jetdarc,

reply 10

Actually, it turns out that there was something with the file on my end that Start11 wouldn't read for some reason, so I tried changing the same image's file type, and it solved everything

I am glad you found the root cause. But, strangely, that don't explain why its work on your new admin account while not on your original admin account.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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