Start 11 failure

from Stardock Forums

I have gone back to Windows 10 for the second time because of problems with Windows 11 and multiple programs, Start 10 and Start 11 have worked for years for me with Windows 10 with out any problem. Start 11 was working with Windows 11 for the 2 short periods when I have had Windows 11 installed. Unfortunately, today, suddenly, while I was working on some other problems with Windows 11, Start 11 quit working. The start menu reverted to the Windows 11 version and stopped responding to any changes to the interface. A reboot did not help. I did not try a reinstall because I new i was going to revert to Windows 10 with all the troubles I was having. I just wanted to report that this could happen and to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

start menu products
7,418 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have zero issues with Start 11 on Windows 11.  I realize this doesn't help you. 

Sometimes a person's issues with a program can be related to other programs on said machine, or a set of settings pertinent to said machine.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the reply. I didn't have any problem with Start 11 on Windows 11 for quite a while after I installed Windows . I should have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Start 11 but i was just too tired to struggle on. I realize that what you say about problems with a specific program being dependent on the particulars of the machine you are trying to run it on. I have Windows 11 on a laptop and have had no issues with it. The real problem as I see it is when you have a machine with complex installations with many programs which runs essentially flawlessly on Windows 10 and then that machine is upgraded to Windows 11 and then has a few (or many) problems. Where do the problems arise; they are due to Windows 11.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have Start 11 installed on a very complex 4 SSD Multi Booting System with no problems as of yet.

An Individuals set up can be so different from another members system and due to this many things can go wrong with many sections of the setup.

Maybe you could buy a used small 120 GB SSD from one of those types of shops popping up all over the place (less than £20) and try a clean install of Win 11 (i find Win11 Enterprise to be more stable than other editions) and see if it is the update process of one OS installed over another. Since Microsoft moved to the feature update some years ago, i have heard Horror stories of users systems going wrong, files and reg entries deleted during the upgrade and worst. At least this way you can try Win 11 Clean and fresh and rule out one big problem. I have done clean installs on all Feature updates and so far so good.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

after I returned to Windows 10, where Start 11 worked fine, I have reinstalled Windows 11 and Start 11 is working fine so far. Any more trouble and I will try the PURGE advice. I know the best advice is always a clean install. However my laptop with Window 11 and only a few apps installed that are not included With Windows 11 shows 82 apps in the App list. My main computer shows 410 apps. Faced with that kind of reinstall job I am always willing to try anything to avoid that except when I build and new computer or make major hardware changes like motherboard and processor. The last time I did that it took me 4 solid days of work to get everything reinstalled.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting [email protected], reply 5

after I returned to Windows 10, where Start 11 worked fine, I have reinstalled Windows 11 and Start 11 is working fine so far. Any more trouble and I will try the PURGE advice. I know the best advice is always a clean install. However my laptop with Window 11 and only a few apps installed that are not included With Windows 11 shows 82 apps in the App list. My main computer shows 410 apps. Faced with that kind of reinstall job I am always willing to try anything to avoid that except when I build and new computer or make major hardware changes like motherboard and processor. The last time I did that it took me 4 solid days of work to get everything reinstalled.
End of [email protected]'s quote

 

If you use software Like Macrium Reflect , it can back up all those apps in a short space of time, i do not suggest making an Image of your full installation as any faults or issues will be included in said backup, but it can really speed up any re install if you already have all those apps backed up, macruim has several settings, and for you it would be a file and folder backup only.

The best time obviously to make a full backup is when you have finished any future Clean Installs, then when you are happy everything works as it should, that is the time to create a full backup, then you will never be put off doing a clean install again as in around 15 Minutes the backup can be fully loaded complete, no more setting up this and that as the Image will have a clean install problem free. Too many peeps are put off doing clean installs for the reasons you say, but macrium can do it all for you in a few clicks, best of luck .

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

frankschabel - Are you using start 1.1 or 1.1.1.1. I had a similar issue using the beta version of start 11 where a file became corrupt and start 11 quit opening so I reverted back to 1.1 to fix this issue. However, for other people it is essential to use version 1.1.1.1 because they are using Windows 11 DEV build which broke some stuff for start 11. I think this is why Stardock is using 2 different versions for download. If one is giving you issues just switch to the other one.

info can be found here on how to access both release and beta https://forums.stardock.com/509537/page/1/#replies

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I use Macrium and back up every day so I can go back up to 2 weeks. You are then pretty safe until Microsoft messes every thing up again. And we users have to take their word that the changes in the new OS are worth the disruption. I don't think they are. None of cosmetic changes are worth anything and Microsoft never tells you anything about the non-cosmetic changes and how they change/disrupt the way programs run.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting [email protected], reply 8

I use Macrium and back up every day so I can go back up to 2 weeks. You are then pretty safe until Microsoft messes every thing up again. And we users have to take their word that the changes in the new OS are worth the disruption. I don't think they are. None of cosmetic changes are worth anything and Microsoft never tells you anything about the non-cosmetic changes and how they change/disrupt the way programs run.
End of [email protected]'s quote

I hear what you are saying about MS and the changes they make, Yesterday i had a Cumulative update and the malicious software removal tool to install on 3 of my SSDs setup, when it re boots there is always that moment when you think "fingers Crossed" 

Macrium is a fantastic tool to help you out of the Sh*te MS may inflict on us.