Stardock Announces Start11 v2
New Start Menu Designs, Taskbar Enhancements and Enterprise Features Now in Release Preview
Stardock announced Start11 v2 and the release preview of the industry's most advanced Start menu, today. This program allows users to fully customize the Windows 10 and 11 Start menu experience with unique features, designs, and restore classic functionality from previous versions of Windows.
New with Start11 v2 are three new Start menu styles that seamlessly blend with Windows 10 and 11. Each new style is centered around a different theme: Apps, Professional, and Launcher, and are fully customizable from top to bottom.
Start11 v2 is also enhancing the taskbar with new functionality that makes it faster to access your files and folders. With this release, you can now pin a file or folder directly to the taskbar without having to open File Explorer. And if you want to build your own quick access menu, you can turn a folder into a popup menu for quick access to frequently used files directly from the taskbar.
"This is a significant update and ships with more than two dozen new features” said Brad Sams, General Manager of Stardock Software. “And we are also introducing new enterprise features as well, including the ability to load a Start menu configuration on login, kiosk functionality that lets you lock components of the Start menu, and improved tooling for advanced deployments.”
Also new with Start11 v2 is an updated search experience with native integration with the Everything search engine. Additionally, Start11 v2 introduces the ability to backup and restore your settings from a file, improved animations when navigating within the Start menus, tinting for a unified icon experience, options for removing folders from the ‘all apps list’, and many more.
Start11 v2 is available today for a discounted price of $5.99 (reg. $6.99) during the release preview period and is also included in the award-winning Object Desktop suite. For more information, visit the Start11 v2 website here.
Why is more development on the start line bad?
I mean, Start 8 and start 10 hardly changed at all. Why are you against more development at a small cost?
Why is more development on the start line bad?I mean, Start 8 and start 10 hardly changed at all. Why are you against more development at a small cost?
Well typical human behavior is "I want it all for free forever". For the most part we have to overcome that and as such many people can accept a small cost etc... However that being said some folks still feel like they should never have to pay any more.
My confusion is how many people complain when the only "real" issue (if you can even call it that) is the naming convention. Folks didn't really complain going from Start8 to Start10 despite the differences being much less. In the case of Start11 the only name change you get is a tacked on V2. Some people may see that as an update and not an upgrade. That's the best I can figure.
One important thing to note is that you're paying for upgraded functionality NOT an upgraded name. Focus more on what the SW does and not what its called and you will do ok.
Here we go again!!!
Start 11 has been considered feature complete for a long time now so it's not like start 11 owners are even missing anything
Stardock is not like Microsoft and can't keep pushing "free" updates. This is because Stardock does not use telemetry to sell peoples browsing habits and they are not able to force people to upgrade their hardware with TPM chips or AI chips. Stardock actually has to make their money in a more traditional sense instead.
Right. Earn the customer. Remember if the product is free then YOU are the product.
So as a paying customer who PAID FOR Start11 "version one", I don't get access to "version two"?
Never buying anything you people make again. Especially not when there are FREE options that do exactly what Start11 does.
And don't go quoting EULAs to me. This is bull$hit, plain and simple.
I mean, the writing's on the wall right there where it says Stardock doesn't offer support on its own products... sending people to the forums instead.
No Version two is an upgrade not an update yes you do have to pay for upgrades. Most companies follow similar paradigms.
As for the "free" options I haven't seen a single one that has any of the features Start11 has. I am aware some have other features Start11 does not but the list of options for Start11 is massive many of which are exclusive. Also note that most of those other titles make use of the old Windows 10 taskbar which MSFT themselves has stated will be removed (I think it already has in the canary builds) and def will NOT exist in Windows 12. Which will make all those titles useless. Free or not.
The forums IS tech support. Not only can you get help near instantaneously from hundreds of users, The entire staff of Stardock monitors, and responds to posts quite frequently. You can post a question and get a response often within an hour from the guy writing the code. I mean what more do you want? Ever try getting support from MSFT? Never mind the fact that you have to pay for it (depending) but you're lucky if you get some lowly tech who can kind of barely speak english.
Stardock also has a support ticket system if you would prefer using that instead. You do have options.
I am having a hard time figuring out why you are upset exactly. Start 11 version 1 is a fully developed fully functional program. Compared to all the competition out there Start 11 version 1 is still the second best start menu program out on the market and is only behind Start 11 version 2. This is why we all bought it to begin with.
Since start 11 version 1 was released as fully finished product about a year ago, where exactly is the harm?
No, not for software issues. They send you to the forums.
Sorry I never used the support ticket system so I was unaware of that. However I still stand by my statement that the forum is far superior than any other support format. It is faster, has a lot more users (that can help) and you have a direct link to the developers. It also allows other users who may later find a need for a solution to locate one.
I guess to each their own. Use what you like. I just see no point to the ranting exit posts. Air a grievance if you like.
As the first option. When online [forum] assistance isn't successful/sufficient the Forum Support crew can elevate the issue directly to the people writing the code.
As many have said people are simply getting upset about a naming system. You can blame Microsoft for being one name level behind if you must...
To be fair, I don't particularly like the name either. It may be a small detail in an otherwise great product, but the name does feel off putting.
A better name as an example would be something like Start 11 Pro. Why? Because the connotation feels more connected to the original start 11 then the name version 2 does. Using the name version 2 puts a little more emphasis that version 1 may be old and outdated. The word Pro on the other hand put more emphasis on two working products and one being more premium.
I do like start 11 v2 very much. But hopefully there is a better name in the future.
Now that's a great idea...
Seems like if a company has a non-Pro version of software and a Pro version, both versions tend to be maintained and updated. I don't think that's the case here.
You also open up the question of what is a pro feature and what is not which basically puts you back where you are now and complicates the purchasing options.
Question, will V1 still get support updates if an MS update breaks something? or is it sealed in time at this point?
This is a quote from Brad Sams on discord "V1 will continue to work and receive updates"
This is exactly the point. Per Brad Sams they both will be maintained. The current naming leaves people to believe otherwise.
Yeah there is that. Admittedly, finding the perfect name is tricky which is why "pro" was only an example
Perfect all I needed to hear, V1 works great for me. Thank you..
how long will it remain a fully functional program? First windows 11 update will probably break it and they won't fix it.
Hello,Sorry to hear you are having issues. When that Windows 11 update came and it actually break Start11 v1 functionality, please come and report it here and we will try to help you.
Thank you.Basj,Stardock Community Assistant.
i think going with start11.1 and start11.2 or something might be a better idea. right now its kinda against the cognitive recognition going start11 v2 as a "paid for upgrade". it really felt like a slap to the face and a money grab (even tho its cheap, still just a sour taste about it)
my biggest gripe was when re installing start11 i downloaded it and installed it and when entering my licence it said "not valid" (nothing like this is a v1 licence you need to upgrade to a v2). the "upgrade" button is so insignificant and feels like upgrade from start8 or some such. i actually only found out about v2 when coming to the forums to sort out my "licence not valid" issue.
a banner on the page saying "we have launched v2!!! take note that it needs a new lic" would of gone a long way to keep this thread to maybe 3 pages instead of 6
nothing here says "hey you got v1 you need to pay to get v2". sure the icon changed
but still feels like we're re-paying for the same software. (start11 feels like adobe photoshop 2022, updates to make that version better are included, but if you want 2023 then pay for it) isnt the 11 already a "version"? i think this is why "we" are unhappy about it.
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ive paid and am happy with the software.. just still yikes
(i also know start11 works for both win10 and win11 so meh.. the 11 is really just the "name" i suppose)
I agree with you on the naming convention. It really began with Start8 and as new Windows versions came out the name was changed to match. Personally I would have preferred something like "Start" and then tack on to a version. Something like Version 1.0 2.0 etc...
With that said I do disagree to some extent. Most folks can understand (as I'm sure you do as well) that it's the functionality you pay for. In short what defines a "New version"? The name? The version #? Many developers (me included) usually follow a major.minor.build paradigm. Leaving aside build for the moment major releases are typically considered a new product. Windows 10 to Windows 11 would be a major release (Leaving the naming aside as well). Minor releases are typically things such as hotfixes, bugfix patches etc... (Think patch Tuesday). There was once a time where the same scheme Stardock uses was used by most companies. That is, minor releases are free but major releases are "Upgrades". While not free most of the time upgrades were heavily discounted for loyal current customers.
It's essentially a way for the company to say "We know its not free but we have done a ton of work and added a lot but are still willing to make it easier to buy in". It's probably the most "fair" method. Devs make money for their work (and I can assure you a lot of work goes into start11) while not breaking the bank for loyal customers. I would understand if it was every few weeks you had to buy a new version or if the release really didn't have much added but neither of those are the case here.
When looking at the changelog it becomes very clear that V2 is the largest upgrade, with not only fixes to additional functionality but all new functionality as well, than all other prior versions.
All that said I do understand the confusion and frustration with naming but I think now the ship has sailed on that. I could be wrong and Stardock could rename it but then they would have to rebuild at least a small portion of brand recognition. We would likely see more confusion with "What's this new XYZ app?" "Do I Need Start11 first?" "Does it replace Start11?" etc...
im also a dev hehe.
https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/
https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/
they started on a "windows version = startx version" but now without any communication changed that. i think thats what gets to me the most. so when win12 comes out and they "fix" 1 or 2 things they gonna launch start12 then right? as was pointed out the start11v1 to start11v2 was a bigger changelog than start8 to start11 even.
with win12 will it be start12 or start11v3 then?
i dont agree with "fixes" being a cause for the upgrade.
and everyone that goes on about "its only 6 bucks" or whatever.. you do realise its more than just the money right? as far as i can remember.. there also wasnt a "discount" for v1 clients. it was simply a discount for when v2 launched. (that are you eligible box was misleading)
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edit: when i did the upgrade there wasnt any difference between "upgrading" v1 to v2 price wise vs outright new customer (they had a pretty legit discount running at that time). i see now that there is a difference. R155 for new.. R89 for upgrade. so my previous comment was in err
I definitely understand. I'm not sure if I was clear before. A "Fix" would be an update and not an upgrade. As in a free update. You may be correct about the pricing I wouldn't know since I got V2 for free (well not technically but sort of). I didn't see the products page at all. Just saw the Thread on the boards and downloaded it.
Certainly it isn't always about the money. The only thing I would argue is that V2 was a significant amount of work and the devs should get paid for it. The amount or timing itself would be a separate argument (I'm sure many would make).
As for Start12 we don't really know. One thing we do know is that Windows 12 will include the "new" taskbar that Windows 11 has (and likely gut the old Windows 10 taskbar). So its very likely that Start11 would work for Windows 12 OOB. It may be that Start12 is just a rebrand of Start11 possibly free. It could also be like V2 was and have a significant amount of new functionality to go along with a new name and cost an upgrade fee. We can't really know as of yet.
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