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.
Agreed
I just installed V2 and all of the settings were preserved. Warning you may need to use the offline activation, which is easy, as the online activation is mainly broken.
What problem did you have with online activation?
I had Multiple problems with activating it when I purchased the upgrade. I received the download and the key but could not access my account and when I did eventually there was no record of my purchase and no way to update the version if needed. After multiple online requests for help, Sean Drohan was able to help and sort out the issue, thank you, Sean. The automated help online needs help itself, especially in the area of email verification.
I could not access the activation server even with my AV disabled, while I had 300+ MPBS internet access. Offline activation, which requires an internet connection, worked just great.
Hello stardock team,
You claim there's two dozen new features in this article, but I can't find those within software. You also refer to the start 11 langing page for more information, where you can appreciate 26 screenshots from the software features, where most of them already exist on start 11 v1.
So what are really the new features?
Can you really call this is a totally renew and redisigned software?
Can you really ask for what is seems to me an update to pay the full amount of the software again to the people who already paid for a lifetime licence?
I believe this is an unfair trading practice, which is regulated and I aslo believe that I will contact the relevant authorities to review this software upgrade if they comply with standards trade made regulations.
Unless you show this is a real new software.
Kind Regards,
T.J.
Here is a list of all the new features in Start11 version 2 I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure I missed a few, but as you can see, way more than two dozen.
With Enhanced taskbar enabled
It seems wonderful, but it is still an update to previous software, you can not charge the full licence price to existing customer.
This is not an UPDATE, it is an UPGRADE!
Directly from the Stardock EULA, to which you agreed when you installed the software for Start11v1.
From Section 4. b. "... all future generations of the Software and all whole number versions of the Software (i.e., version 5.0, version 6.0, etc.) developed and published from time to time in the future (a.) are not deemed to be Updates, and (b.) are not considered licensed Software to you, and, therefore, you will be required to purchase a new license or license subscription as a condition of upgrading the Software to any such new generation or version."
Start11 went from version 1.0 to version 2.0 as an UPGRADE.
A discount is available for existing customers.
I'm not sure what all of the complaining for the upgrade is about. It is a nice upgrade for the very small price. I got the 5 license pack, essentially 5 licenses for the price of 2. I was happy to pay the price for this upgrade. This is the cheapest price I have ever payed for an update or upgrade.
Maybe I don't see it but is there a way to control the overall size of the Win7 style Start Menu? Like make it 80% of original size.
No, I don't think so. The smallest you can get (and the only setting that changes the size) is this :
Thanks Jan. I know that setting and It's not what I want. Thank you for trying.
If that setting could be set to a smaller size, I think it would mess up a lot of skins.
I think so as well but I don't think 80 or 90 percent would be too bad. Why are some of these start panels so big anyway? Because of huge monitors I suppose. Mine has to be at 1920x1080. Would like a bigger monitor but the one I'm using is fine so that's that. When it "breaks" I'll look for bigger.
I'm using a montior at 1920X1080 too, and just checked with an old and newer screenshot, and the start menu was smaller back in the days of XP. Can't remember when that changed, or if it's a setting I've missed. Now and then:
I know. If you look at vStyler's skins that are updated the Start Menu is smaller. I like that look. 2of3 has smaller Start Menus as well. It would be nice if the overall size could be "tweaked".
I did the upgrade. 4 bucks for an app I use daily for new features is a steal, not sure why everyone is complaining. That being said, I wish there was a one time pop up saying version 2 came out for a small upgrade price, I had no clue this came out til I was helping a friend with a new PC build who needed Win 11 but hates the way it looks. I showed him Windowblinds paired with Start11, than saw there was a new version.
I'm with iPooped... I paid for Start11, and I just checked for updates and it says I'm on the latest version at 1.47 Now I come here and see 2.0 requires me to pay again? I just bought the 'old' version less than a year ago. I'm here today because it's bugging out and I'm looking for support. More like uPooped. Auto-hide is not working, and when I disable it in the taskbar settings my taskbar doesn't work at all. I've previously purchased Stardock products, but guys this leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. If v2 is supposed to be a completely new product, change the name. And if you are going to say it restores the functionality of older versions of the start menu, I expect it to allow me to place it on the right or left side of the screen and work with auto-hide regardless where I place it.
WHAT UPGRADE LINK??????
If you navigate here:
https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/
and scroll down to where you see "Single license $6.99", etc. You'll see "UPGRADE" in small blue letters under the green, capsule shaped "GET IT NOW".
" If v2 is supposed to be a completely new product, change the name."
Change it to what? Start12? Start11 V2? Oh wait.
No, start calling them "Start11 Season Pass 2024"
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