Start11
- August 3, 2022
- Stardock
Get on SteamStart11 v2 is a customization tool for Windows 10 and 11, allowing users to fully personalize their Start menu experience with unique features and designs. The new version offers three distinct Start menu styles: Apps, Professional, and Launcher. It also enhances the taskbar with new functionality, such as the ability to pin foldeders, round taskbar corners, and create a floating, modern design.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Start11 effectively restores the classic Start Menu experience, making Windows 11 more user-friendly and customizable.
- The software offers a variety of customization options, allowing users to tailor their taskbar and Start Menu to their preferences.
- Many users find Start11 to be a valuable tool for enhancing their Windows 11 experience, especially for those who dislike the default Start Menu.
- Stardock has abandoned support for the original Start11, forcing users to purchase a new version (Start11 v2) at a higher price for updates and features.
- The software is plagued by bugs and performance issues, with many users reporting crashes and slow functionality, particularly after Windows updates.
- Users feel deceived by Stardock's business practices, as they are required to pay for updates that should have been included with their original purchase.
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of Start11 is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder the experience. While it does not appear to impact overall PC performance, the software is described as slow and sluggish, often leading to frustrating issues like freezing and synchronization problems. Overall, many users express a strong preference for the default Windows 11 start menu over dealing with the instability of Start11.
“This version of Start11 is incredibly buggy, slow, glitchy, often feels sluggish and will crash out of nowhere. It is so bad I am now willing to just deal with the stock Windows 11 start menu rather than having to deal with this software again.”
“The main issue with it is that it is a bit buggy; the program needs a lot of optimizations. It doesn't necessarily reduce your PC performance, but when you're using the Start11 start menu, you can encounter some bugs, like the start menu simply freezing or your profile picture in Windows 7 not being synchronized with the menu scrolling.”
“It has a lot of bugs and glitches.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The optimization of the app has been criticized for being buggy and not fully optimized for touch controls, leading to issues like overlapping menus and freezing. While users report that it doesn't significantly impact overall PC performance, they do experience occasional stuttering and other minor bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, the app requires further optimization to enhance its functionality and user experience.
“Nice but it is not optimized for touch; it would be perfect. Using the touch gesture opens the classic menu, not the Start11, with a bug that shows it overlapping behind the taskbar.”
“But the main issue with it is that it is a bit buggy. The program needs a lot of optimizations. It doesn't necessarily reduce your PC performance (I didn't have any performance issues with my PC, even with low-medium specs: Ryzen 5500U, Vega 7 (AMD's integrated graphics), 8GB of RAM & an SSD), but when you're using the Start11 start menu, you can encounter some bugs (like the start menu simply freezing, or your profile picture in Windows 7 not being synchronized with the menu scrolling).”
“Love the features, but hate some bugs and performance issues.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the program are visually appealing, with users noting improvements when using tools like Start10, but there are significant bugs and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience. While performance on lower-end PCs is generally stable, certain features, such as the Start menu, can lead to freezing and synchronization problems. Community artwork showcases the potential for enhanced visuals, suggesting that users explore these options for a better aesthetic experience.
“I used Start 10 on Windows 10 and it improved the visuals a lot.”
“But the main issue with it is that it's a bit buggy; the program needs a lot of optimizations. It doesn't necessarily reduce your PC performance (I didn't have any performance issues with my PC, even with low-medium specs: Ryzen 5500U, Vega 7 (AMD's integrated graphics), 8GB of RAM & an SSD), but when you're using Start11, you can encounter some bugs (like the Start menu simply freezing or your profile picture in Windows 7 not being synchronized with the menu scrolling).”
“Check community artwork to see what you can do with it.”
“Check out the other artworks and screenshots too; they may show something that I didn't use.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized for intrusive advertising, including pop-up ads and automatic browser redirects to promote other products, which negatively impacts the app's performance and user experience.
“When you restart your PC, you will be bombarded with ads for their other products, as well as automatically opening your browser to their products for you to buy.”
“They added pop-up ads, which made the app not run smoothly.”
- humor1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the app lacking, particularly criticizing the decision to implement a paid update as unamusing.
“The app is cool, but this paid update decision is unfunny.”
“The jokes fall flat and feel forced, lacking any real wit.”
“I expected a lot more laughs, but the humor is stale and predictable.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that the music integration in the Windows 10 style start menu is nearly identical to the original, but it lacks functionality for dynamic app blocks, such as displaying email notifications or Spotify music suggestions.
