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.

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.

1. Three new Start menu styles
   Windows App style, Windows pro style, and Windows Launcher style
2. Filtered folders
3. Select item accent color
4. Mica effect on start menu background
5. Customizable fonts for Items, Headers, and Menu
6. Rounded corners on the taskbar
7. Adjust taskbar vertical offset/horizontal offset
8. Choose taskbar settings for normal windows vs. Maximized windows separately
     Blur, rounded corners, Auto color, Pick color, and transparency
9. Taskbar touch mode detection
10. Pin files to the taskbar
11. Pin folders to the taskbar
12. Pin Menu folders to the taskbar
13. Show folders as submenus
14. Show Microsoft Edge open tabs in search results
15. Show search results from Everything instead of Start11 search
16. Backup or restore settings
17. Colored backgrounds for Start11 menu groups/tabs
18. Apply transparency to group backgrounds
19. Apply texture to Group backgrounds
20. New Tabs feature in groups
21. Pin installed application from Start11 context menu
22. Enable text shadows for group headings
23. Icon tinting
24. Invert text color of group headings
25. Set group widths from 6 to 16 small icons
26. Set tab row count from Automatic to 20 rows
27. Save group settings as default for new groups
28. Launch entire group (Launch all items in a group or tab)
29. Setting to open menu on specific page for specific desktop
30. Reset icon positions
31. Lock or unlock menu
32. Hide/unhide items from the All apps list
33. Show flat list without folders in the All apps list
34. Allow All apps searching
35. Set Open folder as a menu for any folder on your start menu

With Enhanced taskbar enabled

1. Change font and font colors for taskbar buttons
2. Add Shadow to taskbar button text
3. Always hide text on taskbar buttons regardless of group state
4. Disable taskbar animations
5. Paint focused taskbar buttons less transparent
6. Set taskbar button style to Windows 10 or Windows 11 style

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.  

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:

Quoting JanOscar, reply 117

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"