Start11 v2 issue and feature suggestion

The issue with V2 requiring a new purchase has been beat to death over the past couple of weeks. Start11 V2 is an upgrade not an update and therefore requires a new purchase.

As for RoundedTB I have never used it but V2 does have an option for turning the taskbar into a floating style rounded bar. It may well be worth the few bucks to upgrade.

This is the first time I ever seen a program not allow a free update. I can see if this was for Windows 12 and charging people for it because it would be on a new OS but it is still an "update" to the existing Start11 program for Windows 11. Just adding "V2" to the name does NOT justify repurchasing again. This is a money grabbing tactic and is gross that people think this is ok. I do not care how big of an update it is. It is still an UPDATE to the Start11 namesake. There is a reason why people are mad at the devs for making us rebuy Start11. Literally making us buy the same program TWICE just because it is called V2 and has few new features is DISGUSTING!! This is a BAD business model and NOT how you keep people coming to this program. The devs keep this up and EVERYONE will switch to StartAllBack. You don't see programs like Wallpaper Engine, 3DMark, or any anti virus program charging people for every major update, do you?? This just does not make sense to make everyone REBUY the SAME program AGAIN. I get the devs have mouths to feed but that is where maybe a donation option can come in handy. Do not make people buy the same thing twice like WTF are the devs thinking. Hell if the devs are going to charge people more then create a subscription option. I would GLADLY pay like $10 a year or every 3 years or whatever to help fund this program just to have FREE UPDATES for life. I pay for my antivirus every 3 years. That makes it worth it. And I get free updates no matter how big or small.

If I have to rebuy Start11, then I am jumping ship and looking elsewhere like StartAllBack. If the devs make us pay for every update then Stardock will sink faster than you can blink. This is NOT how you gain the trust of consumers. This is BAD business behavior. Start11 is not a necessary program nor a premium one. Start11 is a optional program in which has many of competitors, NONE of which are charging for new versions. There is NO REASON to rebuy the same program for the same OS just cause it has a few new bits and bobs. ALSO, when I purchased my key for V1, it said LIFETIME USE. Meaning I should only have to buy a key ONCE for Start11. That is technically legal binding and Stardock could face a CIVIL SUIT case against them. You say this has been beaten to death over a period of weeks, so I am going to assume A LOT of people are not happy. Stardock better do the right thing and reinstate everyone's V1 key to work on V2. I don't care if it is only another $8 CAD I have to spend or $500 or even $1. You do not make us rebuy the same thing TWICE. It is logic and principle of business character to keep consumers coming back and keep them happy and if the majority of consumers are not happy, then guess what? Stardock will lose business and a lot of it. I HOPE the devs see this and make things right. This is the DUMBEST decision from the devs and from any company ever. The people have a right to be PISSED at this cash grab scam.

I really do not like expressing curse words on professional forums but that is how mad and disgusted I am as a consumer. 

Oh and also, I have the V2 and do not see ANY option of a so called "floating taskbar". So either you are mistaken or the devs are blocking that behind a paywall. Which is again MORE MONEY.

Sorry for the rant but this really boils my blood!!

"Just adding "V2" to the name does NOT justify repurchasing again."

I would have to disagree here. The changelog for V1 -> V2 is almost 30% larger than Start10 to Start11 which no one questioned was an upgrade based solely on the naming convention. The upgrade wasn't just some fixes either but also includes a lot of new functionality. Should SD have just waited for windows 12 before releasing? SD often fields complaints from users when updates don't come on a regular basis.

"You do not make us rebuy the same thing TWICE."

Just because they are both called Start11 does not mean, in any way, that they are the same.

"Oh and also, I have the V2 and do not see ANY option of a so called "floating taskbar". So either you are mistaken or the devs are blocking that behind a paywall. Which is again MORE MONEY."

Nope not mistaken nor a paywall. Here ya go.

It is for the same OS though and that is the point. It is still the same app same name just with new features. Again, other paid programs like 3DMark do not charge extra when a new better benchmarking test comes out even though they consider it a whole new version of app. It is common sense that if only features have changed that it is just an update not an upgrade. THOUSANDS of other apps free or paid go from a V1 to a V2 and not charge anything for the so called "upgrade". This is just a money grabbing SCAM from a now sketchy company. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about proper business tactics would call this out too as shady-as-fuck business tactics. Hence why the majority of people are complaining about it. If this was ok and the proper way of doing things then we would not be complaining now would we. Think about it. It is common fucking sense.

On the other note, I have V2.0 Beta 1.02 (downloaded from Stardocks home page) and clearly do not have this floating taskbar feature:

So either you have a version not available to public yet or I downloaded the wrong version (which I doubt as I got this from the "Try for free" button on the homepage).

Well if you say so. The version I have is the same 2.0.0.5 one you can get from your account download page. However if you can't be civil then I'll have no more to do with this conversation. I will only say this. SD has a clear policy that they have followed for many years. Every developer has the right to define their own terms. These terms are clearly spelled out and have been longer than any Start* product has existed. They are also not obligated to follow some other companies (or yours or my) paradigm. Also there are tens of thousands of software titles spanning back to Win95 days that has had paid upgrades that "Worked on the same OS". 

I don't see this as a scam as you put it because no one is tricked, forced, or coerced into anything. You can just as easily stay on V1, Use Win11's menu, or a competitors product. The choice is, and always has been, yours. 

As for your "The majority of people ..." remark. It really has only been a small handful. The rest of us didn't mind the few extra dollars for the several dozen bugfixes and new features. Some, like me, got it for free via our OD subscriptions.

Again sorry you feel the way you do hope you get what you're looking for.

You say I can easily stay on V1 but here is the thing, now that V2 is out, V1 will no longer be supported obviously and if a Windows update were to break Start11 for any reason then any V1 users will be pushed to V2 and forced to pay for the program again all for the sake of keeping Start11 up to date and compatible with new Windows updates. So no, one can not simply remain on V1 forever. Eventually everyone will be pushed to V2. So unless SD actually is still working on V1 actively as a separate entity then what you said is not true.

As I said I have V2.0 Beta 1.02. That is different from V2.0.0.5 obviously. So the question is, why is there 2 different V2's and which one is the newer/proper one? Cause I got mine from the homepage which should host the same version as the one on the account page. I checked for updates and mine says it is up to date, but yet you have a version that has more features. I am confused on that. All downloads should be the same, no? Otherwise that is just "misleading", yet another scummy business tactic.

You also said initially that this subject was already "beat to death over the past couple of weeks" implying that a ton of people are complaining, but now you say it was only a few people? Which is it?

As for your not acting civil remark, I am only expressing frustration to the situation at hand. It boils my blood when company greed takes over an amazing product.

I do not mean to offend you in anyway, and if I did, I apologize. I am just furious that a company would be so greedy. I could understand maybe if this was SD's only product (cause they would have to make money somehow) but they have a slew of other popular products and games that make them money. What they are doing now is simple greed. Like I said, I would be more happy if this was a subscription for $10 a year knowing I can get free update/upgrades forever. But to now make us pay every single update is scummy. Hell even if they want, let us update for free but paywall the new features and if I may choose I can pay to unlock said features as some sort of game-like DLC type thing. I do not want to repay for features I already paid for. Hell even make it Start11 and Start11 PRO. Just adding V2 to the name implies it is just an update. If they really were smart they would keep V1 and update its basic features into a basic V2, but if someone wants better features than they can opt in for the PRO version. That I can get behind. What they are doing now is wrong.

The one massive problem I am having is that I purchased a Lifetime Use key, but now they are going against that by making me purchase another key. If it states it is for lifetime use then that is legally binding and I could sue SD in a Civil Suit for wrongful business practices if I want. Like do not say it is a lifetime key if you intend on having your consumers buy a new key every update. What they are doing is illegal. That is the bottom line. SD is now untrustworthy in my eyes. I will let my free trial run its course but if at the end of it they have not found a better solution then I will most likely jump ship. I really do not want to support a scummy business. If you do then like you said, that is up to you. I just do not feel comfortable being taken advantage of and lied to by a company who is just out for the money.

£6........If the devs had released V2 with general bug fixes with a few new features i'd have been banging your drum with you...  But this version is an insaine update and for only £6... FFS i spend more on a cuppa tea in a cafe in London serval times a week WTF dudes.....

On the flip side... This app is freaking awesome!   

P.S  Please dont fix it untill it breaks...  

"Otherwise that is just "misleading", yet another scummy business tactic."

What you are forgetting is that V2 is not in a release state. There are betas that are released more frequently. In fact the latest one was just released earlier this evening (my time). Those betas usually don't go to the main product page but are available in your account for download. Had you simply asked "Where did you get that ..." instead of the "You must be mistaken" comment I or likely basj would have pointed you to the proper page to get it.

I do not know how long V1 will be supported but I'm reasonably sure it won't end as soon as V2 hits release state. It is true that MSFT can issue an update that could potentially destroy just about any product. Particularly those such as StartAllBack and Explorerpatcher that require the older w10 taskbar. Eventually MSFT will either remove or gut (much like they did with dwm and aero in w8) effectively neutering those programs.

"As for your not acting civil remark, I am only expressing frustration to the situation at hand. It boils my blood when company greed takes over an amazing product."

I don't fault you for airing a grievance whether real or perceived. However you can still do so civilly. In fact that is indeed one of the forum rules.

"You also said initially that this subject was already "beat to death over the past couple of weeks" implying that a ton of people are complaining, but now you say it was only a few people? Which is it?"

It is exactly what I said. "beat to death" simply refers to the constant ad nauseum ranting and does not imply any number of people. For example this thread which only involves 2 people could be considered as such.

"I do not mean to offend you in anyway, and if I did, I apologize."

I thank you for the consideration however it would be incredibly difficult to offend me. I was more thinking "You catch more flies ..." 

"I am just furious that a company would be so greedy. I could understand maybe if this was SD's only product (cause they would have to make money somehow) but they have a slew of other popular products and games that make them money. What they are doing now is simple greed"

I don't think the number of products relates to the companies needs. Neither of us has access to SD earnings and I don't think they publish them so we can't know for sure how well they are doing. I'm sure you have probably noticed that the cost of just about anything capable of being purchased is a lot higher these days. SD, the company, and its employees also have to pay those prices. I assume you have a job and I assume you make more now than you did 10 years ago (maybe not i can't know that) but I doubt you would work for a company knowing you will never get a raise. Especially when living expensive continue to rise. You would likely take some action (ask for a raise, find a diff job etc...).

"Like I said, I would be more happy if this was a subscription for $10 a year knowing I can get free update/upgrades forever."

Well do I have good news for you. You can (although its more than $10 a year but gets you access to free upgrades for a dozens or so apps) They call it Object Desktop (in case you didn't already know) and I for one think it is worth it (altho i typically despise the pay to play model).

Anyhow if you feel unsatisfied no one would blame you for moving on. I for one actually hope you can stick around. 

Good Luck

Ami

All this constant whining and b***shit talking about 'greed' really gets me up. If You can't afford those 4-6 Dollars You surely should have other priorities in life than buying deskmodding software for gods sake. *micdrop* 

Windows pro style menu Bug and suggestions

Bug - Show recently installed apps keeps enabling itself in the All Apps Menu

Suggestion - An option to simply delete a folder or file from the All Apps menu

Suggestion - Option to lock the menu size so i cant hover on the edge of the start menu to drag it wider and taller once setup how i want it

Suggestion - Option to have all folders at the bottom or top in the All Apps menu

Hello,

I believe it is best if you post your finding here: https://forums.stardock.com/523734

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Indeed I understand. I didn't think we were talking about segmented taskbar. The conversation actually never got that far. Personally I find the segmented style very ugly for my taste however I wouldn't be opposed to its inclusion.

I can definitely see it as another option to add. More options always equates to better software. Most likely the reason it hasn't really shown for me is because i typically have more than a dozen buttons on my taskbars. Also I was pretty sure StartAllBack also did a segmented view.

All that being said I would vote for the addition of this as an option if for no other reason than to attract more users and reduce the number of programs in use.

I would also like to see the segmented taskbar option like in RoundedTB.

Just curious, I saw today that I could get V2 with the Object Desktop Sub.  I have V1.5 installed on my system. In the Object Desktop window, I see V2, but clicking on open brings up an upgrade page.  I extended my subscription just now and still not offered as part of Object Desktop Sub.   Am I doing it wrong or misunderstanding something.  Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please try looking for Start11 v2 download link from your account product page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Start11 v2 should appear in there. Something like screenshot below. Note; Its an older screenshot so version list will be a little different.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

I've been using "Start" for years and i really like the new Start 11 v2 but one thing has been a little frusttrating to deal with.

When i type a query that returns no applications or files on my system it shows as a blank search, example:

The issue is that when i press enter to search on the web it opens file explorer instead of the expected browser window. (I would like to skip having to use the arrow keys or mouse to click the "See web results" button)

Suggestion: I would like to see an option where you can customise the applicaton that gets used for the search query when pressing enter rather than it just being file explorer. Another option could be to highlight the "See Web Results" button by default if there are no other items returned in the search query which would be a great too.

Other than that, Fences and Start have worked flawlessly organising and cleaning up the desktop so thanks very much for making them!

Thanks for the response.  I did finally get it to work.  I believe updating object desktop fixed the issue for me.