Star11 2.53 Beta Feedback

With the Start11 2.53 beta release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.  

Obtaining Object Desktop Insider Builds

Object Desktop Manager

Object Desktop members can get beta and Insider builds from within Object Desktop Manager with 'Enable Object Desktop Insider builds' enabled:

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Stardock Download Page

Or via their download page in the ‘Object Desktop Insider’ section

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Obtaining Beta Releases

Stardock.com

If a beta was released, Object Desktop Members would see it in the ‘Object Desktop’ section.

Individual purchases would see it on their registration of the product under their download page.

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Steam

  • Right-click the Product in Steam

  • Properties

  • Betas

  • Select the beta branch at the top right (there is no password)

Example

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Reporting an issue

Please include the following for anything found:

  • Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)

  • Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen

  • Screenshots and videos are very helpful.  Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post.  Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.

  • If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions.  If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.

Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making Start11 v2 a better product.

7,194 views 6 replies
Reply #1 Top

Start11 2.53 Changelog (Released 06/26/2025)

Version

  • UI: 2.53

  • Start11Config.exe: 2.5.3.1

Changes

  • Resolves issue with not always releasing reserved space when closing an app that docked to the side of the screen, such as Multiplicity KVM switch bar or other third-party docked bars—especially when the taskbar is at the top.

  • Resolved issue with enhanced taskbar not showing status indicators correctly for some running apps.

  • Tweaks to start button sizing with vertical taskbars on Windows 11, especially when using small icon mode.

  • Tweaks to drag & drop in Win10/Win11/App/Pro/Launcher menus to make creating folders easier and less like playing chase the item around :)

  • Resolved issue with dragging out of a group in Win11/App/Pro/Launcher menus where you couldn't always drag out of a folder to a group below.

  • Resolved issue with taskbar texture not refreshing when the OS accent colour changes.

  • Resolved issue with on-top taskbar not in enhanced mode, where clicking on the taskbar search field would cause the search window to appear off the top of the screen.

  • Improved handling of “new” app indicators: apps flagged as 'new' in Win10/11/App/Pro/Launcher menus will now have the flag removed either after being run, right-clicked on, or automatically after a short period.

  • Improved sorting of child items in subfolders in the All Apps list.

  • Start10-style search no longer shows Control Panel results that duplicate items already shown in the Control Panel section.

  • Enabled sort A–Z option for folders and Fences groups in Win11/App/Pro/Launcher menus.

  • Small tweaks to icon and tile image loading for Universal apps on Windows 10/11/App/Pro/Launcher menus.

  • Fixed issue with setting pins to only show on a secondary monitor not working for some apps. Users will need to reset this setting for affected pins.

  • Tweak for showing seconds on the clock in Windows 24H2, now that this is natively supported by the OS.

  • Tweak to limit the maximum number of taskbar rows on initial load to prevent layout issues caused by bad values saved after a resolution change.

  • Fixed an issue with Live Captions in Windows 11 when using a vertical taskbar or a bottom taskbar positioned at the screen edge.

  • Tweak to resolve issue where clicking the very top edge of the Start button on high-resolution screens would not reliably open the Start11 menu.

  • Fixed issue with pinning Universal apps to Win7-style menu using the old Start10-style search, which incorrectly pinned a folder instead.

  • Changed default behavior for opening web searches to use the system’s default browser.

  • Resolved issue with clipping and positioning of a custom Start button on a secondary display.

  • Resolved issue with PNG background transparency.

  • Resolved issue with All Programs menu not having sorted submenus.

  • Resolved issue with Russian language search functionality.

  • Fixed missing context menus for Settings and Windows Terminal when on the Quick Access list.

  • Resolved issue with arrow keys acting incorrectly during folder searches.

  • Added a new option in the Appearance menu to choose whether the background should use the selected color.

  • Added a new option to make All Apps / More buttons only show on mouseover in right-click menus for Win10/11 menu styles.

  • Targeted fix to resolve isolated issue with vertical taskbars not showing thumbnails for some customers.

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Reply #2 Top

Known issues

While we appreciate all feedback, please remember that we offer no official support for beta \ preview \ developer channel versions of Windows. If you report issues while in any of those early release channels, you should not expect them to be addressed unless it still exists in a retail version of Windows.

  • tbd
Reply #3 Top

***Reserved***

Reply #4 Top
  • Tweaks to drag & drop in Win10/Win11/App/Pro/Launcher menus to make creating folders easier and less like playing chase the item around

Thank you for this. This has always been an issue for me. I still think an option to require holding the shift key would be helpful. 

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Reply #6 Top

All,

We have released Start11 2.53 today.  For details, please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/536824/start11-253-release-feedback

As always, thank you for the time, feedback, and support. 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager