Start11 taskbar context menu freeze

Context menu freezes when autohide is enabled

from Stardock Forums

Windows Version Number: Windows 11 Pro 26200.9168
App Version: 2.81

Hi, I found this old topic: https://forums.stardock.com/527802/start11-2-07-taskbar-partial-freeze

Which has the same problem that I'm describing here. I've been having this problem for a good while, I'd say for months now, I think since I bought the software. But it's annoying me more and more. I managed to capture it on a gif, like the poster in that thread, I was tweaking each setting until I found the culprit, and apparently he's been having this problem since 2.07:

I use Start11 in my work PC and I don't think I have this problem, at least not as annoying as on my home PC.

I managed to capture a memory dump from the Start11.exe process in case it helps. Let me know how I can send the .dmp file.

I'm also a developer for windows desktop software, so I'm open to any debug process you might want to run: send me a debug compilation, generate a version with more logs, whatever you want. I know sometimes it's difficult to diagnose something that happens only on a client machine.

Stardock Software Start Menu Products start11 Type: Bug Report
253 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Unfortunately, I can't reproduce your issue on my system.



Would like to suggest, Please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back. And any other details that might help us to try reproduce your issue.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Ok, I had already done the uninstall, restart, etc sequence, but I did it again anyway, even selecting the option to remove all my settings, so I went with the default settings, just enabled the enhance task bar option, set it to auto hide like i showed, and it happened again.

I did some more testing, like I said, in my work computer I use start11 too and it doesn't reproduce there, so I tried to make my home computer more like my work computer: I stopped PowerToys, Steam, hardware monitor, etc. I changed my resolution and refresh rate, i disconnected my extra monitor, nothing changed.

What seems to have helped though was the mouse: At home I have a Logitech G502X Plus, it's a wireless mouse with 1000Hz polling rate. It seems like if I reduce it's polling rate to 125Hz it helps, but doesn't completely hide the problem. Also it seems like when I use a regular bluetooth mouse it helps too.

I tried installing the software on Windows Sandbox and couldn't reproduce (since it probably isn't using the mouse input directly).

Another thing: it seems like the first couple of times after restarting the PC are the worst, perhaps later on there's something cached and it's harder to reproduce. And speed is definitely a factor. Look at gif above, I recorded it at 60fps (and I think the gif renders at 30fps so it looks slowed down): the 1st and 3rd time I open the menu are the ones where it clearly freezes. I right click and on reflex my mouse is already on the Task Manager button, it's there before the animation finishes. In the 2nd try i right clicked, waited and then it clearly didn't freeze:

Seems to be some kind of concurrency problem between the taskbar hiding animation or something. If we let it play out, it doesn't reproduce, but again, if i'm quick enough, I can freeze the menu. Sometimes it comes back on its own, sometimes I have to hit the Win key on the keyboard.

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Can't do the polling rate test on my system, my mouse only max out at 125Hz. However, I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience. Thank you.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant