Start11 freezes Start button and system tray after a while, plus upgrade nag popups

from Stardock.net Forums

 

Hi all,

I’m running Start11 v1.55 on Windows 11 [edition, version and build, e.g. 24H2, build XXXXX], and I have two problems.

1. Start button and system tray freeze
After Start11 has been running for a while [roughly how long: hours, days, or after sleep/wake], the Start button and the system tray stop responding to clicks. Nothing happens when I click them. The only way I’ve found to get them back is to uninstall Start11. [Restarting explorer.exe from Task Manager does / does not help.]

2. Constant upgrade prompts
Start11 keeps asking me to upgrade to a newer paid version. I already own a license, and the repeated prompts are annoying. Is there a setting that disables the upgrade prompts completely, and not just the update check? If not, please consider adding one.

What I’m running

  • Start11 version: 1.55
  • Windows 11 build: [run winver to get this]
  • Other shell or UI tools installed: [e.g. Fences, other Stardock apps, ExplorerPatcher, StartAllBack, or “none”]
  • Recent Windows updates or driver changes before this started: [yes/no, details]

What I’ve tried / plan
[Anything you’ve already tried.] Next I plan to do a clean uninstall, reboot immediately, install the latest version (I understand it’s v1.60) from my account’s product download page, and reboot again. I’ll report back after a few days, since the freeze only shows up after some time.

Questions

  1. Is v1.60 covered by my existing license, or does it need a paid upgrade?
  2. Is the Start/tray freeze a known issue in v1.55, and was it fixed in v1.60?
  3. If it happens again on v1.60, what logs or info should I collect for you?

Thanks

 

Type: Question
153 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting mohakmore02,

What I’m running

  • Start11 version: 1.55
  • Windows 11 build: [run winver to get this]
  • Other shell or UI tools installed: [e.g. Fences, other Stardock apps, ExplorerPatcher, StartAllBack, or “none”]
  • Recent Windows updates or driver changes before this started: [yes/no, details]
End of mohakmore02's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Your post is very confusing and your issue look very similar to this thread: https://forums.stardock.com/542656/start11-nagging-upgrade-pop-up-windows-and-frozen-start-charms/page/1#4148511. If you really have this issue. Please give details on those items you posted above.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I am writing to report the same issues today, October 15, 2026, following the latest Windows 11 update. Start11 V2 has stopped responding; it now displays a black screen and freezes whenever I open the Start menu. The Start menu is extremely sluggish, prone to freezing, and appears with a black background. My operating system version details are as follows:

Windows 11 Pro (Genuine/Activated)
Version 26H2 (Build 26300.9711)
System Language: Portuguese (Brazil)

Start11 Version: 2.81
Software in use: Start11 V2 and Fences 6.58 . I have had to disable the Start11 features until an update from Stardock is released to resolve this. As a developer myself, I have investigated the issue and can confirm with 100% certainty that it stems from an incompatibility with the latest Windows update. You will likely see other users reporting this same problem soon.

Thank you, and I look forward to a fix so that I may continue using the software.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting Fryntz, reply 4148561

I am writing to report the same issues today, October 15, 2026, following the latest Windows 11 update. Start11 V2 has stopped responding; it now displays a black screen and freezes whenever I open the Start menu. The Start menu is extremely sluggish, prone to freezing, and appears with a black background. My operating system version details are as follows:

 

Windows 11 Pro (Genuine/Activated)

Version 26H2 (Build 26300.9711)

System Language: Portuguese (Brazil)

 

Start11 Version: 2.81

Software in use: Start11 V2 and Fences 6.58 . I have had to disable the Start11 features until an update from Stardock is released to resolve this. As a developer myself, I have investigated the issue and can confirm with 100% certainty that it stems from an incompatibility with the latest Windows update. You will likely see other users reporting this same problem soon.

 

Thank you, and I look forward to a fix so that I may continue using the software.

End of Fryntz's quote

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Do know that your issue and the OP issue is not the same. You're on Windows 11 26H2 while the OP is on Windows 11 24H2 and he is on Start11v1.55 while you on V2.81. etc etc.

It is best to create your own thread to let us help you on your issue properly and not get confuse with OP issue.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.