Start11 2.8.1 – taskbar app buttons disappear on Insider Dev build 29698
Enhanced taskbar loses all app buttons after updating from build 29671
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Windows Version Number: Microsoft Windows Version Dev (OS Build 29698.1000)
App Version: 2.8.1
Since updating Windows Insider Dev from build 29671 to 29698, the app buttons on my taskbar disappear whenever Start11's enhanced taskbar is on. The search box and the widget area still show, but no app buttons. Disabling the enhanced taskbar brings them back, but then I lose all my taskbar customization, so that isn't really a fix.
System
- Windows 11 Pro, Insider Dev channel, build 29698.1000 (worked on 29671)
- Start11 2.8.1.0
- Also installed: Object Desktop 4.8, WindowBlinds 11.0.7.1, Fences 7.0.0.3, ObjectDock 3.0.4.0
What I've seen
- Start11 had written S11_FailureState2 = 1 and S11_FailureState4 = 1 to its registry settings, so it looks like it fails to hook the Windows taskbar on this build.
- At that point I was using the Windows taskbar with Start11 customizations (texture, rounded corners, hidden labels), not the Start11 taskbar.
- Two Start11_64.exe processes were running at the same time.
- WindowBlinds 11 (wb11config.exe) also crashed with an access violation (0xc0000005). Not sure if it's related.
What I've tried
- Cleared the failure flags, turned on the Start11 taskbar, and restarted Explorer and Start11. Buttons still missing.
Possibly related: "OS BUILD 26220.9836 Start11 v2 Release (2.8.1)", which also has no fix yet beyond disabling the enhanced taskbar.
Is there a Start11 build that supports Dev build 29698, or a workaround? I can provide logs or screenshots if they'd help.