Customize The Windows 11 UI With Start 11 V2

Today we are looking at Start 11 V2 and showing how much you can use this tool alone to customize the Windows 11 UI. We will not only change the start menu but also the taskbar and many other UI elements in Windows 11.
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[@ranaldmclean985]

Just so you know, your sponsor bent over backwards to help me when i had trouble, they responded super quick and walked this old guy thru.

[@CyberCPU]

Good to hear. Thanks.

[@hpguru]

I've been using Start11 for several months. Love it!

[@Hawkwind65]

Thank you very much for posting this. I've just finished doing a reinstall, so, great timing..

[@gotbordercollies]

Another AWESOME video Thank you Rich

[@realChewky]

That temp mail trick is super cool.

[@boedilllard5952]

You had me in shock. I thought MS had actually tried to improve their start menu until I saw that this is an add in like classic shell.

[@stephenhall3515]

Awesomely thorough -- as always.

[@ppmENTERPRISE]

I have been using Start 10 for Windows 10 for a number of years. And I like it so much I have been using Start 11 for about a year now and I simply loving it. I enjoy your VLOG... Nicely done... =)

[@TheForce_Productions]

Does Start11 work in Windows 10 as well?

[@uglybozo]

@@TheForce_Productions bit late but yeah

[@PanSokhom]

Thank you for sharing the video

[@johnwittman1000]

Hey thanks very much for the software for the start menu I am really enjoying the software and the new style of start menu it's actually making me want to keep windows 11

[@johnwittman1000]

It funny i look at the website for start 11 and it's so funny because I remember when this company first came out I was on like Windows XP or Windows 2000 I don't remember but I remember trying to turn my computer theme into a Mac

[@Aranimda]

I'm still on StartAllBack and I love it.

[@pcaviator687]

I've used Start 11 for a few years now and I really like it. It's not very expensive and it's very useful. I hate the OG start menu.

[@waffle911]

I use Start11 "Modern Style" start menu. Very compact with a scrolling Programs list that reduces clicks. I have a 10" ultra-portable, so this compact option frees up a lot of the very limited screen real estate.

[@KillahManjaro]

It's the best.

[@GBR9794]

mine broke my computer and caused too many bugs + bsod and I had to upgrade repair reinstall windows 11 to fix it after uninstall it. never again.

[@jasonhillone]

love this app so much better than the stock start menu

[@KyanoAng3l0]

There's also a built-in support for Everything search (shown in 22:54), allowing to use Everything straight from the Start Menu, which's one of the reasons why I've upgraded to Start11 V2. Been using Everything since Windows 10 as a Windows Search replacement cos it's just way better. The indexing takes a while at first, but afterward, you can look up any file/folder on your PC instantly. Before Start11 V2, I also used the add-on Everything Toolbar, which lets you use Everything straight from the taskbar. I think you should check out and showcase Everything in a future vid.

[@cashtimevideo1501]

I agree! 'Everything' is an amazing app!

[@MrREDSTAR20]

This is awesome i love the round start bar and holy customization Batman too bad Microsoft doesn’t let us do this by default

[@oracle331]

Upgraded already and it was very easy to do.

[@KillahManjaro]

I use Start 11 Windows 10 style. It's perfect for what I need. I just recreate all my installed app icons and saved them as PNG in my customize folder.

[@DavidPereiraLima123]

You deserve more likes just for the Stargate reference alone.

[@ValenceFlux]

Windows xp had something like this and it turned out to have all sorts backdoors and memory leaks. Searching for it still results in page blocks to this day lol. Good to see a positive review on Stardock. I was skeptical of it.

[@EricTheGrey]

I used to use a Stardock product back when I had Windows XP and 7. They had a button-bar that hung out at the top of my screen for quick access to programs I used regularly. I ditched it when 10 came along, and made it easier to access programs. I might look into it again. For $10, its not a terrible deal. Depends on what else it offers, since for the most part, I do like Windows 11's interface. Yea, I'm one of them. :P

[@bbo1779]

Thanks for posting this program. The ability to pin files to the taskbar is huge (IMO). I did not know about the tempmail program. I intend to use that for software trials from now on.😀

[@colt5189]

What I've done on some of those is just make up a garbage email, and I usually can get through the email requirement. Though at times I have to put in an email like that, I have burner emails that let you generate burner emails that you can delete later on if say you started getting spam on them or something.

[@bbo1779]

@@colt5189 Thanks for the information.

[@buccizero]

Brad Sams will be thrilled to see this coverage

[@Jeff-66]

if you mean the Stardock CEO, his name is Brad Wardell

[@JessicaFEREM]

If you hate the way windows 11 functions and want the old taskbar back, StartAllBack gives you a 100 day trial and costs $5. it makes windows not just look like old windows, but feel like it too because it replaces the taskbar with the old one, just themed to match windows 11 (or windows 8/7 if you want)

[@MatthewCrawford]

I have been using this product (object desktop) since Win 11 release and it has restored the functionality and usability that was removed in Win 11.

[@Teddykhil]

Thanks a heap, Just watching you "Suit" up Windows 11 makes it look and feel so much better with this new upgrade. I"ve got my box, my internals, and will have all the operating system done next Mon' or Tue', So I'm doing all the searching around for the good stuff. YOU have made it look so much better with your inside tutorials, plus I've got Start11 allread so that will be the second thing loaded after DOPUS, this is SOO OOOOO much better than the stock ugly Windows Explorer. Been using Dopus for nearly 15 years and already up to v12. So it's totally worth it. Have a look at it. Cheers Teddy

[@WSS_the_OG]

Thanks for this Rich! I was hoping it might let us relocate the taskbar to the left or right of the screen (vertically), and let us relocate on which monitor the system tray icons live. Oh well, maybe in V3?

[@Gjd94]

you look so good

[@lloydc5736]

Nice video, seems like a great program, but isn't Microsoft on a mad crazed effort to block any changes to it's start menu?

[@bdsams]

i run the Start11 v2 team and Start11 v2 is not impacted by Microsoft's blocking of customization apps. We dont use the Windows 10 taskbar in Windows 11, we wrote our own enhancements for Start11. The apps that are being blocked are those that re-enable W10 taskbar in W11.

[@tonywise198]

@@bdsams Keep at it Brad and team. Thanks for a great utility.

[@TheForce_Productions]

Microsoft actually should include this kind of interface into their OS for us to avoid paying third-party gadgets.

[@lloydc5736]

@@TheForce_Productions Agreed, but I believe MS doesn't really care how users, feel or want, putting as little effort as possible into the OS except when a t update/change is required, unless of course it's to their benefit.

[@TheForce_Productions]

@@lloydc5736 Sure thing, all their effort is dedicated to create spying processes and bloatware, not for develop a better and nicer interface.

[@Hodenkat]

That's a lot of settings! Pinning things to the taskbar REALLY should have been in Windows 11.

[@mattp6089]

Once they added folder creation into it, I finally managed to make the 11 start work effectively for me instead of frustrating me. It's fine now, can be made to work how I need it to.

[@billyguthrie3176]

I think the first option in start 11 if i were the developer would be allowing users to resize the width and Height of the menu as well as make it a single column all apps view. Having five versions of the windows 11 menu where the only seeable difference is just basically some icons were moved around would be redundant!

[@cashtimevideo1501]

I used Stardock's 'Window Blinds' on Windows 10 for a few years, and it transformed the whole UI experience! So when my old PC 'died' last month, I bought a Windows 11 PC, and one of the first apps I installed on the new system was Window Blinds, then because I trusted Stardock's software, I also installed Start 11 V2. Gone is the bland Win11 desktop and start menu!! Well worth the money for both apps! ⭐

[@TheForce_Productions]

I'm on Win 10 and looking to improve my start menu, so 'I'll give Window Blinds a check. Do you know if Window Blinds can turn task manager and/or control planel in Windows 10 into correct dark mode?

[@cashtimevideo1501]

@@TheForce_Productions I'm not really sure about that, but you can add things to an exceptions list if WB causes problems with the UI, especially on older apps. You can specify WB to not skin a program, and various other options. I use Start11 as well as WindowBlinds11, and combined they give my desktop a Windows 7 look😎. But yes, give Start11 a try if that's all you want to change!

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

@@TheForce_Productions Its better to buy Stardock Object Desktop. It includes Windows Blinds, Start V2 and a load of other great programs.

[@misfitsailor]

With Start11 you CAN use large start buttons without resizing them, you just change the taskbar from small to large. I use the red angry bird full size. You can also choose to show the taskbar items vertically centered, looks awesome! Start11 is worth the $10 for me.

[@DavidNationSr]

i have used this for a long time

[@meecob]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the new version of Windows 11 going to be blocking these kind of apps ?

[@piotrbiedowicz1602]

Yes

[@brauliob]

@@piotrbiedowicz1602 24H2

[@bdsams]

Hey @meecob, i run the Start11 v2 team and Start11 v2 is not impacted by Microsoft's blocking of customization apps. We dont use the Windows 10 taskbar in Windows 11, we wrote our own enhancements for Start11. The apps that are being blocked are those that re-enable W10 taskbar in W11.

[@regwatson2017]

@bdsams Thanks for clarifying. I went to your website and it appears that Start 11 can be purchased outright. I was interested in some of your other software until I saw that they were subscription based. Where it wasn't subscription based it was too expensive IMHO. Start 11 however is very reasonably priced.😊

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

Stardock said no

[@randyginger69]

hi rich nice video been using Start11 and i recommend it! can u provide a link for your angry bird start icons please. keep up the good work been watch u for a while now

[@nicholasgilbert4227]

Folder as a menu.. Hell yeah!! Like the good old days adding a custom toolbar to the task bar. I don't know why Microsoft removed that functionality

[@__justin__]

I don't mind W11 start menu much. That Windows 11 taskbar! I'm still using Quick Launch taskbar at Windows 10 for example.

[@conza1989]

Ok, what I'd love to change - Windows search bringing up Bing! I wish, it could be configured in the OS, but if it can't, just go to whatever the default browser is and the default browser search engine.

[@lycanthoss]

you can disable bing search in windows explorer

[@Evoxyoutube]

I use startallback, any chance you tried this one? If so which do you prefer

[@JendaLinda]

The only thing I'm missing in Win11 is the large clock when you click on the clock on the taskbar. I wish there was some quick and convenient way to show a large clock.

[@davemail]

I can't use Windows 11 without Start11. It gives you so many choices to customize the start menu, you can spend an hour or more tweaking it to your perfect satisfaction. Even at twice the price it would still be a bargain, considering how often I have my face in this interface.

[@mistergutsy82]

I bought this 3 months ago and I love it, Microsoft wants to block third party programs like this with 24H2 update. If only Microsoft gave us these options built into WIndows we wouldn't need to buy third party programs.

[@saloscontent]

is it possible to use video? instead of pictures i dont see why not but i guess it needs to be implemented if so

[@anthonymussari8783]

nice shirt

[@regwatson2017]

If Microsoft just bought this Company and put it in frigging Windows they would solve 90% of the complaints people have with their software.

[@RP-kz5zo]

If microsoft bought it, you would have to pay for it i guess

[@yeahthatkornel]

@@RP-kz5zo I'd pay for it.

[@tonywise198]

They buy it and kill it!

[@robertmurdock7530]

Yes, but that would be FAR too simple 😂

[@Me__Myself__and__I]

Worst damn idea ever! Microsoft is removing customization. If they bought it they would either make it unavailable or neuter it to be useless. We need more companies making this kind of software, not less!

[@KLanio-lr8yv]

So. All gone after big updates?

[@dolphhandcreme]

Can it bring the Taskbar back to the left side of my wide-screen so I don't loose that much pixels?

[@Anon00011]

I personally do not support startisback, however Open-Shell is where it is at for me with no cost, and enough customization to boot. I downloaded a custom start button as a .png applied that, set the start menu style to classic with two columns, under Taskbar set transparent and taskbar to opacity 0, under skin set dark and click ok thats mostly my settings and love it.

[@ofeseran6038]

Does these changes effect pc's performance if on a low end pc?

[@davinp]

You can remove the Recent documents on the Windows 11 Style Start 11 and customize the look of the menu

[@topgeardo]

I downloaded right away, I love this program a shame I will buy it when I can (when I have the money, yes I know it'sonly 10$, but i live in complicated country) because I love it so much, I can go back to win 11 start menu now, the round and transparent taskbark is gorgeous, thank you very much.

[@allenellsworth5799]

Argentina?

[@topgeardo]

@@allenellsworth5799 Venezuela

[@topgeardo]

@@allenellsworth5799 Worse: Venezuela.

[@allenellsworth5799]

@@topgeardo Damn. Sorry about that. Hope things get better.

[@rotoguru]

KDE Plasma user interface of Linux has Windows 10 menu as an option (widget named Tiled Menu). Free and open source.

[@wittywilla]

I've been daily driving start 11 for a while now - the original v1 version, and the v2 version as well. The only gripe I have with it is the fact that some of its features cause constant crashing. Outside of that, it's my preferred way to use Windows 11 (Because I just can't stand the new way search works)

[@r.g.c.3897]

Since I've used Win 10 I have used Openshell which is open source, free, and gives you the choice between Win 95 or 2 different variations of the Win 7 start menu. I also used OldNewExplorer which replaced the Win 10 file explorer with the Win 7 style. After going to Win 11 I still use Openshell for my start menu but sadly OldNewExplorer won't work in Win 11, fortunately I found Explorer Patcher which is also open source and free and does much more. for example I have a Win 7 clock and calendar, Win 7 sound control, Win 7 network control and the Win 10 taskbar, sadly it can't seem to replace the file explorer or it can but it doesn't keep the changes as when you close it and reopen it you're back the the Win 11 file explorer.

[@Mysteriozone]

Will this be undone or affect windows in any way when Microsoft releases updates?

[@R3AL-AIM]

Works great and looks great, just wasn't able to get the floated task bar with the rounded corners to work. Not a big deal

[@michaelprox1172]

hi CyberCPU Tech can you make a video about make windows 11 looks like windows vista?

[@gehteuchnixan4156]

Is there a way to just get the Win 11 startmenu to open into "all" by default? Without downloading software?

[@carlosvega211]

the temp mail alone was great in this video everything else was extra

[@cashtimevideo1501]

That's also one of the great new security features in Firefox - if you install an app and it wants an email address, FF can create a random email address, collect any mail to that address (e.g. newsletters), then forward it to your real address, effectively hiding it from the original sender!

[@LarryMcDonald08]

Idk how to explain two questions on Windows 1. So bear with me and I hope to not confuse ya. 1. When I hover over taskbar for an application that’s open and minuses while in a game on triples, on windows 10, I could click the app and it opened. When I click it in windows 11, my desktop flashes like a. Lank screen real quick which drives me nuts!! 2. Sometimes I’ll go to move a window and it divides into like 4-6 square windows on main screen, is there away to disable that?

[@jukkapekkaylitalo]

Seems to still be missing some options. Like open start menu to all apps menu, And show taskbars notification bar in secondary monitor(touch screen button, IME button, connected network, etc). Also how many how many taskbar buttons can be open until taskbar is full. With 1440p screen i can have like almost 30 open until i need to combine them. 4k its more 1080 it is less with win 11 default it is like 13 i think.

[@DavidNiedbala]

I get it, but I don’t want more start menu customization. Stardock, Give me customization on virtual desktops. Color coded task bars based on what virtual desktop you are on. Give me more of that.

[@Raven777777777777777]

This app looks interesting and im not sure if i would want to pay for something that should be in windows by default but im not on Win 11 yet and i dont see that changing anytime soon. I kind of want to "upgrade" to Win 11 but so far it doesnt feel like an upgrade. What i have issues with in Win 11 is start menu, context menu and inability to move taskbar around. Im used to have whole taskbar on the left side of the screen in Win 10 and i had it like this since Win 7 i think due to wide display, it works better for me but i have heard its not possible anymore in Win 11. Not fan of centered start menu either. Also all the settings should have been relocated into one place. For some reason its still all over the place and no offense but control panel is farly old by now. Im not against settings app but a lot of times settings you are looking for arent there and you have to search the control panel for it. If all this changes and gets better (Win 10 did it better apart from merging settings into one place) before Win 10 support ends i might consider the upgrade but if not i guess im going to try Linux Mint at that point. Also im not fan of ads but if that can be completely disabled with one click i can get over it i guess.

[@dyabolicman1]

I use Start Menu X is free and very customized :D

[@davinp]

Stardock has updated Start11 to work on Windows 11 24H2

[@cassiuscartland]

Fun Fact: Start11 with the free trial is a bit like WinRAR. I have had it for over a year now, and even though I have never paid for it it never asks my to pay? Idk why tho

[@Finite-Tuning]

I prefer StartAllBack, it also fixes the broken and useless Win11 file explorer and the grouped everything taskbar control icons, and it fixes the broken right click context menu if memory serves..... And it's cheaper! Cheers 🍻

[@sojourner.42]

Is it possible to make the width of the taskbar equal to whats in the center of the taskbar? Kind of like what roundedTB was trying to do?

[@Randtiktok]

I bought V1 days before v2 came out and I'm so pissed that it just was an update and I have to buy it again

[@fubareleet]

How can i use a streaming video as wall paper. say beachcams, or the feed from a security camera dvr

[@mannedi8665]

Anyone know why playing videos (in any website most esp youtube) take time to play? It buffers like 30seconds first then sometimes before it plays it shows "if playback doesn't begin shortly try restarting your device". Also when you pause the video then play it, it starts buffering again. This only happened when upgraded to Win11. Already tried every solution shown here in youtube and other website but I might missed the right one.

[@AppleyardAndy]

I just hope it still works when 24h2 is released as Micro$haft have been classing software like this, basically, as malware.

[@nomoreangelz]

Do you have a site where i can get those angry bird images for my start buttons or any other buttons

[@DavidNationSr]

stardock has a lot of programs for customizing windows

[@WafflePanB]

Start11 looks like KDE plasma 6.0, the way he set it up at least.

[@Alex-1776]

Do you know of a way in win11 explorer to put the preview pane on the bottom how it was in win7?

[@colt5189]

There are different software out there like Start 11 V2. Though is Start 11 V2 the best of those type of programs? I don't mind paying the $10 if I can get a slick Windows 7 type start menu. I've been using Open Shell, which is free. But when you pay for a program like this, that means you're more likely to get updates and fixes as time goes on.

[@colt5189]

@@bevyofbabes Yeah, though it doesn't cost that much. Also, they'd be more motivated to finding a work around compared to the free program.

[@TheForce_Productions]

@@colt5189 That's the issue with this world, where the motivations seems to come only from money.

[@NotAViper]

Have you made a video for startallback?

[@vavaclll]

suggestion cover rainbow taskbar

[@Agentemontilla]

Where can I download images for the start button? I don't know how to type it into Google so that it gives me good results.

[@twitchmeeri]

At this point, I just want microsoft to give us the option to buy customisations in the store... Would be nice to sync designs between multiple Computers and to your phone via 'phone app'

[@trader025]

I tried stardock years ago - it was a HUGE resource hog. Im wondering if this is similar.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

A better option would be to just buy Stardock Object Desktop. This costs about £40 in the UK. But with Object Desktop, you get Start V2 and a bunch of other customization programs. Programs such as Windows blinds, Icon Developer, Icon Packager, Sound Packager, Fences and a few more good programs. I have had Object Desktop for years.

[@mrmikes4553]

Be aware when you put this UI onto your system. The app is useful but has baggage that comes with it that you might not like. The only reason that I put this app on my system I trust this guy. He always gave good advise up until now.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

What baggage? I have been using many of Stardock's Object Desktop programs for years without problems.

[@MrFluidsworld]

AND you can put the task bar on the top of the screen!!!

[@haazmat]

almost thought its an official update

[@RickInGilbert]

Is the $10 fee a one time purchase or do you have to renew every year?

[@123randoman]

Looked at it online. To my understanding, (some wording on their forums are confusing) it is a one time payment to buy Start11 alone, as long as it is not in one of their bundles with other software. However, if there is a major windows update that requires extra work, you will have to pay again to have access to the upgraded version of Start11. Personally, I'm not a fan of that, especially since they weren't forthcoming with this information. Had to dig for it

[@bdsams]

Hey Rick - I run the team behind Start11 v2 - it's a one time purchase for V2.

[@123randoman]

Directly from the Stardock EULA, to which you agreed when you installed the software. From Section 4. b. "... all future generations of the Software and all whole number versions of the Software (i.e., version 5.0, version 6.0, etc.) developed and published from time to time in the future (a.) are not deemed to be Updates, and (b.) are not considered licensed Software to you, and, therefore, you will be required to purchase a new license or license subscription as a condition of upgrading the Software to any such new generation or version."

[@mrnobody-r9h]

now i can cook egg with my laptop. thank. just kidding😂

[@CoMmAnDrX]

I heard Microsoft was going to be blocking this in later version of Windows 11.

[@CompleteLogic]

Anyone know of a good website for custom start buttons? I made a God of War one with the Red and Blue Icons that I really like but seeing the angry birds one, it looks so much cleaner. Wondering if there are even better ones available?

[@ThisOLmaan]

Is Star Dock a Resource Hog in Task Manager ?

[@Jeff-66]

I love Start 11, but unfortunately, it causes constant explorer.exe crashes for me. And I'm not alone, their forum has threads with many pages on the problem.

[@joester4life]

It also breaks a lot during updates too.

[@CousinDavidCalTails]

Can you make a video of putting 24HD on the old potato

[@KLanio-lr8yv]

Reminds me of classic shell ...

[@tonywise198]

Start 11 is just great, but this doesn't mean MSFT won't b lock this as well in the future.. After all, the want Ads on the Start Menu, don;t they?

[@Karel8X]

Why not use Open shell? It still works on WIndows 11.

[@FurganManafov]

Its just extra work for your pc to work with in the background... so i wouldnt get it on a low end device...

[@DavidNationSr]

u didn't show how to move taskbar to top of page...why