mackid1993

That's great news that they aren't abandoning us power users. There's a reason why people use StartAllBack and they have to understand that your users are likely their most loyal users as well and that they really dropped the ball when it comes to supporting enthusiasts. Thanks for replying and for the reassurance! 😃

@Tihiy did you get any new info from Microsoft about 3.7.9 and removing the update block?

Let's hope the update block is removed in the next insider flight.

Oh so you have to get their approval first so they remove the block?

I hope @Tihiy doesn't get upset with me for posting this. But I downloaded the latest pre-release build for 3.7.9. I frequently check to see if any new pre release builds are published out of habit since I have a little OCD about SAB since I love it so much. I have the pre-release download link bookmarked in my browser. The new build installs on 26100 without having to rename the exe and the classic taskbar is disabled out of the box. Simply clicking the toggle and restarting explorer enables it and everything works. Seems like we're saved! Update! More good news! Thank you Tihiy for continuing to support this wonderful application that brings such a lightweight and clean experience to our PCs! You are the man!!

https://msfn.org/board/topic/186074-startallback-settings-do-not-fully-transfer-between-pcs/?do=findComment&comment=1263761

See this post with your exact issue: https://msfn.org/board/topic/183013-startallback-for-windows-11/?do=findComment&comment=1261000

So I have some info to share for anyone coming back to this thread later. Backup HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\StartIsBack to save StartAllBack settings Backup HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage2 to save Start Menu pins. Check to see if HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage3 exists, back it up if it does. Set up new computer, reinstall all programs that were pinned. Merge .reg file with SAB settings, merge StartPage2 reg file and StartPage3 reg file if that existed for you. Reinstall SAB, all settings but systray layout should transfer.

All of the settings for the tray icons are under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\NotifyIconSettings. If you wipe everything under that it will reset your icons and the order and such but if you are having weird issues that may help. Just clear and restart Explorer. If you're worried you can also export NotifyIconSettings beforehand just to be extra safe!

I find it amazing that Start11 can literally crash all of explorer when configuring its menus but StartAllBack which is one of the most stable pieces of software I've ever seen causes security or performance issues. If Tihiy has to discontinue SAB I will be forced to begrudgingly use Windows 11 stock because Start11 is not a viable alternative in any way. It's amazing that a company as established as Stardock can sell something just so bug ridden and unstable. No wonder there has been a rivalry (it seems), Stardock is this huge company but they can't even come close to matching the quality of the work of one guy. Doing a simple search in the start menu after a few seconds triggers an explorer crash, what a pile of junk that is.

I wonder if the compat block has been updated to include a version number instead of just StartAllBack*.exe. I'm installing this build now. I'll update with a screenshot from Compatibility Administrator once it is installed. Update, same hardblock:

I use Directory Opus to make a floating toolbar. They can have any sort of application or macro on them. I set mine to show/hide with a keystroke and macro but they can show and hide with just moving the mouse near them or dock to any side of the screen permanently. They can also live on the desktop sort of like Stardock Fences but on steroids. It's a more complex program than just that, it's a full featured file manager that is more operating system than file manager, but this is what my toolbar looks like.

You could also find a way to acquire Windows 10 LTSC IoT Enterprise 2021. That should give you updates until 2031.

You can use third party tools to make a vertical application launcher and then hide the taskbar. That's what I mean by a plan b.

If you go back a page or two Tihiy stated that he's reached an agreement with Microsoft to disable the classic taskbar by default on new 24H2 installs. I read that as when a new user on 24H2 installs StartAllBack they will have to manually enable the enhanced classic taskbar. Based on the feature flag to disable it and the fact that Microsoft is flagging apps that use it it seems that they want to discourage use because they may not be able to remove it entirely for compatibility reasons with legacy software. That's my theory, if they could remove it it would have been gone already when they removed the old systray. They've resorted to crippling it instead. Hopefully the media attention and backlash will result in them turning a blind eye, use at your own risk. That's what we have to hope for. Edit: I also want to advise building a plan B, evaluate your workflow and see where you can build a new workflow with other tools around the new taskbar worst case scenario. I know I've already figured out how I will manage with the new taskbar if forced to use it.

There has also been a ton of media coverage, even LinusTechTips had a video about it on TechLinked. Maybe that will have an influence in Microsoft to live and let live.

Yeah Start11 is crap. I tested 26100.1 and like everyone said SAB works fine. Hopefully disabling the taskbar by default on new installs is enough to appease Microsoft. Use at your own risk I guess. Clearly they can't remove the code, hence to aggressive behavior to stop people from activating it.

You can do some of that using floating toolbars with Directory Opus. They act almost like a taskbar and can be heavily customized.

Yeah I like the small buttons. I'm trying to do my best to get used to stock Win 11 just in case.

I went back and my whole reason for using SAB was icon ungrouping, now that we have that I may be able to eventually get used to the new taskbar.

It sounds like it's going to be disabled on new installs and the end user will have to manually check the option to enable it. That's what I read. Whether that is reality is not yet known.

Let's hope the rest of the taskbar is possible to rewrite like the system tray is. It appears that Start11 uses a fully custom taskbar, the registry hacks it used at the beginning don't exist anymore. RetroBar is also a thing, so it's been done before. Actually after playing with Start11 it seems like they are patching the Win 11 taskbar with their own mods.

Is Dark Magic being deprioritized again because of the taskbar issues in 24H2?

I guess it's time to disable the classic taskbar and adjust my workflow to prepare. Edit: The new taskbar isn't awful, if Tihiy (or if Microsoft wakes up) could give us small icons and find a way to add back toolbars (deskband) I think it would be good. The animations are nice looking, just the lack of customization that's the issue. Edit 1: That didn't last long. I guess I'm sticking with 23H2 until we have more information about what is and isn't going to be possible.

Or reimplement the taskbar like Start 11, which didn't run afoul of Microsoft,