Startallback loop

tmarsh · Mar 16, 2023

Windows 11 Pro just updated and on reboot startallback loops with hold escape key to prevent sab loading. Couldn't get in to windows so had to do a restore. I think it happened because I had a message saying sab needed to be paid for. I thought it was free so uninstalled it. I have a paid version now so can access windows. Updates are pending so will they break sab? Is there a safe way to uninstall it?

Ghot · Mar 16, 2023

tmarsh said:
Windows 11 Pro just updated and on reboot startallback loops with hold escape key to prevent sab loading. Couldn't get in to windows so had to do a restore. I think it happened because I had a message saying sab needed to be paid for. I thought it was free so uninstalled it. I have a paid version now so can access windows. Updates are pending so will they break sab? Is there a safe way to uninstall it?

I don't use SAB but I believe the "latest" version, fixes the loop problem.

Windows 11 may not boot due to bug with third-party customization apps - Pureinfotech

Microsoft warns that apps like ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack to change Start or Taskbar behavior can cause start up issues on Windows 11.

pureinfotech.com

cereberus · Mar 16, 2023

tmarsh said:
Windows 11 Pro just updated and on reboot startallback loops with hold escape key to prevent sab loading. Couldn't get in to windows so had to do a restore. I think it happened because I had a message saying sab needed to be paid for. I thought it was free so uninstalled it. I have a paid version now so can access windows. Updates are pending so will they break sab? Is there a safe way to uninstall it?

Q: Why do I never get any issues with such 3rd party tools?

A: I never use them as they break with regular monotony - it is like whack-a-mole - fix one version, new update breaks it, fix new version etc.

glasskuter · Mar 16, 2023

It is not unusual for a windows update to break any 3rd party app that alters the GUI until the app developer releases its own update.
Apps like startallback are usually on top of this and will release updates to their app either before or within days of a windows update.
This is one of the curses of using these apps. You never know what to expect how a windows update will affect them.

ThrashZone · Mar 16, 2023

Hi,
Better policy for people that rely on third parties to override windows ilk is wait at lease a couple weeks before you install updates or until the apps have time to update themselves.

Security updates apply to holes that have been open for a long time often years so waiting 2-3 weeks is not going to hurt anything so don't be scared to put updates on pause.
Or use vanilla windows.

spapakons · Mar 16, 2023

Even better, make sure you check for updates of your third-party applications and install them ASAP, before Windows updates are automatically installed. I use Explorer Patcher in my computer and my father's computer. In mine I had no problem installing all Windows updates as I am regularly notified of a new version of Explorer Patcher and keep it updated. In my father's computer I had an old version of Explorer Patcher, so after installing Windows updates and restarting, File Explorer (aka Windows Explorer) kept crashing and I could not get the desktop. I had to press CTRL+ALT+DEL, open Task Manager and then load Edge to download the latest version of Explorer Patcher. Once installed, File Explorer was working normally again.

tmarsh · Mar 16, 2023

Thanks for all the replies. If I uninstall SAB will windows taskbar work? When I installed it and got the loop I used system restore (No option that I could see to reset windows) and it still wouldn't boot, had to run sfc /scannow from a command prompt. DISM commands didn't work either.

Winuser · Mar 16, 2023

tmarsh said:
Thanks for all the replies. If I uninstall SAB will windows taskbar work?

Yes. You can also disable StartAllBack if you don't want to uninstall it. Open StartAllBack and click on Advanced. The Option is on the bottom.

tmarsh · Mar 16, 2023

Winuser said:
Yes. You can also disable StartAllBack if you don't want to uninstall it. Open StartAllBack and click on Advanced. The Option is on the bottom.

Thanks. I can't see it on the start menu but it's in program files. Should it normally be on the start menu?

Winuser · Mar 16, 2023

tmarsh said:
Thanks. I can't see it on the start menu but it's in program files. Should it normally be on the start menu?

Right click on the Taskbar and select Properties.
Edit: It's also listed in Control Panel.

ThrashZone · Mar 16, 2023

tmarsh said:
Thanks for all the replies. If I uninstall SAB will windows taskbar work? When I installed it and got the loop I used system restore (No option that I could see to reset windows) and it still wouldn't boot, had to run sfc /scannow from a command prompt. DISM commands didn't work either.

Code:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

tmarsh · Mar 16, 2023

I disabled SAB and ran the windows updates, re-booted ok. Ran scannow and it fixed corrupted files. DISM component reported error 5 but completed 100%, restore health completed without errors. I re-booted again, scannow again fixed corrupted files but the two DISM commands ran without error. I'm assuming all is ok now but I'll re-boot and try scannow again.

tmarsh · Mar 16, 2023

After re-bootr again scannow completed without errors so all good. I'll keep SAB disabled for now and see if I can cope with the taskbar on the bottom! Thanks again for all the help.