StartAllBack


StartAllBack: Windows 11 from better timeline​

Get the latest version here Download

Embrace, enhance, unsweep classic UI from under the rug​

Restore and improve taskbar​

  • Show labels on task icons
  • Adjust icon size and margins
  • Move taskbar to top, left or right edges
  • Drag and drop stuff onto taskbar
  • Center task icons but keep Start button on the left
  • Split into segments, use dynamic translucency
  • Separate corner icons with Windows 7/10 UI
  • Auto-hide when covered by maximized window

Restore and improve File Explorer and Control Panel​

  • Ribbon and Command Bar revamped with translucent effects
  • Details pane on bottom
  • Old search box (the one which works)
  • Dark mode support for more dialogs

Restore and improve context menus​

  • All new look with rounded acrylic menus
  • Fast and responsive taskbar menus
  • New fonts, better touch support

Restore and improve start menu​

  • Launch apps and go to system places in one click
  • Navigate dropdown menus like a boss
  • Enjoy fast and reliable search

Finally, lightweight styling and UI consistency​

  • Enjoy Windows 7, Windows 8 and third-party taskbar and start menu styles
  • Fix UI inconsistencies in Win32 apps
  • Don't be blue: recolor UI in all windows apps
  • Negative resource usage: fewer RAM used, fewer processes started, faster startup





StartAllBack For Windows 11 has been released.
It's an RC release. I haven't tested it yet as I have Start11 installed.

Edit: I have now tested it. It's working quite well.
Apart from a great start menu, you can also have the Enhanced Classic Taskbar back.
This means (for example) that you can have an uncombined and unlocked Taskbar.
You will now also be able to enhance the Taskbar clock using T-Clock Redux or similar.
T-Clock Redux Tray Clock_.png

You can also change Windows Explorer to Ribbon UI or Simple UI.

You can get it Download



01 - Welcome.png
02 - Start Menu.png
04 - Taskbar.png
05 - Explorer.png
06 - Advanced.png
Get
 
So..., just wondering......, how come the Dark Magic stuff doesn't work???
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
I see nothing different!
I was mistaken! Many 32bit programs now have color accented dropdowns, along with the Mica effect...,
whereas before they were mostly black.

13914.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
I do like startallback, but sadly once the latest CU (or a relatively new one) is installed, the windows 10 style explorer window has a severe performance regression.

I have managed now to get a repetitive way to cause the problem.

Windows 10 style explorer enabled.
Open a explorer window.
Navigate to a drive and open a folder, then see spinning loading circle next to mouse cursor for a second, and another second later the folder opens.
Then as long as dont exit the right box, it will be reasonable navigation speed (still bit slower than normal).
However if select a drive again in left box, and then browse again on right box, the first folder opened has the 2 second lag again.

I thought this was Microsoft as they have had so many bugs on CU's, but when I switch to the Windows 11 explorer window, the issue isnt there.

Sadly the Windows 11 explorer window has that huge excessively padded area at the top of each explorer window, a huge eye sore. Although tabs are nice.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1013700k32 Gig 3200CL12Nvidia 4800 Super RTX
OS
Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
13700k
Motherboard
Asrock Steel Legend D4 Z690
Memory
32 Gig 3200CL12
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 4800 Super RTX
Sound Card
Creative AE9
Monitor(s) Displays
LG 27GL850
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
970 EVO 1TB
SN850X 2TB
DC P4600 2TB
860 EVO 1TB
3 x 3TB WD Red
2 x 4TB WD Red
PSU
Antec HCG 750 Gold
Case
Fractal Define R4
Cooling
Noctua NH-D15S
Internet Speed
1000/1000
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
I was mistaken! Many 32bit programs now have color accented dropdowns, along with the Mica effect...,
whereas before they were mostly black.
Wrong again!!! It must be the Dark Magic thing, regardless of the installed SAB version... 🤷‍♂️

13372.webp 13371.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Sadly the Windows 11 explorer window has that huge excessively padded area at the top of each explorer window, a huge eye sore.
A huge mess!!! 'Frankenstein Architecture' at best!!!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
That's a pretty good album there Edwin!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9445Intel i5-12400F2 x16gb DDR4 Patriot Viper Elite II 4000MHzASUS GeForce RTX 3060 Dual OC 12GB
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9445
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i5-12400F
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO B760M P
    Memory
    2 x16gb DDR4 Patriot Viper Elite II 4000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 Dual OC 12GB
    Sound Card
    onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    KTC 32 inch 180Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1x SP 512GB NVME (Windows)
    1x 2TB SSD (Downloads)
    1x 2TB BX500 (Games)
    1x 2TB NVME (Steam)
    1x 1TB NVME (Macrium, Stuff)
    PSU
    CORSAIR RM750e (2025) Platinum Fully Modular
    Case
    CORSAIR Frame 4000D RS White
    Cooling
    Thermalright Assassin X120 SE ARGB White
    Keyboard
    Z-88 RGB Mechanical White
    Mouse
    Red Dragon 612 Predator RGB
    Internet Speed
    750/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows
  • At a glance

    Windows XPAthlon 64 Socket 7542x 1GB (PC3200)Onboard
    Operating System
    Windows XP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion (modded)
    CPU
    Athlon 64 Socket 754
    Motherboard
    ASUS K8S-LA
    Memory
    2x 1GB (PC3200)
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Whatever is available
    Screen Resolution
    800x600
    Hard Drives
    120gb Samsung SSD

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
A huge mess!!! 'Frankenstein Architecture' at best!!!
Now making further improvements via Windhawk, that weird large part of the UI can be reverted but it draws a lot slower now.
I also added free disk space back in status bar on file explorer, added a performance patch which makes switching folders faster.

But yeah file explorer 11 is a mess. Seems Microsoft will be going back to fast native code over the next few years.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1013700k32 Gig 3200CL12Nvidia 4800 Super RTX
OS
Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
13700k
Motherboard
Asrock Steel Legend D4 Z690
Memory
32 Gig 3200CL12
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 4800 Super RTX
Sound Card
Creative AE9
Monitor(s) Displays
LG 27GL850
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
970 EVO 1TB
SN850X 2TB
DC P4600 2TB
860 EVO 1TB
3 x 3TB WD Red
2 x 4TB WD Red
PSU
Antec HCG 750 Gold
Case
Fractal Define R4
Cooling
Noctua NH-D15S
Internet Speed
1000/1000
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
... but it draws a lot slower now.
That's a downside I gladly deal with rather than seeing that abomination Win11 Explorer!
I also use QTTabBar along side StartAllBack..., thank goodness they play nicely together!

13924.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Hi everyone, for a few days StartAllBack has been creating a really annoying visual bug for me, I've attached the images. In short, using the dark Windows theme (I've always used it), now he also converts the properties of a file with the dark theme (it has always been white), and with this the rendering bug of the theme itself occurs. Anyone have the same problem? If so, how did you solve it? If I deactivate StartAllBack everything works perfectly again. System: Windows 11 Pro x64 25H2 (StartAllBack ver. 3.9.25.5386). Thank you all.
 

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My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Same here. If I right click a file and select "properties" and on the "General" tab all I get is a white box where the name should be. If I click inside the box, the name appears but is at the top instead of centered and has a white bar at the bottom. It does this with both my laptop and desktop running Windows 11 Home 25H2 build 26200.8973 and StartAllBack 3.9.25.

3.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell
StartAllBack 3.9.26.5395 20 September 2026 (beta)

I'm not sure what's been updated sorry
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel Core i9 12900KFCorsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200MhzASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom Build
CPU
Intel Core i9 12900KF
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
Memory
Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
Sound Card
OnBoard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1440
Hard Drives
1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
PSU
Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
Case
Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK545
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Kaspersky
Other Info
Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
StartAllBack 3.9.26.5395 20 September 2026 (beta)

I'm not sure what's been updated sorry
Seems to be a very often question ; " not sure whats been updated " , with almost all versions lately ! 🛠️
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 25H2i732GBnVidia
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    z97k
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    3
    Cooling
    air
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET
  • At a glance

    Windows11 ProIntel i516GBIntel
    Operating System
    Windows11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Motherboard
    ASUS Basic
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Hard Drives
    one intern , 0ne extern, OS on SSD
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET
Is ExplorerPatcher still a thing?
I don't see it mentioned much anymore.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i9-10900XCorsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 ...GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stigg's Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10900X
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
    Memory
    Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata V2
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
  • At a glance

    Windows 10 ProCore i7-8750HSK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 1...NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M GM501GS
    CPU
    Core i7-8750H
    Motherboard
    Zephyrus M GM501GS
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 16 GB DDR4-2666 DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC294
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics B156HAN07.1 [15.6" LCD]
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZVKW512HMJP-00000 512 GB, PCI-E 3.0 x4
    Samsung SSD 860 QVO 4TB 4 TB, SATA-III
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    PC/AT Enhanced PS2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    USB2.0 HD UVC Webcam
StartAllBack 3.9.26.5395 20 September 2026 (beta)

I'm not sure what's been updated sorry
Where can I download it? Only the Stable version is available on the official website. Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25h2Intel 10980XEG.Skill TridentZ RoyaleEVGA RTX 2080Ti Hydro Copper
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25h2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel 10980XE
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage VI Extreme Encore
    Memory
    G.Skill TridentZ Royale
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2080Ti Hydro Copper
    Sound Card
    Asus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27"
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane P5801X
    Samsung 9100 Pro
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime TX 1000W
    Case
    Lian Li A77F
    Cooling
    Watercooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3S
    Browser
    Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24h2
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24h2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Pro
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Is ExplorerPatcher still a thing?
I don't see it mentioned much anymore.
Yes its been very quiet lately with no new releases the last pre release was back on the 6th of July


 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel Core i9 12900KFCorsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200MhzASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom Build
CPU
Intel Core i9 12900KF
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
Memory
Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
Sound Card
OnBoard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1440
Hard Drives
1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
PSU
Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
Case
Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK545
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Kaspersky
Other Info
Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
... i can confirm, bug not fixed :\
Please open File Explorer, StartAllBack Properties and a few dialog boxes, take a full screen screenshot and post it...
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Yes its been very quiet lately with no new releases the last pre release was back on the 6th of July



I’m not surprised, considering that we can now reposition taskbar and separate system tray icons. These legacy taskbars became less valuable to use with Win11, and more buggy over time. If there would be no blur/mica effect on legacy context menus, I’d stop using SAB altogether.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (WinMac v1.4.0)Intel Core i5-12400F16 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz)NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (WinMac v1.4.0)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12400F
    Motherboard
    B760 GAMING X DDR4
    Memory
    16 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 @ 240Hz
    Other Info
    I loved modding and customizing operating systems since very young age, gaining experience from all important systems, including Windows, Ubuntu, MacOS and Android, which led to creation of Windows 11 mod called WinMac. Seamlessly blending the elegance of macOS with the versatility of Windows, my customized interface elevates user experience through meticulously crafted modifications and UI enhancements.

    With WinMac, every interaction with Windows 11 environment is imbued with a touch of sophistication, where the boundaries between the Windows and Mac universes blur, offering a sublime computing experience that transcends conventional limitations of Windows 11.
  • At a glance

    macOS SonomaApple M3 Pro18 GB
    Operating System
    macOS Sonoma
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook Pro
    CPU
    Apple M3 Pro
    Memory
    18 GB

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