StartAllBack


StartAllBack: Windows 11 from better timeline​

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Get the latest version here Download ​

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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

StartAllBack to fix all Windows 11 deal-breaking UI issues

StartAllBack restores taskbar, start menu, context menus, explorer, sanity, style and order!
www.startallback.com


01 - Welcome.png
02 - Start Menu.png
04 - Taskbar.png
05 - Explorer.png
06 - Advanced.png
Get
 
Click to expand...
KaZuYa said:
If the fix isn't simple, I'd just need a toggle to enable or disable the dark theme only in the file properties, which is where the problem mainly occurs.
Click to expand...
I seem to use "properties" many times a day and today I couldn't stand it any longer. I disabled StartAllBack and am now interacting with Windows the way Microsoft wants you to. I don't like it much but at least I can read the text in the properties window.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell
TekNerd said:
I seem to use "properties" many times a day and today I couldn't stand it any longer. I disabled StartAllBack and am now interacting with Windows the way Microsoft wants you to. I don't like it much but at least I can read the text in the properties window.
Click to expand...
If you use file properties a lot, I can recommend a trick to continue using StartAllBack: Go to Windows Settings, Personalization, Colors, and under "Choose a mode," select Custom. Then set the Windows Default Mode to Dark, and the App Default Mode to Light. This way, you can use all of StartAllBack as usual, but with the light theme in Windows apps, including properties. I hope this helps.

Bug update: I just updated Windows 11 1 hour ago (KB5124010), and now I'll see if that fixes the bug, but I'm not very hopeful. If it does, I'll let you know.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

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

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

macOS
OS
macOS
Tihiy said:
I've prepared a special build to find dark mode corruption


It should crash instead of producing corrupted colors.

Collect explorer crash dumps:

1) Import this registry key http://startisback.com/Enable_Crash_Reports.reg

2) Create C:\dumps folder

3) Crash

4) Send me dmp file from C:\dumps folder
Click to expand...
I did everything you said, and now it just crashed so I could create the file you wanted (at the time of the crash I pressed DEL on a file I wanted to delete). I hope this helps, now I'll reinstall the stable version or it will always crash :D P.S.: It won't let me attach the file here because it says it's too big, so I uploaded it to my Google Drive: explorer.exe.12100.dmp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Tihiy said:
I've prepared a special build to find dark mode corruption


It should crash instead of producing corrupted colors.

Collect explorer crash dumps:

1) Import this registry key http://startisback.com/Enable_Crash_Reports.reg

2) Create C:\dumps folder

3) Crash

4) Send me dmp file from C:\dumps folder
Click to expand...
I also managed to capture a live video of it happening. I can confirm that it happens when you try to delete a file (and probably other ways too, but this is 100% certain): Watch Bug Found. StartAllBack | Streamable
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

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

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
On one of my machines, the last 2 - 3 versions have not updated properly. I will get the notification that an update is available. First, clicking on the notification does not result in formal download/update prompt. Second, if I open StartAllBack, select about, and select "check for update", I get the prompt again. Selecting download and install results in a "download failed" or "update failed" error. I have had to manually download the setup file from the web site and update that way. I've also tried uninstalling the app and reinstalling. Is there a Windows security or other setting I need to check that is preventing convenient update?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11Intel i7-7700K32GB 2666Mhz (Kingston Hyper X Fury)Powercolor RX6600XT
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime Z-270A
    Memory
    32GB 2666Mhz (Kingston Hyper X Fury)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Powercolor RX6600XT
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    KTC
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Western Digital SN770 (System) and 2TB Western Digital SN770 (Storage)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Homei9-11900H32GBIntegrated Intel and Nvidia 3050Ti
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell/XPS 15 9510
    CPU
    i9-11900H
    Motherboard
    Unknown
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel and Nvidia 3050Ti
    Sound Card
    Integrated (Realtek)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    None
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (non-Touch)
    Hard Drives
    2TB SK Hynix P41 Platinum
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
mccmw said:
On one of my machines, the last 2 - 3 versions have not updated properly. I will get the notification that an update is available. First, clicking on the notification does not result in formal download/update prompt. Second, if I open StartAllBack, select about, and select "check for update", I get the prompt again. Selecting download and install results in a "download failed" or "update failed" error. I have had to manually download the setup file from the web site and update that way. I've also tried uninstalling the app and reinstalling. Is there a Windows security or other setting I need to check that is preventing convenient update?
Click to expand...
I have the same issue on one of my machines as well. I did the same thing, just DL the new version and install.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
When using the Windows 11 taskbar (with the taskbar option disabled in SAB), it isn't possible to use the opacity/transparency option.
Is there another way to get it (other than Windhawk) ?

Thanks
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26h2Intel 10980XEG.Skill TridentZ RoyaleEVGA RTX 3080Ti Hydro Copper
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26h2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel 10980XE
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage VI Extreme Encore
    Memory
    G.Skill TridentZ Royale
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 3080Ti 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
I still get accent color corruption with Dark Magic enabled...

13455.webp


disabled...

13456.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • 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
StartAllBack 3.9.27.5382412 (05 October 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
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