StartAllBack: Windows 11 from better timeline

[SeriousHoax]

Introducing StartAllBack: Windows 11 from better timeline​

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

Restore and improve File Explorer UI​

• 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 10 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

Screenshots​

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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

 

[oldschool]

This looks like the answer to the prayers of every unfortunate Windows 11 user! Excellent find!

 

[SeriousHoax]

This looks like the answer to the prayers of all unfortunate Windows 11 users! Excellent find!

Yeah, it's really good. It's a shame that we're having to use third-party apps to restore some functionalities that are even present in Windows 10. But anyway it offers much more.
I have managed to arrange my desktop to my preferred way using the RC version of this tool in Windows 11.

 

[RoboMan]

#BringWindows8TilesBack

 

[RoboMan]

Yeah, it's really good. It's a shame that we're having to use third-party apps to restore some functionalities that are even present in Windows 10. But anyway it offers much more.
I have managed to arrange my desktop to my preferred way using the RC version of this tool in Windows 11.
View attachment 261151

Share that wallpaper!

 

[SeriousHoax]

Share that wallpaper!

Actually it's an animated wallpaper that I'm using via the Wallpaper Engine paid app on Steam.
But you can find the still wallpaper by searching "Remote Bay Milky Way" in a search engine.

 

[silversurfer]

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

@SeriousHoax Looks like a software paid only ?

I'm using for similar purposes:

GitHub - valinet/ExplorerPatcher: This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher

github.com

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

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

@SeriousHoax Looks like a software paid only ?

Yes it is.
From the same company that created StartIsBack ++ when Windows 10 was released

StartIsBack: real start menu for Windows 8 and Windows 10

StartIsBack returns Windows 10 and Windows 8 a real fully featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7. It's totally awesome and easy solution for your new Windows woes.

www.startisback.com

 

[RoboMan]

Yeah, it's really good. It's a shame that we're having to use third-party apps to restore some functionalities that are even present in Windows 10. But anyway it offers much more.
I have managed to arrange my desktop to my preferred way using the RC version of this tool in Windows 11.
View attachment 261151

This is what I could mimic, no Wallpaper Engine, using StartIsBack in Windows 10!

 

[SeriousHoax]

@SeriousHoax Looks like a software paid only ?

Yeah, sadly paid only. I'm also looking for a free alternative. My main priority is a transparent taskbar and centered icons except the start menu should be on the left.
Now I'm gonna try the free alternative that you suggested.

 

[silversurfer]

My main priority is a transparent taskbar and centered icons except the start menu should be on the left.
Now I'm gonna try the free alternative that you suggested.

Unfortunately, ExplorerPatcher doesn't work to tweak for a transparent taskbar, you may take a look to the new version of WinaeroTweaker, but looks like it's also unable to work for this purpose, at least for now on the latest version 1.33

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

 

[SeriousHoax]

Unfortunately, ExplorerPatcher doesn't work to tweak for a transparent taskbar, you may take a look to the new version of WinaeroTweaker, but looks like it's also unable to work for this purpose, at least for now on the latest version 1.33

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

I think free customization tools with features to our liking will be available eventually. Windows 11 is still new, so devs are working on it.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

StartAllBack 2.9.94 (RC5)
- Fixed new font hang
- Fixed black menu icons
- Fixed custom styles shadow

StartAllBack for Windows 11

msfn.org

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

 

[amirr]

Yeah, it's really good. It's a shame that we're having to use third-party apps to restore some functionalities that are even present in Windows 10. But anyway it offers much more.
I have managed to arrange my desktop to my preferred way using the RC version of this tool in Windows 11.
View attachment 261151

Is that the "dynamic translucency" you used that made your Taskbar look like this transparent?

 

[Sorrento]

Windows 11 is the first & only OS from MS that I've actually been happy without having to resort to add-ons esp. with it's looks/functionality - I actually bought Stardock Start 11 as I've bought many for others with 8/10 but uninstalled it & remains unused as find it's redundant - Appreciate I'm in the minority but for me like 11 as it is.

 

[oldschool]

I gave StartAllBack a trial run. My take is this is really for the W10/W7 diehard. I've found I've been able to configure W11 settings to suit me, with the addition of TranslucentTB and a simple reg hack to show the old context menu, which I like for RunBySmartscreen. I've found W11 has added some very smart, lttle UI features, aside from the extra clicks in some places that many users complain of.

I am experimenting with SecureUXTheme for adding 3rd party themes. As always, system restore is your friend if you indulge your urge to experiment.

 

[amirr]

I gave StartAllBack a trial run. My take is this is really for the W10/W7 diehard. I've found I've been able to configure W11 settings to suit me, with the addition of TranslucentTB and a simple reg hack to show the old context menu, which I like for RunBySmartscreen. I've found W11 has added some very smart, lttle UI features, aside from the extra clicks that many users complain of.

I am experimenting with SecureUXTheme for adding 3rd party themes. As always, system restore is your friend if you indulge your urge to experiment.

I agree. I wish Win 11 would allow to set default action for the Power button.
Edit: forgot to mention "default"

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I agree. I wish Win 11 would allow to set default action for the Power button.
Edit: forgot to mention "default"

It is still possible through the control panel (configuratiescherm in Dutch):

 

[silversurfer]

StartAllBack, Versions History 2023:

Version 3.7.3 27 Dec 2023

• Fix empty tray icons on DPI change

Version 3.7.2 14 Dec 2023

• Tray corner icon fixes

Version 3.7.1 7 Dec 2023

• Microphone icon can adjust volume (with scroll wheel) and mute (with middle mouse button click)
• winget install startallback --scope machine supported for all users install

Version 3.7 2 Dec 2023

• New system tray (corner icons) implementation with more perks

Version 3.6.16 6 Nov 2023

• Workaround 23H2 Explorer crashes

Version 3.6.15 26 Oct 2023

• Removed taskbar Chat icon

Version 3.6.14 21 Oct 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.13 4 Oct 2023

• Fix 23H2 native start menu under vertical taskbar

Version 3.6.12 2 Sep 2023

• Fix for beta 22631.2265

Version 3.6.11 3 Aug 2023

• Fix for beta 22631.2129

Version 3.6.10 25 Jul 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.9 20 Jul 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.8 20 Jun 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.7 15 Jun 2023

• Fixed system DPI unexpectedly increasing startisbackcfg /magic

Version 3.6.5 21 May 2023

• Support for Bing AI taskbar search button

Version 3.6.4 15 Apr 2023

• Automatic updates
• Mute with middle-click on volume taskbar icon

Version 3.6.3 15 Mar 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.2 3 Mar 2023

• Minor improvements and fixes

Version 3.6.1 14 Feb 2023

• Alphabet markers for All Programs list

Version 3.6 7 Feb 2023

• Dark mode and Mica for property sheets in Explorer
• Style and scaling improvements for common controls in Explorer
• Search box and window sharing for classic taskbar

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

 

[oldschool]

Using this only for colorization of Explorer and other app windows via "Dark magic" feature. These are my only modifications on Windows 11. I quite like this little app.