Alternate reality where Windows 7 shell survived
Genuine start menu
Supports all Windows languages!
Reinvigorated for new Windows
Also it opens 100% of a time and always finds what you want to find — sorry, Windows 10 gimmick!
Unique experience
Plus plus much more!
StartIsBack is actively developed — you can get StartIsBack for Windows 8, StartIsBack+ for Windows 8.1 and StartIsBack++ for Windows 10.
Each version is tailored for specific Windows version to be able to address weaknesses of each Windows release and gain strength with targeted features and clean user experience.
Lifetime license — just $3.99! Works with any StartIsBack version.
Features
How do I configure Start Menu?
Either right-click Start button and click «Properties» or right-click opened Start Menu itself and choose «Properties» context menu item.
Can I use StartIsBack without start menu, just for skinning / jump list / awesomeness?
Yes. Just pick leftmost (Windows 10) style. Then select taskbar and start button styles separately.
Can StartIsBack break my system?
No. If you experience issues with old StartIsBack on too recent Windows 10 update, just hold Escape key when logging in to disable StartIsBack.
How do I uninstall StartIsBack?
As expected: go to Control Panel — Programs and Features, find StartIsBack and click Uninstall.
Trial, licensing and activation
How trial version works?
There are no limitations in trial version. After installing it runs for 30 days. If you don’t activate it with license number you bought within 30 days, it will still work, but in limited mode: Start Menu will be blank and sad; every boot you’ll be nagged about evaluation period over. Trial period runs for each user which have installed StartIsBack on one PC separately.
What is activation and why is it needed?
Activation is a process of validating your license online. It ties your computer to your license via online service. It is required in order to make sure license use is not abused. One license key allows you to activate a limited number of computers.
How my computer is identified?
Your computer is uniquely identified by motherboard unique number and hard disk physical serial number OS is installed to.
What if I change hardware configuration of my PC or replace it?
If you change both hard disk and motherboard, you will need to activate your license again as modified PC will count as new. You can activate your license on new PC after 30 days since you used license on the old PC, so you may need to wait while trial period is over.
Does StartIsBack «phone home»?
No. StartIsBack does not collect information about your PC hardware or software. It does not use Internet connection for license validation purposes except the moment you activate it. Online activation service does not collect your IP address or any other information which could identify you or your computer. Computer unique identifiers are transferred in hash form, which does not allow anyone else to view it.
Note: automatic new version checking functionality requires Internet connection.
How many times can I reinstall / reactivate StartIsBack?
There is no limitation on how many times you can activate an installation on the same PC.
Does my license expire?
No, your license will never expire and is valid for all future versions of StartIsBack.
Download now
This download is intended for Windows 10 only.
Check Additional downloads for archived program versions for Windows 8 and 8.1.
StartIsBack is digitally signed by Stanislav Zinukhov. Do not download StartIsBack from untrusted websites.
Before downloading, installing or using this program you must read Personal License Agreement and agree to be bound by it.
English, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, French, Danish, Greek, Italian, Turkish, Spanish, German, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Slovak, Finnish, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Serbian, Slovenian, Bangla, Hungarian, Swedish, Simplified Chinese, Indonesian, Arabic, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Latvian, Japanese, Romanian, Hebrew.
Place downloaded file into StartIsBack ‘Styles’ subfolder.
- Version ++2.9.9 3 March 2021
- Support for Windows 10 21H1
- Version ++2.9.8 24 December 2020
- Support for Windows 10 Insider builds 2127x
- Version ++2.9.7 16 October 2020
- Support for Windows 10 Insider builds 2023x
- Version ++2.9.5 3 September 2020
- Fixed taskbar z-ordering degradation
- Version ++2.9.4 1 September 2020
- Fixed compatibility with older Windows 10 builds
- Version ++2.9.3 «Medium Update» 30 August 2020
- Medium and large icon sizes for pinned / All programs lists
- Colorized default start button and All programs scrollbar
- Version ++2.9.2 «Perfection» 27 July 2020
- Support for ARM64 systems
- Always pixel perfect taskbar and start menu icons
- Version ++2.9.1 «Super Polishing» 25 April 2020
- Support for start menu live resizing
- Tons of fixes and performance improvements
- Version ++2.9 9 January 2020
- Supports Windows 10 version 2004
- Allows new colorful application icons to be shown in taskbar and start menu
- Reinstates UseWin32TrayClockExperience registry key support
- Adds obscure Win+Shift+Alt+Esc hotkey to terminate hang foreground application
- Provides new update download experience
- Version ++2.8.9 5 September 2019
- Fix taskbar not hiding on 1903 when closing Start menu in fullscreen apps
- Version ++2.8.8 4 August 2019
- Fix Custom folders list lost after 1903 upgrade
- Version ++2.8.7 17 July 2019
- Improved dynamic taskbar transparency
- Fix Run as administrator missing from UWP desktop apps
- Version ++2.8.6 27 June 2019
- Fix Windows Sandbox missing from apps list
- Version ++2.8.5 14 April 2019
- Fix non-hybrid shutdown used
- Version ++2.8.4 9 April 2019
- Fix reboot not working if other users are logged in
- Version ++2.8.3 1 April 2019
- Support for newer Version 1903 builds
- File sharing via dropping / pasting files on modern app shortcuts
- Version ++2.8.2 23 February 2019
- Fix light and dark mode issues
- Reboot now honors «Use my sign-in info to reopen apps after restart» option
- Version ++2.8.1 11 February 2019
- Fix jump list color missing with non-acrylic blur
- Start menu will default to All programs view if My programs view is empty
- Version ++2.8 8 February 2019
- Support for Windows 10 Version 1903:
- Light Mode support
- Light Mode Plain10 style
- New Extraordinary Taskbar Perks:
- Dynamic taskbar transparency
- Centered taskbar icons
- Segmented taskbar
Taskbar Perks is a paid add-on if you bought personal (not business or reseller) StartIsBack license before Feb 4, 2019 (at old price).
You don’t need to pay anything if you don’t need this new particular functionality!- Version ++2.7.3 21 October 2018
- Fix minor issues on 1809
- Switched web links to HTTPS
- Version ++2.7.2 6 October 2018
- Fix `Display start screen shortcut` not working on 1809
- Version ++2.7.1 20 September 2018
- Support for Windows 10 Version 1809:
- Dark Mode for Plain8 style
- Dark Mode for configuration app
- Dark Mode for Windows Run dialog
- Dark Mode for Windows Desktop tooltips
- Improved right-side of the start menu:
- Thumbnails for custom folders are shown
- Custom file folders can be renamed inplace
- Custom folder glyphs can be selected
- Settings pages can be pinned to the right side
- Glyph is shown on shutdown button
- Developer improvements for Modern apps:
- Open Folder for modern app from extended context menu
- Copy AppID for modern app from extended context menu
- Version ++2.6.4 9 June 2018
- Support for newer Insider builds
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++2.6.3 17 May 2018
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++2.6.2 28 March 2018
- Support for Windows 10 Version 1803 (Spring Creators Update)
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++2.6.1 5 March 2018
- Support for silent uninstall: StartIsBackCfg.exe /uninstall /silent
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++2.6 8 February 2018
- Support for Windows 10 Spring 2018 update pre-release builds
- Acrylic and Acrylic+ blurring styles are added
- Microsoft Edge prelaunching can be disabled
- Added Properties context menu item for metro apps
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++2.5.2 11 October 2017
- Improved compatibility with 7+ Taskbar Tweaker
- Minor improvements and bugfixes
- Version ++2.5.1 3 September 2017
- Improved compatibility with third-party styles
- Minor improvements and bugfixes
- Version ++2.5 «JumplistIsBack» 23 August 2017
- NEW: Jumplists replacement! StartIsBack now provides custom taskbar jumplists which are much more reliable and responsive.
StartIsBack taskbar jumplists are optional (Windows 10 v1607 or higher is required) and customizable with Windows 7/8/10 styles.
Also new custom jumplist can do some mac tricks yours can’t. - Support for Windows 10 Fall Creators update
- Minor improvements and bugfixes
- Version ++2.0.9 8 May 2017
- Fixed Youdao Dictionary crashing StartIsBack on some systems
- Version ++2.0.8 1 May 2017
- Regression fix — start menu does not work without glyphs
- Version ++2.0.7 29 April 2017
- Improved start menu responsiveness
- Fixed RTL issues
- Version ++2.0.6 19 April 2017
- Fixed incorrect taskbar icons
- Version ++2.0.5 14 April 2017
- Taskbar icons margins can be optionally increased now
- ‘Pin to Start menu’ context menu item is removed if SIB start menu is not used
- Addressed reported minor regressions in user experience
- Lots of minor fixes
- Version ++2.0.1 «Creators Update» 26 March 2017
- NEW: Full taskbar skinning! Windows 7 and Windows 8 taskbar styles included
- NEW: Improved configuration UI for finer personalization
- NEW: Ability to change style of taskbar and start menu context menus
- NEW: PC Settings can be expaned into menu
- Improved PC Settings search
- Improved dynamic high DPI support for start menu, orb and configurator
- Added support for opening files via drag&drop on metro app icons in start menu
- Lot of minor improvements and various bugfixes
- Version ++1.3.4 9 October 2016
- Support for newer Insider builds
- Version ++1.3.3 15 August 2016
- Fixed: Sleep from Start menu broke Action center button
- Version ++1.3.2 21 July 2016
- Various fixes and minor improvements
- Version ++1.3.1 30 June 2016
- Support for Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- Improved Plain10 flyout menus
- Version ++1.3 19 June 2016
- Support for Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- New feature to disable application preloader on Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- Improved Plain10 visual style (search results are no longer black on white)
- StartIsBack now does not require reinstallation after Windows build upgrade
- Added glyph icons to PC settings
- Added support for non-numeric metro icon badges
- Added ‘Open file location’ for jumplist items
- Various fixes and improvements
- Version ++1.2.1 6 February 2016
- Support for newer Insider builds
- Version ++1.2 20 December 2015
- NEW: Taskbar skinning! StartIsBack provides taskbar skinning with third-party msstyles as well as built-in Windows 7 style
- Improved start menu performance
- Fixed slow windows animations on some systems
- Fixed some items not opening from search results
- Various minor improvements and fixes
- Version ++1.1.8 21 November 2015
- Fixed Win+X menu on build 10240
- Version ++1.1.7 16 November 2015
- Support for Windows 10 Version 1511 (November update)
- Version ++1.1.6 25 October 2015
- Ability to enter Advanced Startup when shift-clicking Reboot
- Tweak to configure user avatar animation
- Fixed metro app icons not loading
- Fixed Switch user shutdown option
- Version ++1.1.5 6 October 2015
- NEW: Start menu animation
- Version ++1.1.2 19 September 2015
- Fixed Plain10 skin issues on some systems
- Fixed start button misbehaving on some systems
- Version ++1.1.0 13 September 2015
- NEW: Plain10 skin, Windows 10 style
- Minor improvements
- Version ++1.0.4 2 September 2015
- Fixed minor issues
- Version ++1.0.3 16 August 2015
- Fixed minor issues
- Version ++1.0.2 9 August 2015
- Windows logo button on tablet always opens system menu
- Fixed minor issues
- Version ++1.0.1 1 August 2015
- Fixed minor issues
- Version ++1.0 29 July 2015
- Major version. Read what to expect!
- Version +1.7.6 24 October 2016
- Digital signature updated
- Version +1.7.5 6 March 2015
- Dynamic high-DPI start menu scale adjustment
- Start menu searches in PC settings as well
- Improved compatibility with Windows 10 Technical Preview
- Offline activation for enterprise licenses
- Fixed minor issues
- Version +1.7 22 November 2014
- Compatibility with Stardock WindowBlinds
- Experimental compatibility with Windows 10 Technical Preview
- Fixed problems with KB3000850 update installed
- Fixed minor issues
- Version +1.6.2 15 May 2014
- Fixed: incorrect start menu position on some multi-mon configurations
- Fixed: problems to install on Windows 2012 R2 Terminal Server
- Version +1.6.1 20 April 2014
- Advanced startup shutdown option: hold shift when invoking shutdown options
- Fixed: top edge could be wrongly enabled on desktop
- Version +1.6 5 April 2014
- Major update. Read what it brings.
- Version +1.5.2 10 January 2014
- Flyout menus use menu font, start menu selection and look better with high DPI
- Updated translations
- Version +1.5.1 25 December 2013
- Start Menu is responsive at all times regardless of Windows disk icon cache
- Bottom-left screen edge changed:
- * It’s possible again to use both new start button and bottom-left hot corner when taskbar is on bottom (non-default start button orb has to be used)
- * On secondary monitors, turn on ‘enable all screen edges on secondary monitors’ and turn off ‘open start menu on active monitor’ to use original start button only
- Fixed: UAC dialog may be invisible with specific UAC settings
- Fixed: Start button may be absent with specific RDP / monitor login
- Version +1.5 20 December 2013
- Major update. Read what it brings.
- Version +1.0.5 8 November 2013
- Default start button selection covers whole taskbar edge
- StartIsBack DLLs are now digitally signed too
- Fixed: running search items with parameters didn’t work
- Fixed: minor issues with right-button-drag on start menu items
- Fixed: userpic could display wrong on domain-joined machines
- Version +1.0.4 31 October 2013
- Flat selection is used for flyout menus with flat styles
- Search shortcut is not shown in All Programs menu
- Better Modern UI icons in high contrast white mode
- Tap & hold-ing shut down button on touch screen shuts down without ‘slide to shutdown’
- Trial & updates are also checked when you unlock your session
- StartIsBackCfg and StartScreen commands can be executed from Run dialog
- Start button and user picture are rejuvenated when video driver crashes (CloverTrail)
- Fixed: can’t remove pinned shortcuts of deleted games
- Fixed: programs can’t be dragged into start menu from XP styled All programs
- Fixed: start button did not close start menu on touchscreen
- Version +1.0.3 26 October 2013
- Fixed: return to last used environment didn’t work properly in some configurations
- Fixed: start menu issues with NVIDIA surround
- Fixed: high contrast theme became transparent
- Fixed: wallpaper on start screen could be shifted
- Version +1.0.2 21 October 2013
- Updated and new translations
- ‘Resize to fit taskbar’ when adding orb is off by default
- Fixed: PuTTY jumplist issue
- Fixed: uninstall folder security bug
- Fixed: Start screen screenshot could be offset
- Fixed: Start screen animation did not play first time
- Version +1.0.1 16 October 2013
- Support for Win7 userpic animation tweaking
- Fixed configurator error on some rare PCs species
- Version +1.0 10 October 2013
- First public StartIsBack for Windows 8.1 version. Read what it brings.
- Version 2.1.2 30 August 2013
- New: Latvian, Bulgarian translation
- Fixed: minor configuration program issues
- Updated group policy file
- Version 2.1.1 26 June 2013
- New: Lithuanian translation
- Fixed: installer could fail to replace files
- Fixed: new version notification could be erroneously displayed
- Restricted installer to not install on Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview versions
- Version 2.1 15 May 2013
- Hot: Advanced option — Show taskbar on Start screen. Very useful on tablets!
- Configurator fully supports high-DPI screens and RTL languages
- Desktop toast notification is shown when new StartIsBack version is available
- «Pin to Start menu» is available in all programs context menus, not just in File Explorer
- Excluded shortcuts for system shortcuts available in right pane from MFU
- Multiple license activations are possible on the same Windows installation, same license key, but different hardware
- Fix: ‘Start is apps’ feature breaking toast notifications
- Fix: closing desktop returns to desktop
- New translations
- NOTE: due to Microsoft request, all start button images containing Windows logo were removed. You can download them separately
- Version 2.0.2 12 Mar 2013
- Improved compatibility with non-fullscreen modern apps
- Shortcuts for games are no longer created in Games start menu subfolder. Games can be searched from Start menu search
- Fix: Start Screen shortcut was removed by some cleaners
- Version 2.0.1 5 Mar 2013
- Fix: crash in Windows XP style All Programs list
- Updated translations
- Version 2.0 3 Mar 2013
- New skin and orb image
- Greatly improved Appearance UI
- Modern Apps (Start Apps) are included into MFU and all programs list (optional)
- Shortcut to Start Screen in Start Menu
- Option to display all programs as multi-column flyout menu (Windows XP style)
- Option to enable Start Screen hot corner on desktop
- Bottom-left hot corner configuration
- Option to configure what happens when Modern app closes
- Advanced Win hotkeys configuration options
- Option to hide Start button
- Option to disable StartIsBack
- Some useful Windows settings at hand
- Group Policy support
Fixed: - Programs removed from MFU program list could return there
- Secondary tiles for modern apps are excluded from MFU and new program highlighting
- Search no longer finds faux shortcuts (Desktop, PC settings, Windows Store)
- Pinned items are automatically renamed if renamed from shortcut properties
- Shortcuts for games with dot in name could be created incorrectly
- Uninstall could fail to remove installation directory
- Windows key could fail to show start menu on some systems
- Search could be slow to update search results and icons
- Switching users could squish start menu
- Incorrect blending in start button hover animation
What’s new in this major release:
- Version 1.3.3 18 Jan 2013
- Fix: StartIsBack could fail to work on some systems with DEP enabled
- Version 1.3.2 12 Jan 2013
- Fix: new program highlighting errorneusly fired for new users and roaming profiles
- Fix: orb unhides when hidden taskbar is shown (IrfanView)
- Fix: icons could fail to show in program list
- Version 1.3.1 5 Jan 2013
- Fix: program highlighting could work incorrectly
- Fix: moving metro apps between monitors didn’t update hot corners
- Windows 7 start menu pinned items are migrated on first install
- Startup programs are launched without 10 second delay
- Shortcuts for newly installed games are created in Games start menu subfolder
- New translations
- Version 1.3 26 Dec 2012
- Fix: MFU app list could contain duplicate item
- Fix: Start orb could be moved by rogue programs
- Fix: license activation for all users could fail on some systems
- Fix: shortcuts created by Windows Installer didn’t show ‘Pin to Start Menu’
- Hot corners are enabled for Modern apps only for monitor where they’re open on
- Newly installed programs are properly highlighted
- Right-to-left Windows languages are now supported
- License key is no longer stored as a plain text
- Improved start menu performance
- AeroByDesign skin updated
- New translations
- Version 1.2.1 7 Dec 2012
- Fix: user frame could be incorrectly placed for bottom taskbar
- Version 1.2 6 Dec 2012
- New: skins! StartIsBack now supports start menu skins without third-party tools; two beautiful ones included
- New: option to combine start button menu with Win+X menu
- New: option to hide user account picture
- New: shortcut for configuring Start menu in Control Panel
- Fix: hibernate shutdown option could fail to show in configurator
- Fix: high contast themes start menu issues
- Installing for all users no longer requires log off
- New translations
- StartIsBack is now digitally signed
- Version 1.1 20 Nov 2012
- Fix: opening start button context menu did not prevent autohide
- Fix: uninstall could fail to remove settings / license
- Fix: taskbar unhide didn’t work in start button area
- New: silent install (/silent for user install; /elevated /silent for machine install; if machine must be run with admin rights; does not start explorer back)
- New: option to start with start screen
- New: option to call start screen with Win key
- New alternate orb (by PainteR)
- New translations
- Less restrictions (same as in Windows 7) on items which can be pinned to start menu
- Start button context menu shows same items as in Windows 7
- Version 1.0 9 Nov 2012
- First official version
Buy StartIsBack Personal Edition
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