StartAllBack for Windows 11
v3.x

What is StartAllBack? A Quick Overview

StartAllBack is a lightweight Windows shell customization utility developed by Tihiy (IVT Software). It was released in 2021 as the spiritual successor to StartIsBack++, specifically designed to address Microsoft's radical redesign of the taskbar and Start Menu introduced in Windows 11.

At its core, StartAllBack replaces or deeply modifies the Windows 11 shell components — the Start Menu, Taskbar, and File Explorer — restoring the more familiar and functional interfaces from Windows 10, Windows 7, or even Windows XP eras, while still running on top of the modern Windows 11 kernel.

Unlike many shell tweakers that merely skin the interface, StartAllBack deeply integrates with Windows Explorer, providing genuine functionality improvements: a restored search box in the taskbar, proper right-click context menus, cascading submenus in the Start Menu, and a traditional File Explorer ribbon.

Score Breakdown

• Features
  9.6
• Ease of Use
  9.0
• Performance
  9.4
• Stability
  8.8
• Value for Money
  9.8

Why Use StartAllBack on Windows 11?

Windows 11 introduced a fundamentally rethought user interface. Microsoft centered the taskbar, removed the classic right-click context menu, stripped the Start Menu of useful features, and replaced the File Explorer ribbon with a simplified command bar. For many power users and IT professionals, these changes were a significant productivity regression.

StartAllBack exists to close that gap. Here are the most common reasons users install it:

These limitations affect day-to-day workflows — especially for users who manage files heavily, rely on keyboard shortcuts, or simply prefer the efficiency of the Windows 7/10 shell paradigm. StartAllBack restores all of these, and more, with minimal configuration required.

StartAllBack Key Features: Everything You Get

StartAllBack is organized around three primary shell areas: the Start Menu, the Taskbar, and File Explorer. Each area can be configured independently through a clean settings panel accessible via the system tray or Control Panel.

Start Menu Restoration: Classic Styles Explained

The Start Menu is arguably StartAllBack's most impactful feature. Windows 11's default Start Menu removed the Live Tiles (introduced in Windows 8), the classic "All Programs" tree, user account information, and the ability to resize or reposition the menu. StartAllBack brings back a fully functional, program-list-style Start Menu with three distinct style options.

Available Start Menu Styles

The Classic Style most closely resembles Windows 7 and includes a two-column layout: recently used applications on the left and pinned shortcuts plus Places (Documents, Computer, Control Panel) on the right. The cascading "All Programs" tree is fully restored, allowing you to browse the full application list without leaving the Start Menu.

In addition to style selection, StartAllBack exposes granular options: you can choose what appears in the right-hand column, configure the number of recent programs shown, enable or disable the Windows 11 Recommended section, and control whether the Start Menu follows the taskbar's accent color.

Taskbar Customization in StartAllBack: Full Control Restored

The Windows 11 taskbar was one of the most controversial redesigns in recent Microsoft history. It became fixed to the bottom of the screen, removed the ability to reorder running app buttons, dropped the overflow area for system tray icons, and eliminated the ability to drag shortcuts onto it. StartAllBack reverses all of these decisions.

Taskbar Position & Layout

With StartAllBack installed, you can position the taskbar on any screen edge — bottom, top, left, or right. The taskbar icon alignment can be set to left-aligned (Windows 10 default) or centered, and icons can be freely combined with labels for running apps, matching the classic Windows look.

The system tray (notification area) is also enhanced: you get control over which icons are always visible, the classic balloon notifications are optionally restored, and the clock can display seconds — something Windows 11 only added in 22H2 without third-party tools.

Taskbar Behavior Options

File Explorer Enhancements: The Ribbon Returns

Windows 11 replaced File Explorer's detailed ribbon toolbar — introduced in Windows 8 and refined in Windows 10 — with a simplified, minimal command bar that shows only a handful of common actions. Power users lost quick access to operations like mapping a network drive, opening a command prompt in the current folder, or batch-renaming files from the toolbar.

StartAllBack restores the full Windows 10-style ribbon with all three tabs (Home, Share, View) and their complete command sets. It also brings back several other File Explorer behaviors that were quietly removed:

How to Install StartAllBack on Windows 11: Step-by-Step

Installing StartAllBack is a straightforward process that takes under two minutes. The installer requires no reboot, and changes take effect immediately after the setup wizard closes. Here's the complete process:

Before You Begin

Installation Steps

1. Download the installer from the official website at startallback.com. The trial version and the paid version use the same installer — your license is activated afterward.
2. Run the installer (StartAllBackCfg.exe). You may see a UAC prompt — click Yes to allow it. The installer is about 5 MB and takes under 10 seconds to complete.
3. Choose your initial style in the setup wizard. You can pick from Windows 7, Windows 10, or a modern style. This can be changed at any time through the settings panel.
4. Explorer restarts automatically — your taskbar and Start Menu will update immediately. No reboot required. If Explorer doesn't restart, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer in the Processes tab, and click Restart.
5. Open the configuration panel by right-clicking the Start button and choosing "StartAllBack Settings", or by searching "StartAllBack" in the Start Menu. Configure each section (Start, Taskbar, Explorer, Style) to your preference.
6. Activate your license (if purchased) by clicking "Activate" in the settings panel and entering your license key or logging into your account. The trial period lasts 100 days with no functional restrictions.

Uninstalling StartAllBack

To remove StartAllBack, open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed Apps, find StartAllBack, and click Uninstall. Alternatively, use Programs and Features in Control Panel. All shell customizations are reverted immediately upon uninstall, and no registry leftovers remain — the uninstaller is clean.

StartAllBack Pricing & License Options

StartAllBack uses a simple, transparent pricing model with no subscription fees. You pay once and receive lifetime updates for all major versions released under your purchased tier. This stands in sharp contrast to many utility software products that charge annually.

StartAllBack vs. Alternatives: Which Windows Shell Tweak Is Best?

Several tools compete in the Windows shell customization space. The main alternatives are Start11 by Stardock, Open-Shell (the free open-source option), and ExplorerPatcher (another free, open-source utility). Here's how they compare:

Our Recommendation

StartAllBack offers the best balance of feature depth, reliability, performance, and value. It is the only tool that comprehensively addresses all three shell areas (Start Menu, Taskbar, and File Explorer) in a single polished package. For users who want a free option, ExplorerPatcher is a capable alternative, though it requires more manual configuration and is less polished in its UI. Open-Shell remains the best choice if you only need a classic Start Menu and nothing else.

StartAllBack Frequently Asked Questions