Start11, a great Windows 11 [and Windows 10] Start menu alternative gets big update with useful new features

Millions of users are expected to upgrade to Windows 11 after the end of Windows 10 support later this month, and the new Start menu and taskbar will be a challenge to get used to. While Microsoft is getting ready to ship the redesigned Start menu with some much-needed improvements, third-party apps offer plenty of alternatives, and one of them, Start11, has just become better with the latest update.

Start11 v2.55 is now available for download with some useful upgrades, such as the ability to auto-hide the taskbar when a window overlaps it. This lets you have the taskbar and its indicator visible and only hidden when you need every pixel of your screen for your apps. Additionally, Start11 improves on the vertical taskbar (something that we still do not have in stock Windows 11), allowing you to scroll through apps with a mouse wheel when the taskbar is full.

App support has also been improved, and Start11 can now display Remote Desktop when searching RDP, and apps like Spotify or WhatsApp properly display their badges on multi-monitor setups. Additionally, you can now execute commands by typing two en dashes in search.

Besides new features, Start11 2.55 packs various quality-of-life improvements for existing features, plenty of fixes, performance enhancements, and better translations. You can find the complete changelog on the official website.

If you already have a Start11 license, you can download version 2.55 for free. If not, a perpetual Start11 v2 license will set you back $9.99, but right now, you can save 25% and get the app for just $7.50 ($15 for five installs). Start11 is also available on Steam, where it is also currently discounted as part of Steam's annual Autumn sale.

Disclaimer: Neowin's relationship to Stardock

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Posted Friday 3 October 2025 at 5:14 pm AEST (my time).

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