v2.6: Single-Clicking Program With Multiple Open Windows Opens Another Program Entirely [RESOLVED]

Taskbar Icons Open Other Pinned Programs, Not The One Clicked

from Stardock Forums

I have Start11 on multiple computers, and I've only seen this happen on one.  Just this past week or so, I noticed that if I mistakenly single-click on the icon for a program that has multiple windows open (instead of hovering and choosing the correct window preview), another pinned program will move to front or launch, as if I'd clicked on that program's icon.  Clicking on any other program icon works as expected, so long as that program doesn't have multiple instances/windows open.

I have a video of this I'm going to upload to YT and share, so you can see what I'm talking about.  Sorry I go a little fast, but my clicks are highlighted and you can slow it down in the player, if needed.

I wasn't sure if this was a Windows issue or not, so I turned Start11 off and the problem persisted. I then uninstalled Start11 (removing all settings and using Revo Uninstaller to remove all leftovers), and the issue stopped.  Once I had confirmed this was a Start11 issue and not specifically Windows, I reinstalled Start11 and the issue immediately presented itself, again.

Prior to the screen recording I took, clicking Firefox would open Paint and clicking Chrome would open Calculator (like a shift of exactly 4 icons over, with those two being next to each other).  This time, Firefox was opening/activating Outlook and Chrome was jumping one more over to Paint.  Later, when I'd close a lot of stuff down for the day, Chrome was opening Notepad2; the icon next to Outlook, which better matches the first pattern of behavior.

Aside from this particular machine being one I probably use more heavily than the others, essentially everything is the same or comparable.  Win11 Pro, fully updated, practically all the same software installed.  The only significant difference is that this one has an AMD processor while the others are all Intel.  I don't know if this began after the last update (which was fairly recent, if I recall correctly) or if things were fine after the update and started more recently than that.  If this isn't tied to the last update, then I can't place anything that might have caused this to suddenly start happening.

Thanks to anyone/everyone for any help.

start11 start menu products
5,237 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. First, let make sure Start11 was properly install. Please try, uninstall Start11, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Install it, reboot immediately again. Retest it and report back.

If the issue still appear, we need more information.

  1. Windows 10 or 11? full version number and OS Build number. Use Winver.exe to get these numbers.
  2. Start11 full version number installed.
  3. Start11 enhance taskbar turn on or off?
  4. Start11 task button combining setting?
  5. Do you have any other application that could conflict with Start11, application such as, StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, DisplayFusion or any OS shell or any hardware related software that add something on your taskbar.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

As I felt I had made clear in my original post, I already uninstalled Start11 and confirmed the issue went away.  When I reinstalled it, the issue was immediately happening again. 

I had previously installed Start 11 over a year ago and haven't had any issues until this past week, at most, and only noticed it for the first time, yesterday.  After completely uninstalling, restarting, and installing Start11, the exact same issue is happening again.

Here are the answers to your questions, in order:

1. Windows 11 Professional, version 25H2, Feature Pack 1000.26100.291.0
2. Start11 2.6.0.2
3. Enhanced taskbar is ON (and always has been).
4. Buttons are set to always combine (and have always been set that way)
5. I have no other programs installed that would interfere.  I use DisplayFusion on another machine, entirely, but have never used it on this one.

I just tested turning off the Enhanced Taskbar and that fixed the issue. However, I have to have this turned on because I need my taskbar to auto-hide and it will only do so with Enhanced turned on.  Also, as I said, I've always had that setting turned on and never had the issue before recently.

I also just tested the Enhanced Taskbar on another machine that was not having the issue, since that appears to be the difference between this machine and the others I have Start11 on.  I have confirmed that the same issue happens on my other machine when I turn the enhancements on.  Here's the info on that computer.

1. Windows 11 Professional, version 25H2, Feature Pack 1000.26100.291.0 (same as above)
2. Start11 2.6.0.2 (same as above)
3. Enhanced taskbar was not on, and issue wasn't happening.  Happens now, when turned on.
4. Buttons are set to always combine when enhancements are on.  
5. This computer does have DisplayFusion on it, but that's obviously not the source of the issue. I've seen zero issues using DisplayFusion with Start11 on this machine, in the past.

I hope that all helps.  It looks like the issue is with the Enhanced Taskbar, possibly due to the recent Start11 update alone or possibly in conjunction with the recent Windows update (I heard there were Explorer issues).

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

As a test, please try these steps:

  1. Backup settings to a file, save it into a file that you can easily get back to later.
  2. Do reset settings.
  3. Test if the issue still appear with all the setting back to default.
  4. Report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I've done what you asked and reset the settings to default.  Enhanced is now turned OFF and the problem was still there, at first.  I just restarted Explorer, though, and the problem has gone away.

This is sort of a side note, but resetting settings to default did not restart Explorer for me.  Since Explorer is always restarted when turning on or off the Enhanced Taskbar, this clearing settings should also prompt you to restart Explorer.  It should at least do so if the Enhanced Taskbar was in the on position when choosing to reset settings, but maybe just have it do so no matter what to cover all bases.  I suggest that be added to the list of fixes for a future update.

So.  Long story short; resetting my settings fixed the issue (most likely because it turned Enhanced Taskbar off).

Thanks.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

On that last note, it should also do so when restoring settings from a file, since I just had to restart Explorer manually, again, after restoring from the file I saved.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Any update to this issue or is there an update to the program on the horizon that will fix this?  It's still ongoing on all machines.  Turning off the enhanced taskbar is not an option for me.

Thanks!

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting newtonmcnay, reply 6

Any update to this issue or is there an update to the program on the horizon that will fix this?  It's still ongoing on all machines.  Turning off the enhanced taskbar is not an option for me.

Thanks!

We have a 2.7 beta available which has some changes for this issue.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I also have this issue.  Win 11 Pro 25H2, Start11 v2.6 running in Windows 11 style on right side of screen.  Seems to be mainly related to File Explorer for me... clicking opens my browser.  Oddly, I moved the position of File Explorer on my Task Bar, and it opened a different browser.  Pretty much have to Alt-Tab my way back to an open File Explorer window to use, or sometimes can right click into a window, but a real pain.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I installed the beta version, yesterday, and it seems to have fixed the issue.  It was actually very cool to see the issue listed in the change log, too.  I think I've only ever (with other developers, not Stardock) had an issue that was fixed get shoved under "Various other fixes" or something to that effect (fixed, but no specific mention of it).

I was a bit confused as to how I could download the beta version, but eventually found it under my account on the website.  For anyone that needs it, you just go to the download page for products to which you have a license and the beta download button should be there if it's available:

https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products

I believe there's also a beta download button in the Object Desktop manager, if you have that license.

Anyway, thanks for much for the help!

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, glad to hear that.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you to both newtonmcnay and basj!  Funny timing for me, as I had finally gotten so frustrated with this that I was about to uninstall Start11, but I do love having the bar on the right side (old habits die hard, and, frankly, it just seems way more ergonomic than mousing down to the bottom all the time--why be a Mac?).  Anyway, I couldn't figure out where to find the beta release until the post by newtonmcnay--thank you so much for following up with that info.  And, I agree with your assessment that it is impressive that this issue made it into the beta list notes--which are by far the most detailed I have seen (most just say "general fixes")--kudos to Stardock and basj for your commitment to the product, and for your responsiveness.  My task productivity thanks you both immensely for the fix!

Edit:  I am unable to reply to the post below mine by basj because I am limited by new user rules, LOL.  In any case, if you happen to read this edit basj, please do pass along that sometimes what seem like very small issues have a major impact on end users--this was turning into a no-go issue for me--imagine clicking your File Explorer folder and having your browser open!  I work with files quite a lot, so it was crippling me.  Very pleased to have it fixed. Very pleased with Start11.

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Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting couver, reply 11

Thank you to both newtonmcnay and basj!  Funny timing for me, as I had finally gotten so frustrated with this that I was about to uninstall Start11, but I do love having the bar on the right side (old habits die hard, and, frankly, it just seems way more ergonomic than mousing down to the bottom all the time--why be a Mac?).  Anyway, I couldn't figure out where to find the beta release until the post by newtonmcnay--thank you so much for following up with that info.  And, I agree with your assessment that it is impressive that this issue made it into the beta list notes--which are by far the most detailed I have seen (most just say "general fixes")--kudos to Stardock and basj for your commitment to the product, and for your responsiveness.  My task productivity thanks you both immensely for the fix!

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad the information helped you out. I should mention though, I’m just here to help surface issues and guide users to the right place — the real hard work and fixes are done by our Support and Development teams. They’re the ones who investigate, resolve, and push updates forward.

I see myself more as a middle man, helping wherever possible to make sure feedback reaches the right people and users get the guidance they need. I’ll pass along your appreciation to the team — they’ll be happy to know their efforts are making a difference!

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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