I’ve been using StartIsBack++ on Windows 10 for many, many years—probably since around the time Windows 10 was first released—and by now I simply can’t get used to a Windows system without StartIsBack++ or StartAllBack. However, on Windows 11, StartAllBack seems to be far less customizable than StartIsBack++ was on Windows 10
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so true. i think wind hawk just recently added taskbar mods. thou startisback is less intrusive, install and done! it doensnt break other elements.
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About Microsoft. Hard to understand them. It really seems like they invest a lot of money just to make people angry for no reason. For example:
Make it clear that "PENDING" comments have to be submitted
I personally lost several days because I got confused as well. Not a single comment tries to defend this. Who decided to do that? It worked well before 
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Truly insane.
With monitors most often being wider than tall, it makes sense to put the Task Bar on the left or right, as that intrudes less on the workspace by a factor of 9/16ths or so.
Well, if Windows 12 is so tightly tied to AI and Copilot, that you can't at best remove them, or at least disable them, I'm done. On to Linux Mint completely. I'm thinking this will be the monumentally stupid thing Microsoft does, that chases a good percentage of their userbase away. The only reason I am running Windows 11 is that I found a cheat that would let me install it on my 8-year-old system.
if Windows 12 is so tightly tied to AI and Copilot, that you can't at best remove them, or at least disable them, I'm done.
Windows Home edition? That is certainly going to happen.
Windows IOT, Enterprise? No, Enterprise customers will not allow it. There are companies that use Windows with draconian security measures. Also, many very expensive industrial HW use Windows.
Right now, for example, you can disable Microsoft Bing integration. I'm sure the same will be with Copilot and other AI stuff.
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Using Pro, not Home. But I suppose that is correct, about Enterprise, and kiosk vendors as well, not allowing it. Which hopefully filters to the Pro edition.
Something I just thought of, they might find a way to make it impossible to install Win 12 on my system.
Something I just thought of, they might find a way to make it impossible to install Win 12 on my system.
If your system doesn't even support Windows 11 out of the box, there's a very good chance Windows 12 won't work. The compiled assembly will start using instructions that your processor doesn't have. Also, there will be no drivers for your socket. However, Microsoft still supports Windows 10. Thus, you can probably still have 20 years for Windows 11.
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Yeah, that's how some older systems are blocked from 11. Mine is just because my CPU is not on the allowed list, even though it has those instructions. But one can disable that check upon install. But it works like a charm, although I will never get WiFi or Bluetooth driver updates.
You can just install Windows 11 IOT LTSC. The latest one will get updates till 2034. Thus, you have 8 years of not worrying about any AI or fancy features.
True, I could go that route. Or, if I run into wireless issues, buy a wireless dongle.
If your WIFI driver works with the current Windows, then it will work with this IOT edition during its lifespan. The whole idea that you will only get security updates, they will not break your drivers.
If I have to go that route, I will. I do have other issues with Win 11 that push me to make a change, though. Decisions, decisions.
I should point out that I am somewhat miffed I have to go to this trouble to continue using Windows. A part of me says "Hey Microsoft, if you don't want me as a user, then bye-bye!". I have perfectly serviceable hardware, and shouldn't have to replace it to keep up with Windows the way Microsoft wants me to. Any way, I've gotten way off topic.
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I install win11 pro for about 2.5 days and said F.*k this!
Then I tried IoT and it's it great! Use the Rufus work around if ur on older hardware.
Have both 10 & 11 IoT's. I'm never looking back.
I will not install any "Gernal population" versions of windows again. Not even 10. There's just no point\benefit to the bloat and software rot it causes. If theres anything u need from from GE pop, 95% of it is able to be installed manually.
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Yeah, the bloat is an issue, although I found other ways of dealing with it. I'm more worried if I have turned all the telemetry off. I don't want M$ to be spying on me, especially for AI.
long time user of StartIsBack++ (windows 10 version of StartAllBack) and can say without doubt I have never once even tried to use Windows 10 or 11 without this program. The new Start Menus Microsoft keeps coming up with are worse than the ones before it, and I just stick with what works. This app I think is something like 5 or 10 bucks and I've been using it for close to a decade, ever since Win 10 came out. Whenever I upgrade my rig and get onto 11 (which I am not looking forward to) I'll move to the new app because 11's start menu is what a start menu with Down's syndrome looks like.
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Supposedly MS is going to release a new Start menu this summer, that brings back some of the stuff they took away, like putting it on the sides or top, for instance. But in the meantime StartAllBack is great. I've heard that Start11 from Stardock is nice, too. And 7 dollars, IIRC.
Yes, I think SAB is 5 dollars.
Yes, I have been a paying customer for Stardock's Fences for many years now, I really love that software, but I will warn any unsuspecting user - Stardock is one of the Universe's worst violators of Bloatware, and evil re-purchasing. They make a solid customizing suite, and have lots of cool programs and options, but good gravy their apps just come chock to the gills with unnecessary windows services, start up tasks, etc. And I've had to purchase Fences I think 4 times now, because they will come up with 1 or 2 cool new ideas, and make a completely new version number and make everyone buy the new version all over again. They are the software version of Apple and their damn Iphones.
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