Start 11 - Delay when opening folders via shortcuts

Since I installed Start 11 about a week ago, I have noticed a long delay (several seconds) when clicking any of my folder shortcuts in the Start 11 menu.
The folders are on a network drive but I have not noticed any delay with Start 10 or previous versions.

Windows 10 Pro with Start 11 and "Windows 7 style".

3,904 views 15 replies
Reply #1 Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. It is normal for a network drive to take sometime to wake up for initial lookup. But after that it should be fast. Until the network drive gone to sleep again after sometime of no activity. Is the delay happen all the time even after the initial look up?

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 Top

Yes I understand that network folders could be a little slower, but not as much as I see since installing Start 11.
And it is not much faster even if I open the same folder twice, but there seems to be a difference depending on which folder I choose. :|  

As expected, there is a significant difference if I try with a local folder.

Reply #3 Top

Can  you post a video showing this issue. I don't see it on my system.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 Top

I'll see what I can do when I get the time (don't have any app for screen recording).

I installed Start 11 on another computer that also had been working fine with Start 10, and it immediately exhibited the same kind of delay.
It is more noticeable for some network folders than others, and I suspect it may have to do with what's in them, or maybe thumbnails or something. The number of files doesn't seem to affect it though.
The one that is most problematic contains around twenty CorelDRAW files (.cdr), but there are others that don't.

Is it possible to deactivate the recent files/folders list that appears when hovering over a folder shortcut by the way?

Reply #5 Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

Start11 did issue a new update in the last few days .

Have you done the most recent update ?

Go to your account page to download it .

Maybe that might help your issue ?

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 Top

Yes I believe I have the latest update, it downloaded an update just a couple of days ago (and I was happy it did because I thought the delay issue had been found an fixed. :( ).
On the second computer I mentioned in previous post, it downloaded the update right after installation.

Reply #7 Top

Yes, it is best if you could post a video so that we can actually see how long is a delay on your system.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #8 Top

So, I installed Start 11 on a third computer, this one with Windows 11 Pro.
It previously had Start 10 installed, before the upgrade to Windows 11, and it worked fine.
I see the same delay here as on the other two, and I have recorded a small video to show what I mean.
Since the mouse clicks aren't visible, I want you to know that I click each folder shortcut immediately when the mouse stops.

As you can see, the top two folders are the ones that are most problematic, and the opening order doesn't make any difference.
All folders are on the same network disk, except the last which is the local Desktop folder.
I have opened all folders just before recording so the NAS is definitely up and running.

Worth noting is that Start11 froze when I tried to open the top folder during my first attempt to record, and crashed.

Reply #9 Top

Hello,
I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 Top

Thank you.

I'm pretty sure now that this has to do with files from CorelDRAW (.CDR).
I tried to move all files in my "Grafik" folder to a subfolder instead, and the shortcut opened "Grafik" in no time.
Then I moved the .CDR files back, five at a time, and noticed how it took longer and longer to open via the shortcut.

Opening this folder from inside Windows Explorer is instant.

But no matter if these files have an impact or not, Start10 did not show any delay like this.

Reply #11 Top

One more thing.

I asked in a previous post if the files/folders list that appears when hovering over a folder shortcut could be deactivated, but didn't get any answer.
I have a feeling that this could have something to do with the delay issue.
It feels like Start11 reads the files and prepares to open the flyout, even though I have already clicked to open the Explorer window instead.

Just a thought but no matter what, I think it would be a good idea to include an option to disable these flyouts completely.
Don't know about others but I personally never use them.

Reply #12 Top

Hello,

Thanks for your input. I was informed that Dev is looking into this issue. Hopefully something will come up from all your feedback. Really appreciate it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #13 Top

FWIW, I installed the 1.16 beta but opening these folders are just as slow as they were in the original build.

Tried Windows 10 and Windows 11 style and they are both almost instant when opening one of these folders (pinned), while there is a delay of several seconds in Windows 7 and Modern style.
But hey, I use Start 11 because I want the old start menu, not these awkward Windows 10 and 11 versions. :rolleyes:

Reply #14 Top

Quoting Ronny_Axelsson, reply 13

FWIW, I installed the 1.16 beta but opening these folders are just as slow as they were in the original build.

Tried Windows 10 and Windows 11 style and they are both almost instant when opening one of these folders (pinned), while there is a delay of several seconds in Windows 7 and Modern style.
But hey, I use Start 11 because I want the old start menu, not these awkward Windows 10 and 11 versions. :rolleyes:
End of Ronny_Axelsson's quote

It is still on the list for further investigation.  I suspect from the description that the issue is indeed due to the jump lists opening.  Those will naturally take some time to parse and if your antivirus decides to scan everything things will be even slower.

That said you can stop the auto expanding by creating the following registry key : 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8

Create a REG_SZ value called "AutoExpand" and give it a value of "0"

 

Reply #15 Top

Thank you Neil.
Adding this string instantly fixed the issue.
The folders are now opening in fractions of a second, compared to, in some cases, five or six or even more.

The arrows to open the jump lists are still there, but I need to click an arrow to open a list.
This is definitely an acceptable workaround for me, but I still suggest you make it an option whether to open these lists by default or not.