Persistent Issue with Start10 and Windows 11 Upgrade

Unable to Upgrade to Windows 11 Due to Start10 Compatibility Issue

from Stardock Forums

Hello Stardock Support and Community,

I'm reaching out for help with a persistent issue related to Start10 and upgrading to Windows 11. Despite Windows reminding me daily that my PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11, my upgrade attempts are halted by an alert indicating a need for the latest version of Start10. Following the prompt to "Learn More" directs me to a Microsoft support link detailing a compatibility hold due to certain start replacement apps.

Efforts to resolve this issue included uninstalling Start10, manually removing its files from my hard drive, and clearing related entries from the registry. However, these steps have not mitigated the upgrade barrier. Each attempt to install Windows 11 results in the same error, and subsequent restarts prompt an alert stating, "This product is not activated on this computer. Would you like to uninstall this product?”

This leaves me in a loop where I cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to the Start10 error, and I cannot resolve the error as suggested because I am unable to complete the upgrade. It's my understanding that upgrading to Start11 as a solution is not applicable since I am currently on Windows 10.

I purchased Start10 via Steam on September 24, 2020. I can provide further details about my purchase if necessary.

I am seeking guidance on how to proceed with either successfully removing Start10 to facilitate the Windows 11 upgrade or any alternative solutions that might be available. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and help.

Here is a link to screen grabs related to this problem: https://imgur.com/a/J7yRgdP

Here are the tech specs of my PC:

Host Name:                 DESKTOP-4CMKOSH

OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 10 Home

OS Version:                10.0.19045 N/A Build 19045

OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation

OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation

OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free

Registered Owner:          Owner

Registered Organization:   

Product ID:                00326-10000-00000-AA259

Original Install Date:     3/25/2021, 7:17:56 AM

System Boot Time:          1/27/2024, 7:58:23 PM

System Manufacturer:       System manufacturer

System Model:              System Product Name

System Type:               x64-based PC

Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.

                           [01]: AMD64 Family 25 Model 33 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~3701 Mhz

BIOS Version:              American Megatrends Inc. 4408, 10/28/2022

Windows Directory:         C:\WINDOWS

System Directory:          C:\WINDOWS\system32

Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume4

Motherboard: (updated Dec 16 2023) ASUS Tuf Gaming X570-Plus

Processor: (updated Dec 16 2023) AMD Ryzen 9 5900x 4.8GHz 12 core 24 thread processor

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB 2 x 16GB DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit

 

System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)

Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)

Time Zone:                 (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Total Physical Memory:     32,671 MB

Available Physical Memory: 16,624 MB

Virtual Memory: Max Size:  54,175 MB

Virtual Memory: Available: 28,796 MB

Virtual Memory: In Use:    25,379 MB

Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys

Domain:                    WORKGROUP

Logon Server:              \\DESKTOP-4CMKOSH

Hotfix(s):                 32 Hotfix(s) Installed.

                           [01]: KB5033918

                           [02]: KB5027122

                           [03]: KB4562830

                           [04]: KB4580325

                           [05]: KB5003791

                           [06]: KB5011048

                           [07]: KB5012170

                           [08]: KB5015684

                           [09]: KB5008575

                           [10]: KB5033372

                           [11]: KB5006753

                           [12]: KB5007273

                           [13]: KB5011352

                           [14]: KB5011651

                           [15]: KB5014032

                           [16]: KB5014035

                           [17]: KB5014671

                           [18]: KB5015895

                           [19]: KB5016705

                           [20]: KB5018506

                           [21]: KB5020372

                           [22]: KB5022924

                           [23]: KB5023794

                           [24]: KB5025315

                           [25]: KB5026879

                           [26]: KB5028318

                           [27]: KB5028380

                           [28]: KB5029709

                           [29]: KB5031539

                           [30]: KB5032392

                           [31]: KB5032907

                           [32]: KB5005699

Network Card(s):           8 NIC(s) Installed.

                           [01]: TAP-Windows Adapter V9

                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection 2

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [02]: ExpressVPN Wintun Driver

                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [03]: ExpressVPN TAP Adapter

                                 Connection Name: Ethernet 3

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [04]: TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter V9

                                 Connection Name: Ethernet 4

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [05]: TAP-Windows Adapter V9

                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection 3

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [06]: Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9260 160MHz

                                 Connection Name: Wi-Fi 2

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

                           [07]: Realtek Gaming GbE Family Controller

                                 Connection Name: Ethernet 5

                                 DHCP Enabled:    Yes

                                 DHCP Server:     10.0.0.1

                                 IP address(es)

                                 [01]: 10.0.0.68

                                 [02]: fe80::91ec:3025:c3c:6573

                                 [03]: 2601:1c2:700:bfa0:adbe:765:eb58:c30

                                 [04]: 2601:1c2:700:bfa0:e88f:9459:bef5:9436

                                 [05]: 2601:1c2:700:bfa0::5917

                           [08]: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

                                 Connection Name: Bluetooth Network Connection 2

                                 Status:          Media disconnected

Hyper-V Requirements:      VM Monitor Mode Extensions: Yes

                           Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: No

                           Second Level Address Translation: Yes

 

                           Data Execution Prevention Available: Yes

 

start10 windows 11 upgrade compatibility issue technical support stardock software start menu products
4,041 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

There is a major flaw with how Microsoft detect apps.  If any file it is looking for is found in any location including installed in other OSes if a dual boot it will claim things are installed.  Even backups can trigger this.

Unfortunately Microsoft did not consult with us so we have no idea what files it is looking for.

Now that said if you are getting a prompt about not being activated then you have not removed the product and it is still running.

The install location is c:\program files(x86)\stardock\start10 and I would suspect you still have files in there.  If so you will find some may be locked.  You would need to disable the service using services.MSc first (start10) and then reboot and you should be able to delete that folder.

If there are no files in there then my recommendation is to search for Start10*.exe on any drives you have.  Start10config.exe will be the one popping up the not activated message.

Also Start11 does support both Windows 10 and 11.  Installing a trial of that might disable the start10 bits but you might still need to delete the start10 folder.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Good news that Start11 can be installed on 10! That may solve the problem. Deeply appreciate your prompt reply - I'll keep you posted. I really have enjoyed the product!

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

After taking your advice I found there are still traces of Start10 ALL OVER my C Drive, beyond Program Files x86! I tried to delete them, but they won't go away. It says it can't delete until I quit, but after I quit, it just reopens. Help?