Our favorite Start menu replacement finally supports Windows 11 on ARM and runs on my Surface Pro, fixing Microsoft’s failures
Now ARM64-native, Start11 v2 is Stardock’s flexible replacement for Windows 11’s Start menu, restoring classic features.
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What you need to know
The Start menu is arguably the most iconic feature in Microsoft’s operating system, initially introduced in Windows 95. It remains a staple in Windows 11, butchanges to category viewsand a disappointing move tointegrate ads in the top half of the Start menuhave made it a divisive feature among users. Thankfully, software developers atStardock have completed beta testingof its fantastic Start menu replacement ‘Start11 v2’ on ARM64 devices, now natively supported forWindows on Arm.
“Withnative ARM support for Start11 v2, this means that you can use the latest Windows 11 devices, powered by Qualcomm Elite chips, with Start11 v2 to make these new devices a more personalized and productive desktop.”
The latest build has more updates than platform support for thebest Windows on ARM laptops. However, it’s the most exciting addition sinceI still use a previous-generation Surface Pro Xand have long awaited a third-party fix for Microsoft’s frustrating design changes. To be completely transparent, I’m a nostalgia addict with rose-tinted goggles firmly attached to Windows, so I’ll always fall back to the old-style Start menu whenever I can, and I love it here withStart11 v2.
“Several other updates in this release includingenhanced search for legacy Control Panel items– more legacy Control Panel items will now show up when searching.”
Check out Start11’s full range of features at theofficial Stardock websiteto see why I love it so much. Any native support for Windows on Arm devices receives high praise from all of us at Windows Central, as we saw first-hand the benefits ofQualcomm’s Snapdragon X Eliteprocessors running cutting-edge ARM64 devices likeMicrosoft’s “stunning” Surface Pro 11. As soon as a5G-capable Surface Pro 11 launchesto general availability, I’ll undoubtedly upgrade, but I’ll still use Start11.
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How much is a Start11 subscription?
Stardock offers afree trial for Start11 v2, and single-device subscriptionsstart at $7.99. Alternatively, you can access it as part ofObject Desktop, a more comprehensive suite of customizable options for Windows 11 that allows users to apply themes to their desktops and even restoreWindows 2000 aesthetics. I recommend starting with Start11 v2 to test the Start menu customizations and graduate to Object Desktop to experiment with Stardock’s full range of Windows 11 tweaks.
Start11 v2 |$7.99 (single-device)
Customize your Start menu in Windows with Stardock’s Start11 and have complete control over everything you see.
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Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
