---
title: "Start Menu Products Registry Settings"
canonical: "https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1750138994/Start%20Menu%20Products%20Registry%20Settings"
format: markdown
---
This page documents all registry keys that can be used to configure Start8, Start11, and Start11 v2. All keys are string (REG_SZ) values unless otherwise noted.

## Quick Reference

All HKCU keys are created at: `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8`

All values are REG_SZ (string) type. Create the key with the specified value to enable the feature.

After manually editing registry keys, run `Start11Config RELOADSETTINGS` from a command prompt to apply changes without restarting Explorer.

> ⚠️ **Important:** Many of these registry keys do not exist by default. To enable a feature, you must manually create the key with the specified value at the appropriate registry path. Use Registry Editor (regedit.exe) or deploy via Group Policy/scripting for enterprise environments.

> Macro (toc)

# Registry Paths

| **Path Type** | **Registry Path** | **Used By** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| User Settings (HKCU) | `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8` | All Products |
| Machine Settings (HKLM) | `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8` | Enterprise/Admin deployments |

# Start8

Registry keys available in Start8 (legacy product).

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HideTips` | 1 | Hides tooltips in the start menu | 1.1 |

*Note: Start8 changelogs mention additional registry entries for hidden items in All Programs, user picture borders, tree horizontal scroll bars, and Search the Internet button, but specific key names were not documented.*

# Start11 (v1.x)

Registry keys introduced in Start11 version 1.x releases.

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `OldWinKeyLogic` | 1 | Restores previous Win key behavior where the menu opens on the monitor where the mouse is located, rather than always on the primary monitor | 1.30 |
| `HideTaskbarLineEntirely` | 1 | Hides the taskbar line entirely on 22H2 taskbars, regardless of alpha settings | 1.31 |
| `ForceWin11MenuToOffset` | 1 | Aligns the Windows 11 menu with the start button instead of centering it | 1.31 |
| `AllowThirdPartyTaskbars` | 1 | Reverts to legacy taskbar system to support third-party app launching (e.g., DisplayFusion) | 1.36 |
| `ForceCloseAllAlways` | 1 | Forces "Close All Windows" option to always show on Win11 taskbar button right-click | 1.47 |
| `ShowAllNonUWAOnTaskbar` | 1 | Shows all non-UWA (non-Universal Windows App) windows on the taskbar even when using virtual desktops, regardless of which desktop they are on | 1.47 |

# Start11 v2

Registry keys introduced in Start11 version 2.x releases. These keys provide advanced customization options for enterprise deployments and power users.

## Power Menu & Shutdown Options

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_HideShutdownOption` | 1 | Hides the shutdown entry from the power menu for Win10+ menu styles | 2.60 |
| `S11_HideAllSignoutItems` | 1 | Hides all signout/shutdown options from the shutdown menu | 2.60 |
| `S11_OnlyShowSignout` | 1 | Makes Sign Out the only option in the power menu | 2.55 |
| `S11_OnlyShowReboot` | 1 | Shows only the Reboot option in the power menu (useful for business users) | 2.51 |
| `S11_AutoExpandShutdownOtherStyles` | 1 | Enables shutdown menu auto-expansion on the right-hand side for menu styles other than Win10/11/Pro/Launcher/App | 2.07 |

## RDP & Remote Session Options

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_RDPShowSignout` | 1 | Allows RDP clients to see the signout option in the power menu | 2.60 |
| `S11_RDPShowReboot` | 1 | Allows RDP clients to see the reboot option in the power menu | 2.60 |

## Menu Behavior & Display

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_DisableAllAppsButton` | 1 | Disables access to the All Apps button in the start menu | 2.60 |
| `S11_DisableMenuResizing` | 1 | Prevents users from resizing the start menu | 2.60 |
| `S11_AlwaysScrollMenus` | 1 | Forces Start11 to use a scrolling list instead of multi-column menus | 2.01 |
| `S11_HideJumpListOnWin7ModernMenus` | 1 | Hides the ">" indicator on Win7/Modern menus so jump lists do not show | 2.06 |
| `S11_PutUniversalAppsInFolderByDefault` | 1 | Puts Universal apps in a "Universal Apps" folder in Win10/11/Pro/Launcher/App menus | 2.03 |
| `S11_NoMenuAnimations` | 1 | Turns off right-click menu animations | 2.03 |
| `S11_MenuStyle` | 0, 1, or 2 | Controls the right-click menu style on Windows 11. 0 = translucent menus, 1 = solid menus, 2 = color-tinted translucent menus | 2.01 |
| `S11_HideShadows` | 0 (show), 1 (hide) | Hide shadows on the Start11 menu | 2.7.0.0 |
| `S11_ForceDarkMode` | 0 (auto), 1 (force dark), 2 (force light) | Dark custom colors will make Win7 style menus use dark mode instead of light mode as before | 2.7.0.0 |

## User Identity & Display

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_MaskUserIcon` | 1 | Masks (hides) the user picture in the start menu | 2.06 |
| `S11_OverrideUserName` | [custom text] | Replaces the displayed username with custom text | 2.06 |

## Taskbar Options

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_ShowAutoHideOnTaskbar` | 1 | Shows the toggle for autohide on the taskbar right-click menu | 2.06 |
| `S11_UseOldRightClickMenus` | 1 | Uses Win32 menus on taskbar right-click to allow third-party extension of the menu | 2.06 |
| `S11_DelayAutoHide` | 1 | Delays the autohide show/hide behavior for a smoother experience | 2.01 |
| `S11_HideTBPopups` | 1 | Forces disabling of OS thumbnail popup windows on the taskbar | 2.60 |
| `S11_DelayCentreUpdateWin10` | [ms value] | Delays taskbar center mode updates on Windows 10 (value in milliseconds) | 2.5 |
| `S11_UseWin11RightClickOnGroups` | 1 | Changes shift + right click on a combined taskbar button with enhanced taskbar, to be like Win11 and only show the active window’s menu | 2.7.3.0 |

## Search Behavior

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_UseMostRecentRunForSearchTerm` | 0 | When set to 0, stops Start11 from promoting the most recently run app for a given search term | 2.07 |
| `S11_AlwaysStripAccentsInSearch` | 0 | When set to 0, matches accents in search queries (case-insensitive). By default, accents are ignored | 2.06 |

## Compatibility & Third-Party

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `S11_FORCESABOptOut` | 1 | Forces Start11 to believe StartAllBack (SAB) is running, for compatibility purposes | 2.60 |
| `S11_UseNewFolderBrowser` | 1 | Uses the newer-style folder picker windows instead of legacy dialogs | 2.51 |
| `S11_BLOCKMOSTTASK` | 1 | Stops Start11 from modifying most taskbar behavior for compatibility with third-party tools. Disables enhanced taskbar, taskbar color control, custom start button, etc. Requires Explorer restart after changing. | 2.7.0.1 |

## Configuration Panel Lock (HKCU)

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `LockConfig` | 1 | Prevents access to the Start11 configuration panel. To bypass, run: `Start11Config.exe BYPASSLOCK` | 2.0 |
| `SettingsImportPath` | [full path] | Device-specific configuration path to a .S11Backup file. When set in HKCU, overrides the HKLM SettingsImportPath setting for this user | 2.04 |

## Enterprise Deployment (HKLM)

These keys are stored in the HKLM path for machine-wide configuration:

`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8`

| **Key Name** | **Value** | **Description** | **Version Added** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `SettingsImportPath` | [full path] | Full path to a Start11 settings backup file (.S11Backup). On login or Explorer restart, this will import the specified settings, replacing all existing settings | 2.40 |
| `AllowLocalImportPath` | 1 | When enabled, allows device-specific configuration overrides via the HKCU SettingsImportPath key | 2.40 |
| `S11_MenuLockDownMode` | 1 | Locks the Start menu from user modifications. Users cannot customize pinned items, groups, or menu layout | 2.40 |
| `S11_MenuLockDownModeAllowUserOverride` | 1 | When S11_MenuLockDownMode is enabled, this permits specific devices to override the lockdown restrictions | 2.40 |

For more detailed information on these settings and deployment scenarios, see [Start11 v2 for Business - Layout Deployment Documentation](https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1638170677/Start11+v2+for+Business+-+Layout+Deployment+Documentation).

# Related Windows Settings

*The following is not a Start11 registry key, but a Windows OS policy setting that affects Start menu behavior. It is included here for reference as it may be useful in enterprise environments alongside Start11 configuration.*

| **Key Name** | **Path** | **Type** | **Value** | **Description** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `DisableContextMenusInStart` | `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer` | REG_DWORD | 1 | Disables right-click context menus in the Windows Start menu. This is a Windows Group Policy setting, not a Start11 setting. |