The StartAllBack Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about StartAllBack in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
StartAllBack
The Insider’s Guide
Windows 11 taskbar, Start menu and Explorer restyling tool
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from StartAllBack’s own pages.
Made by Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack) · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from StartAllBack’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on StartAllBack’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 17 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade
StartAllBack changes the Windows 11 shell to bring back older layouts. It restores a movable taskbar with labels and adjustable icon sizes, a classic Start menu, the older File Explorer command bar and context menus. The same developer sells StartIsBack for Windows 8 and 10, and one license key works across versions.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about StartAllBack, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You install it and the taskbar changes, with options to adjust.
- 1
Best for an older-style Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu
StartAllBack gives Windows 11 a taskbar, Start menu and Explorer closer to the older ones, for $4.99 once.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $4.99 one-time for a personal license.
- 3
You can try it first
30-day trial with no feature limits; afterward it runs in a limited mode with a blank Start menu
- 4
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 5
Taskbar restore
Shows labels on task icons, sets icon size and margins, and moves the taskbar to the top, left or right edge.
- 6
Start menu
Brings back a Start menu that opens programs and system places in one click, with its own search.
- 7
File Explorer and Control Panel
Restores a revamped ribbon and command bar, a bottom details pane and the older search box.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 17 of 96
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.
StartAllBack at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $4.99 one-time for a personal license
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day trial with no feature limits; afterward it runs in a limited mode with a blank Start menu
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack)
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for an older-style Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu
StartAllBack gives Windows 11 a taskbar, Start menu and Explorer closer to the older ones, for $4.99 once. After the 30-day trial the Start menu goes blank and a reminder shows at every boot until you activate it.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $4.99 once for personal use, far under the category's cheaper quarter. Businesses pay $50 for 10 PCs. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A 30-day trial with no feature limits, and no card is mentioned. After that, a limited mode with a blank Start menu. |
| Features | C | Restores taskbar labels and placement, a Start menu, Explorer commands and old-style context menus. It does one job on Windows 11 only, and Windows 10 and 8 need StartIsBack. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. You install it and the taskbar changes, with options to adjust. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows 11 only for this product. No other platform and no integrations. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who StartAllBack is for
- Fits if you miss the older Windows taskbar and Start menu
- Works for businesses that want group-policy control over the Start menu
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you are on Windows 10 or earlier, as that is a different product, StartIsBack
- Watch out: after the 30-day trial the Start menu goes blank until you activate a key
- Not for you if you use Mac or Linux, as it is Windows only
- Watch out: new versions for new Windows releases may need a licence upgrade payment, and activation is tied to your hardware
Good to know
Good for
- Windows 11 users who miss the older taskbar and Start menu
- Businesses that want group-policy control over the Start menu
Worth knowing
- Windows 11 only for StartAllBack; Windows 10 and 8 use StartIsBack versions.
- After the 30-day trial the Start menu goes blank and a reminder appears at every boot until a key is activated.
- New versions for new Windows releases may need a license upgrade payment, according to the vendor's FAQ.
- Activation is tied to the PC's hardware, and one key activates a limited number of computers.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.99 one-time
To start
StartAllBack is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $4.99 one-time for a personal license.
After that, a limited mode with a blank Start menu.
Personal
$4.99
one-time, personal use
License key stated to work with any StartIsBack version, including StartAllBack. Personal use only; the site also mentions a family pack.
Business, 10 PCs
$50.00
one-time for 10 PCs
Required for business use. Adds group policies, priority email support and future optional updates; 100 PCs is $450 and 1,000 PCs is $3,000.
Trying it first
30-day trial with no feature limits; afterward it runs in a limited mode with a blank Start menu
Read from startisback.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Windows 11 taskbar, Start menu and Explorer restyling tool. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, one-time purchase, menu bar app.
Restores taskbar labels and placement, a Start menu, Explorer commands and old-style context menus.
- Taskbar restore
- Shows labels on task icons, sets icon size and margins, and moves the taskbar to the top, left or right edge.
- Start menu
- Brings back a Start menu that opens programs and system places in one click, with its own search.
- File Explorer and Control Panel
- Restores a revamped ribbon and command bar, a bottom details pane and the older search box.
- Context menus
- Replaces the Windows 11 menus with rounded acrylic ones that the vendor says open faster.
- Styles and recoloring
- Offers Windows 7, Windows 8 and third-party taskbar and Start menu styles and recolors UI in many windows apps.
- Light footprint
- The vendor says it uses less RAM and starts fewer processes than the default shell.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
StartAllBack is made by Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack).
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
17/96
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
StartAllBack's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 17 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 17.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 24 of 96) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 97 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. StartAllBack’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 96
- CFree plan and trialAbove 4 of 96
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 96
- BEase of useAbove 34 of 96
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 96
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.
StartAllBack sits between: not beyond making, and not a weekend's work either. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $4.99, paid once, it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It is priced for each person, which means accounts and billing for a team.
What this rests on. StartAllBack’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Microsoft PowerToys, Files, Fences and Flow Launcher
The 4 tools StartAllBack is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Microsoft PowerToys has a free plan. StartAllBack does not, though it has a free trial.
- StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft PowerToys is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Files
Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane.
- Files has a free plan. StartAllBack does not, though it has a free trial.
- StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Files is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Fences
Free trial · from $9.99/yr
Windows desktop organizer that groups icons into shaded areas.
- StartAllBack also covers menu bar app.
- Fences also covers file management.
- 3.0GPA
Flow Launcher
Free
Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows.
- Flow Launcher has a free plan. StartAllBack does not, though it has a free trial.
- StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is StartAllBack free?
No, StartAllBack is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day trial with no feature limits; afterward it runs in a limited mode with a blank Start menu.
How much does StartAllBack cost?
StartAllBack lists 2 plans. Personal: $4.99 one-time, personal use.
What platforms does StartAllBack work on?
StartAllBack is available on Windows.
Does StartAllBack have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. StartAllBack is listed for Windows.
Does StartAllBack have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. StartAllBack is listed for Windows.
Is StartAllBack open source?
StartAllBack is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does StartAllBack work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes StartAllBack?
StartAllBack is made by Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack).
What are the alternatives to StartAllBack?
The closest alternatives to StartAllBack in our directory are Microsoft PowerToys, Files, Fences and Flow Launcher.
How does StartAllBack compare with other desktop utilities?
StartAllBack's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 17 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 17.
Could I make my own version of StartAllBack?
It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from StartAllBack’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from StartIsBack's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack). Prices change, so check startallback.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- StartAllBack, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/startallback
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "StartAllBack: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/startallback
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/startallback/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after StartAllBack, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 97 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- PeaZip Insider's GuideFree file archiver for Linux, macOS and Windows3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what StartAllBack’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. StartAllBack is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Stanislav Zinukhov (StartIsBack). Prices and plans change: check startallback.com before you buy.