ViStart Changelog

What's new in ViStart 8.1 Build 5311

Apr 4, 2023
  • If you’re a fan of the classic Windows Start menu but find the new Windows 11 layout confusing, we have great news for you! Our team at ViStart has developed a new version of our popular Start menu replacement tool that not only supports Windows 11, but also comes with exciting new features that improve the user experience.
  • One of the most significant improvements is the improved start-up times on all operating systems. ViStart now launches even faster, so you can access your apps and files more quickly than ever before. This improvement makes a noticeable difference in productivity, especially for those who rely heavily on their Start menu to launch frequently used applications.
  • Additionally, the new ViStart includes the functionality to toggle folder contents instead of opening them explorer (the default behavior for recent items). This feature is especially useful for those who want a quick and easy way to access the contents of specific folders without having to navigate through multiple menus. With ViStart, you can quickly and easily access your files and folders with just a click of a button.
  • Another significant improvement is better stability. ViStart has always been a reliable tool for Start menu customization, and the latest version takes it to a new level. Our team has worked hard to ensure that the new ViStart is more stable than ever before, minimizing crashes and improving the overall user experience.
  • Of course, the biggest feature of the new ViStart is its support for Windows 11, including the latest update. ViStart seamlessly integrates with Windows 11, providing a familiar and intuitive interface for users who prefer the traditional Start menu. With ViStart, you can customize your Start menu to your liking, choose from a variety of themes, colors, and styles, and even pin your favorite apps for quick and easy access.
  • In conclusion, the new ViStart is an excellent tool for those who want a traditional Start menu experience on their Windows 11 operating system. With improved start-up times, the ability to toggle folder contents pop outs, better stability, and seamless integration with Windows 11, ViStart is the perfect replacement for the new Windows 11 Start menu. If you’re looking for a reliable and customizable Start menu solution, download ViStart today and see the difference for yourself!

New in ViStart 8.1 Build 5208 (Mar 22, 2016)

  • Support for Windows 10
  • No more adware

New in ViStart 8.1 Build 5198 (Jan 28, 2014)

  • Fixed Orb misalignment issues in Windows 8.1 (All orbs should work now)
  • Fixed 64bit app shortcuts not working in Windows 8
  • Added better ViPad integration

New in ViStart 8.1 Build 5180 (Jan 4, 2014)

  • ViStart now loads a default settings.xml in the event the user's settings.xml is corrupt
  • ViStart has much better Windows 8.1 support (Orb integrates without 'odd' spacer)
  • Orb on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 aligns better to taskbar
  • English.xml language file fixed (improper XML before)
  • Installer no longer deletes previous settings.xml (thus preserving original settings)

New in ViStart 8.1 Build 5132 (Apr 17, 2013)

  • Added better DPI detection (150%, Windows 8)
  • Added ViPad integration (pin apps to ViPad from ViStart)
  • [installer fix] Support for multiple window users
  • [installer fix] admin no longer required to run and install vistart
  • [added windows 8 blue start menu to installer]
  • [added new ViUpdater to installer]
  • [makes previous vistart installations inert, still better to remove before installing this though]

New in ViStart 8.1 Build 5077 (Jan 30, 2013)

  • Start menu has new Windows 8 skins
  • New options
  • Improved 64bit support
  • New skin gallery
  • Ultra Jumplists
  • Personalized Pinned Lists
  • Super Indexing and Improved File Searching
  • Context menus and right click support

New in ViStart 7.1 Build 4002 (Oct 24, 2012)

  • Muted string errors with settings.xml
  • Improved updater
  • SearchProvider plugin now closes when ViStart is terminated
  • Some icons fixed
  • Fixed backward compatability issues with older skins
  • Added jumplists
  • Added windows search integration for platforms that support it (XP users should install Windows Desktop Search to take advantage)
  • Added pinning lists (right click on programs to pin/unpin them)
  • Added additional skinning posabilities

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3866 (Apr 25, 2012)

  • Fixed improper OS detection (related to decimal bug in foreign languages)

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3865 (Apr 25, 2012)

  • When requested font is unavailable in layout, ViStart will select it's default font
  • Fixed skin. Now comes with the Windows 7 ViStart skin, as usual

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3864 (Apr 25, 2012)

  • Various focus bugs:
  • Windows 7, 8 (Explorer links open in focus)
  • Textbox automatically takes focus when writing a filename
  • Strange search textbox oddness
  • Windows 8 Shutdown Bug
  • Searchbox white colour bug
  • Recent items not appearing in Windows 7, 8
  • Fixed the File and Program separator bitmaps
  • Cleaned code up a lot more
  • Added a plethora of customization features to the layout.xml

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3824 (Apr 25, 2012)

  • Fixes High CPU Usage across all Windows

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3822 (Apr 25, 2012)

  • Languages that use , for floating point now fixed (Runtime error 13)
  • Language Changer requests admin on Vista,7,8

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3807 (Mar 6, 2012)

  • Added Support for Windows 8 (experimental)
  • Added Support for left,top,right taskbar on all OS's
  • Fixed Windows 8 Shutdown bug

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3765 (Oct 4, 2011)

  • Fixed - Blur switched
  • Fixed - OneStep Installer (Used to overwrite skins without a reason)
  • Fixed - OneStep All activation problems

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3764 (Oct 4, 2011)

  • Fixed - OneStep Installer (Used to overwrite skins without a reason)
  • Fixed - DPI Fix for integrated Orb
  • Fixed - Blur can be switched off by removing the mask bitmap

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3759 (Oct 4, 2011)

  • Added - True blur
  • Added - Blur mask bmp (requirement)
  • Fixed - Dwinn shutdown error

New in ViStart 2.0 Build 3685 (Jun 18, 2010)

  • * Fixed - Transparent(Line) search box bug (Windows XP)
  • * Changed - OneStep installer now overwrites the default skin
  • * Changed - OneStep installer now verifies settings XML syntax
  • * Added - Windows 7 User Interface
  • * Added - Windows 7 Orb
  • * Added - Layout.xml for skin customization
  • * Added - Backwards compatibility with ViStart 6 skins
  • * Added - Greek language setting to Language Changer

New in ViStart Beta 6 Build 3167 (May 21, 2008)

  • Fixed delayed Rollover display
  • Added seperation structure display (Files, Programs)
  • Fixed Rollover not showing long filenames
  • Fixed Program names not quite fitting on the treeview
  • Fixed Filenames containg '&' report incorrect length thus linking to not quite fitting on treeview issue
  • Fixed forced Tahoma on Treeview
  • Added "Large Icon (48x48)" support
  • Repositioned "Standerd Icon (48x48)" for more (increase Vista likeness)
  • Added indexing for personal files
  • Fixed ViStart incorrectly reporting files as programs
  • Removed horizontal scrolling cababality to (increase Vista likeness)
  • Fixed Start menu frequent menu not rolling over correctly frequent items correctly when TaskBar is positioned Left
  • Vista style menu is more responsive (shutdown menu etc)
  • Fixed programs indexer indexing hidden items
  • Fixed nodes appearing out of alignment for the DisplayAll results
  • Repositioned rollover hdc to resemble closer vista appearence
  • Fixed ViStart not terminating all threads in process
  • Fixed Children being considerd during dynamic indexing (DynamicIndexing works)
  • Added ViStart doesn't close for things it cannot open
  • Removed prefix's in Frequent window
  • Changed registry keys naming schema for settings FeatureName"Enable"
  • Fixed Hook (Unconfirmed)