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TaskbarTools VS StartIsBack

Compare TaskbarTools VS StartIsBack and see what are their differences

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TaskbarTools logo TaskbarTools

Set the Windows Taskbar to any opacity and colour desired.

StartIsBack logo StartIsBack

StartIsBack returns Windows 10 and Windows 8 a real fully featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7. It's totally awesome and easy solution for your new Windows woes.
  • TaskbarTools Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • StartIsBack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-21

TaskbarTools features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

StartIsBack features and specs

  • Classic Start Menu
    StartIsBack restores the classic Start menu which many users are familiar with and prefer over the modern versions in Windows 8 and later.
  • Customization
    The software offers extensive customization options for the Start menu, taskbar, and other UI elements, allowing users to tweak their experience to their liking.
  • Lightweight
    StartIsBack is a lightweight application with a small memory footprint and does not slow down the system.
  • Improved Productivity
    By providing a familiar and efficient interface, it enhances user productivity by making it easier to find and launch programs and settings.
  • Seamless Integration
    The application integrates seamlessly with Windows, providing a native feel that doesn't disrupt the overall user experience.

Possible disadvantages of StartIsBack

  • Cost
    StartIsBack is a paid application, which may be a drawback for users looking for a free solution.
  • Limited to Windows
    The software is only compatible with Windows, so users on other operating systems cannot benefit from its features.
  • System Updates
    Major Windows updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues, requiring users to wait for a new version of StartIsBack to address problems.
  • Customization Complexity
    Though it's highly customizable, the multiple options can overwhelm less tech-savvy users, making it difficult for them to find the best settings.
  • Additional Resource Usage
    Although lightweight, it still uses some system resources, which might be a concern for very low-end systems.

Analysis of TaskbarTools

Overall verdict

  • TaskbarTools is a solid, lightweight open-source utility for Windows that lets users customize the taskbar's appearance, offering transparency and color tweaks that Windows lacks natively, making it a good choice for those wanting a cleaner desktop look.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, so it's transparent and community-verifiable
  • Lightweight with minimal system resource usage
  • Allows fine-grained control over taskbar transparency, color, and accent effects
  • Simple, portable tool that doesn't require complex installation
  • Actively used by the Windows customization community

Recommended for

  • Windows users who want to customize taskbar transparency and appearance
  • Desktop customization enthusiasts and rice communities
  • Users seeking a lightweight, free alternative to paid customization tools
  • Those comfortable running open-source utilities from GitHub

Analysis of StartIsBack

Overall verdict

  • Overall, StartIsBack is considered a reliable and user-friendly program that delivers on its promise to restore and improve the classic Windows interface. It is appreciated for its simplicity, efficiency, and ability to integrate seamlessly into the Windows operating system.

Why this product is good

  • StartIsBack is a popular tool for Windows users who prefer the classic Start menu and taskbar functionality that was present in older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7. It brings back and enhances these features, offering a customizable experience which can greatly improve productivity and user satisfaction for those who are not fond of the default Start menu in newer Windows iterations.

Recommended for

    StartIsBack is particularly recommended for users who find the default Windows Start menu and taskbar interface in versions like Windows 8 or Windows 10 lacking in functionality or aesthetic appeal. It's ideal for those who prefer a more traditional desktop environment or wish to enhance their efficiency with a tailored Start menu and taskbar experience.

TaskbarTools videos

No TaskbarTools videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

StartIsBack videos

+ Add

StartisBack++ 2.6.2 | Review | Full Version | Full Function | 2018

More videos:

  • Review - Customize Windows 10 With StartIsBack++ And Visual Styles
  • Tutorial - StartIsBack Windows 8 App Review - How to Get the Windows 7 Start Menu in Windows 8

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TaskbarTools and StartIsBack)

TaskbarTools

StartIsBack

OS & Utilities
15 15%
OS & Utilities
85% 85
Note Taking
11 11%
Note Taking
89% 89
LMS
12 12%
LMS
88% 88
Web Service Automation
100 100%
Web Service Automation
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, StartIsBack seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

TaskbarTools mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of TaskbarTools yet. Tracking of TaskbarTools recommendations started around Mar 2021.

StartIsBack mentions (10)

  • PSA: If anyone wants a better start menu experience on Windows, install Open Shell
    If you use Windows 10, startisback is by the same dev as StartAllBack: http://startisback.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I made Windows 10 look like Windows 8.1
    Just a sec, I made Windows 10 look like Windows 8.1 with Startisback (get it at startisback.com if you don't have it). Source: about 4 years ago
  • Glad to say I stayed with vegas pro since i started editing about 7 years ago. Just finished cutting 1000+ clips from EOS r6 10bit clog3 and a7iii 8bit final time of 1 and half hour in my laptop and it never had a single hic-cup. Might be due to the last build 636 update that it is much stable now.
    Haha..got you there....its a windows 10 and I added startallback (https://startisback.com) for that sweet windows 7 logo only. I hate that boxy logo design of win 10. It's a msi prestige 15 11th gen i7 with 16gb ram. Video cards are Intel Iris Xe and Nvidia 1650. The intel graphics tends to do better when selected as primary for vegas pro since it runs parallel with nvidia and can decode faster that way. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Everyday Im reminded I will lose Windows 8.1 in less then a year. I saw some people posting their setups so I thought it might be a not bad idea to post mine.
    Non-free: https://startisback.com/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Honestly, Windows 11 is not that impressive.
    StartAllBack, startisback.com, 30-day trial and $4.99 after that. I wasn't totally satisficed with it. When Start11 added the Windows 10 start menu, I went back to it. Source: almost 5 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing TaskbarTools and StartIsBack, you can also consider the following products

Classic Shell - Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.

TranslucentTB - TranslucentTB make Windows Taskbar transparent

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

Lively Wallpaper - What is it? Lively is a Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) for animated desktop wallpapers.

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.

TaskbarX - TaskbarX gives you control over the position of your taskbar icons.

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