There are several third-party apps available for Windows 11 users who want to customize their Start menu, such as StartAllBack. However, it seems that Microsoft is trying to prevent the use of such utilities.
Reports suggest that Microsoft has started blocking Windows 11 updates on systems with the StartAllBack application installed. Users attempting to download the latest preview version receive an error message indicating that the app poses a potential security or performance risk.
The warning states that the application cannot be run due to security or performance issues on Windows. It suggests checking with the software vendor for an updated version that works with this version of Windows.
Although the blocking does not prevent StartAllBack from working on current versions of Windows 11, it affects access to the latest updates of this operating system. However, some users have found a temporary workaround by uninstalling StartAllBack, updating Windows 11, and then reinstalling the app using the renamed executable.
The developer of StartAllBack has acknowledged the problem and confirmed that a simple renaming trick helps the app bypass Microsoft’s restriction. However, they have also warned that future Windows updates could potentially break this workaround, now that the trick information is out.
Microsoft’s blocking of StartAllBack has drawn criticism from some members of the Windows community. Although the company may cite security and compatibility reasons for restricting certain apps during the update process, many view this as an example of Microsoft’s “hostile” attitude towards programs that modify or replace central components of the Windows user interface.