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Joined: Jul 2000
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I finally let Microsoft nag me into getting Windows 11. Everything is working fine. I only have one problem with it, the start menu/taskbar. I liked Win10's starmenu/taskbar better because (1) I can move the taskbar to the top of the screen and (2) Win 11 doesn't hold as many program icons without scrolling as Win 10 did. So I came across this page: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/windows-11-look-like-windows-10Which recommends Start 11 for $5.99 (that won't break the bank) https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of Start 11 or can recommend anything better. In Win10 I had app icons in different groups, utilities, text, music, video, graphics, photo, and I don't really need the groups as I want more than 18 apps in the start page menu without scrolling. Seems to me Win11 took a backwards step in this particular case. Other than that, I have no problem with 11. Thanks, Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Joined: Dec 2013
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I still use the following even though it hasn't had any support updates since Win 10. Works fine and FREE! Someone picked it up development from there and it's now updated on GitHub (linked from the Classic Shell page), although I haven't looked at the versions there. Classic Shell - Start menuI did move the bottom tray from center to left like it was in Win10.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Journeyman
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Notes, there are some sites you can find the steps to restore menus etc. to the way you liked them in Windows 10. The functionality is all still there you just have to do some tweaks. I can't find the link right now, but I read an article not too long ago about getting things back to that look if you want, while still having Win 11.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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I have a memory of this same thing playing out with Windows 8? That’s when Classic Shell and Start 8 were introduced. Both worked well. With Windows 10, they were again not needed. My point is that, at least in the past, both utilities were widely used and well-regarded.
None of my three PCs can be upgraded to 11….
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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P.S. - For multiscreens..... I also needed to get a free tool to put the clock on all screens. They apparently forgot to do that in Win 11. It's called "ElevenClock" and you should be able to Google that if you are in need with multiscreens.
Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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I used to use Smart8 (for Windows 8 and 8.5), and currently use (and have used since I upgraded to Windows 10) Smart10 for Windows 10. I prefer the Windows 7 menu interface (even though Windows 10 got closer to getting back to the Windows 7 look and feel, but not quite) and I can manage my menu better with it (after installing programs, I move the menu entries into categorized folders).
I haven't upgraded to Windows 11 yet, but from what I've read on the Stardock web site, Start11 works similarly to Start10, but does have some additional Windows 11 specific features. And as pointed out, it's pretty cheap.
I have the stock Windows 10 start menu on my work computer, and I still don't like it. Call me old fashioned, but I like Windows 7 (and previous) better. It's not that I can't use the Win10 start menu, it's just I'm happier with the Windows 7-like interface I get with Start10. Unfortunately, my work computer is locked down, so I can't install Start10 on it.
I also use "Fences" from Stardock. It gives you a lot of control over what you see on your desktop. Pretty nifty app.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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I also use this on Windows 11, but for the most part I simply use Windows 98 SE.
I work here
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Apprentice
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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