The "sad face" symbol appearing in StartIsBack (or its newer version, StartAllBack) is almost always an indicator that the software's trial period has ended. This visual cue replaces standard icons or appears in the context menu to nudge you toward purchasing a license or updating the application. Why You See the Sad Face
Expired Trial: The most common reason; the software uses these "creepy" or "sad" icons to signify you are now using an unlicensed version.
Version Mismatch: Sometimes, after a major Windows update, an older version of StartIsBack may fail to load correctly and display fallback error icons.
Pirated Versions: Users on forums like Reddit have noted that "Lite" or pre-modified versions of Windows (like Ghost Spectre) often include these tools, which trigger the sad face once their internal trial clocks expire. How to Fix It
Purchase a License: Buying a valid key from the official developer site will remove all "sad face" watermarks and restore full functionality.
Uninstall or Reinstall: If you don't want to pay, you can uninstall the program via the Control Panel. Some users attempt to "reset" the trial by reinstalling, though this is often only a temporary fix.
Switch to Alternatives: If you need a free way to customize your Start menu, consider open-source alternatives like ExplorerPatcher or Open-Shell.
Update the Software: Ensure you are running the latest version compatible with your Windows build (e.g., StartAllBack for Windows 11), as bugs can sometimes cause icon corruption. Seeing Sad Smiley in Taskbar Context Menu Everywhere
The "sad face" (usually appearing as a :( emoticon) in StartIsBack or StartAllBack is a built-in indicator that the software's trial period has expired or its activation has failed. Why the Sad Face Appears
Trial Expiration: StartIsBack and its successor, StartAllBack, are paid products. When the 30-day trial ends, the software replaces various UI elements—like the Start button or background of the Start menu—with a sad face to prompt you to purchase a license. startisback sad face
Activation Failure: If you are using a cracked version or an unauthorized "activator," the software may detect it and display the sad face as a security or anti-piracy measure.
System Updates: Major Windows updates can sometimes break the custom shells, leading to visual glitches that look like errors. How to Fix It
Purchase a License: The most reliable way to remove the face is to buy a legitimate license from the official StartIsBack website or the StartAllBack website.
Restart Windows Explorer: In some cases, a simple glitch causes the face to appear prematurely. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find "Windows Explorer," right-click it, and select Restart.
Uninstall and Reinstall: If the trial hasn't actually expired, uninstall the program using a tool like Bulk Crap Uninstaller to remove leftover registry keys, then download and install the latest version from the official site.
Check for "Superlite" OS Issues: If you are using a modified Windows version like "Ghost Spectre," these often come pre-packaged with these tools. If the trial ends on these builds, you may need to manually update or replace the software.
For a visual walkthrough on identifying and removing this UI glitch, you can watch this guide: How to fix the sad face emoji in the Windows 10 Start menu LaptopWorld - Мир Ноутбуков YouTube• Jul 9, 2019
Are you using a standard version of Windows or a custom/modified build like Ghost Spectre? StartIsBack: real start menu for Windows 8 and Windows 10
Unlike a standard Windows crash (like the Blue Screen of Death), the StartIsBack sad face is not a system-wide failure. It is a visual placeholder. When StartIsBack attempts to render your Start Menu but fails to find the necessary resources, credentials, or system hooks, it defaults to a minimalist, sad-faced icon in place of the user profile picture or the application grid. The "sad face" symbol appearing in StartIsBack (or
Users describe it in several ways:
This is StartIsBack’s polite way of saying: “I cannot access my own database or the Windows Shell. Something is broken.”
Windows maintains a hidden database of your pinned apps, frequent programs, and user tiles. If that database becomes corrupted (often due to an unclean shutdown, disk errors, or registry cleaner tools), StartIsBack cannot read it.
Once you fix it, you want to keep it fixed. Here is your maintenance checklist:
StartIsBack64.dll as a "potential hack tool." Add the StartIsBack folder to your AV whitelist.The StartIsBack sad face is frustrating but rarely permanent. In 90% of cases, clearing the tile database cache or re-entering your license key solves the problem in under two minutes. For the remaining 10%, a clean reinstall or switching to StartAllBack will bring back the functional, beautiful Start Menu you miss.
Remember: A sad face in your Start Menu does not mean your computer is dying. It just means StartIsBack is having a bad day. Follow the steps above, and you’ll have that classic Windows 7 menu smiling back at you in no time.
Have a different variation of the StartIsBack sad face? Let us know in the comments below.
You're referring to a popular customization option for Windows!
"Startisback" is a software that allows users to bring back the classic Windows Start button and menu, similar to what was available in older versions of Windows. What Exactly is the "StartIsBack Sad Face"
A "sad face" feature, also known as a " Start button changer" or " alternate Start button", would allow users to change the appearance of the Start button to a different image, in this case, a sad face.
Here's a possible feature:
Feature: Customizable Start button with "Sad Face" option
Description: With Startisback, users can now choose from a variety of Start button designs, including a sad face option. This feature allows users to personalize their Windows experience and add a touch of humor to their interface.
Possible implementation:
Potential benefits:
Possible design considerations:
Sometimes the sad face is a symptom, not the disease. Corrupt system DLLs can break StartIsBack.
sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for it to finish (15-20 minutes).DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.A simple uninstall via Control Panel often leaves registry keys behind. Do this instead:
If the sad face only appears when you hover over the Start button or when an app is fullscreen: