Hello all, for the rest of us please post download link so we can enjoy this great software as I hae not received a email or can't get it registered.

Thank you
Christopher

Registration worked this morning!

Before today (Friday, January 30), my daily attempts to register this product always failed. Today, to my surprise, it worked! Thanks to developer for ongoing efforts to correct registration issues reported by so many GAOTD users.

Details: Windows 8.1 Pro
Clicked on Options icon (lower right hand corner) of free version.
Selected add features and made sure that the GAOTD Registration Key (from Readme file in download) was loaded
After submitting, received onscreen message saying that product was now registered.

I didn't get one of these nice emails.
How do I get one?
(and thanks for the effort)

I received email from Developer this AM with link to setup that doesn't require registration. The only limitation is that there are no updates and don't think you can re-install.

It's January 27 and still can not activate. We are still without any official word/update from GOTD or the developer other than "There is a server overload. The developer is working hard on the registration problem."

GOTD/Developer, Please... let us know something, an update, anything. I don't believe this is to much to ask for.

P.S. Downloading the trial from developer's website, as suggested in the GOTD forum, that does not activate either.

Still can't activate the program. I installed the free version on Saturday, since that's the only one I could get to work. Are we just out of luck with this one, or will we be able to activate it sometime this week? Is there a different activation code that will work? Help!! I really want this software (but I'm having second thoughts about that now....).

I tried the registration key on the free version, but all I got was different error messages, such as "the Start Menu X key has become obsolete" and "Bad code! Please check mistypes and invisible spaces." I had copied and pasted the code, and there was not so much as an extra space at the end of the digits. Even writing to the developer at the support e-mail address given (supportbox@ordinarysoft.com) yields no help at all - I wrote 24 hours ago and still no response whatsoever. Seems like we have all just wasted a lot of time on this particular giveaway.

GOTD personnel.

Developer had a problem with his registration software and decided to keep the registration open for 5 more days, see comment above.
Unfortunately, GOTD software will not permit the installation software to run after the day after the offer.

Would you try again?

Well, Just tried to install again.

Now I get the pop up that says: "Giveaway period for this software is over, please check our web-site for a new giveaway."

I downloaded this yesterday and it wouldn't activate but I understood that there would be a five day extension?

It looks like it's still unable to activate at this time, I will give it another day or so, but that's it. After that i am sorry, i think i will give Classic Shell a try, it seems to be highly recommended. But i also feel kinda bad for the developer. This wasn't his fault.

I would like to install this program on my Win 8 machine, with quad-core AMD A4-5000 processor. For whatever reason it wouldn't install last night. I did a re-download and reinstall but again the install failed to complete. Something along the lines of "(a folder) cannot be created". I saw the "the registration period will last for another 5 days" message and figured I would try again today. I just tried again, but this time I got the "Giveaway over" message. :( Can GOTD do something to correct this? I really would like to install this program as I really dislike native Win 8. (I just updated to 8.1. No idea if that could have caused the problem.

I’M SORRY FOR YOUR INCONVENIENCE.

THE ACTIVATION SERVER IS OVERLOADED. If you have problems with activations please try again tomorrow. We extend activation period for 5 days.????????

is it possible to create a "recently used documents" button like in classic shell ?

I already purchased 3 copies when this was last available and it has worked great overall. Sometimes, it would exit on its own but that hasn't happened in months. I do recommend it.

Something else to be addressed:

When I start any program which accesses the internet, such as Firefox, my firewall no longer recognizes that program, instead giving me a notice that Start Menu X is trying to access the internet. Naturally I blocked that ...and Firefox couldn't connect then. Had to reauthorize Firefox and Thunderbird and several other programs in my firewall.

I have been using this start menu from Ordinarysoft for a long time, and I can't live without it. Very nice program, allowing to have a lot of programs in start menu, with different sizes at your choice, and with a lateral scroll bar in case you need more space. I recommend it 100%

OK GOTD: The OrdinarySoft rep stated that registration will be extended for five days. Unfortunately, the GOTD wrapper only allows us to install the program on the day it is offered. Since only the 'Free' version install works, how do we upgrade to the Pro version once the OrdinarySoft registration servers come online again?

I have used Start Menu X ever since I got Win 8, (other than the registration errors today) & I have just installed it over Win 10 (even though Win 10 has backtracked a little & included a "Start Button" of old - just like Win XP etc. PLUS a section like Win 8.1 SO EVERYBODY WINS!). I like the GUI for this giveaway & I am diligently trying different options under the beta ver of Win & hopefully it will lead to a GREAT product for now & the future (to me it is already GREAT - but this is meant for everybody else). Thank you sincerely for today's giveaway - to GOTD & Start Menu X. (This reminds me of the battle for desktops between Norton (Norton's Desktop for Windows 2) & Microsoft (Microsoft's Windows 95 beta version), let's hope the right people win. (US!!!)

I used this product years ago. It really is that good. It's extremely customizable. That said, I now use ClassicShell after I lost the program after switching computers. ClassicShell does most of I need with a little less overhead. With this offer I'm going back to Start Menu X.

This is a question, rather than a comment. If I install this on my WinXP computer & later get a new computer, will I be able to reinstall Start Menu X Pro or do I lose all my GiveAwayOfTheDay applications?
Thanks to anyone who responds!

I am using Stardock Start8 program for the menu to replace my Windows 8 crappy / loss of menu. I love it. Very stable and reliable. Anyone out there who has used both this MenuX as well as Start8 and can offer a comparison ?

I'm running Windows 7 64bit. I tried 5 times to install this software but it would never register. I gave up on it. I use Object Dock anyway and I've been organizing my START menu since Windows 3.1. Had the program installed, I may have kept it but I would have had to judge it by the resources it used.

Start Menu X Pro - why "Pro"? As an IT-professional I have to work with the laptops and PCs of clients and I must be able to work with the original Windows tools, so I don't use Start menu replacements on my laptops and PCs with Win 8.1. And BTW nobody needs a replacement because the Microsoft solution in Windows 8.1 is perfect after getting used to it. Even people with a slow brain can handle it as I see in my daily work.

click the pro version that stated free instead of the one that had the registration key. It'll down load and then the same registration will pop up. It was kind of confusion at first but it did work.

I'm having the same problem with activation. Windows 8.0 Must be a problem on their server. Their free version is the only option that works.

Dear GOTD users,

the developer is aware of the registration problem.

This may be due to the high server load.

Please try to register the program a little later.

Sorry for the inconvenience

GOTD project team

A little smarter and much fancier - a must have for all those addicted to the Start menu. There are really good screencaps and tutorials/presentations on the developer's homepage for all those interested (OK, at least one I watched...) And the developer is interacting with us, so it's a thombs up from my behalf.
But still, it's a Start menu, a thing I almost never use. I already have my programs organized in folders, and I use it mostly when I want to add a new program to my favorite fast launcher, called... Fast Launcher. (http://www.dvasoft.com/fast_launcher/) It's intuitive, customizable, and did I mention free?...

Regarding StartMenu X, cannot activate on either laptop or pc running 8.1. Disabled anti virus as well as firewall. Problem with trying to use key to activate as well as just 30 day trial. Was interested. Hope it gets fixed..

I'm having the same problem with the activation. Using windows 8.1. It won't activate with the pro key, or the 30 day free trial regardless of firewall enabled or disabled.

Hello. The same failure is happening on my end. The installation fails as others have previously reported. It appears to be due to some timeout problem (perhaps too much traffic) and not a firewall issue at all.

I tried the installation again 1 hour later and the same thing happened.

Also, though I was forced to abandon ('cancel') the installation half-way into the process several times, each time the GOTD still reported a successful ACTIVATION by opening the web browser to its page
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/start-menu-x-pro-5-3/?activate

Tried over and over to install it. But when I get to the box to enter the activation code, a Setup box opens which states "Please check your internet connection and try again (or check firewall). (if you have problems, please contact to support supportbox@ordinarysoft.com." I tried turning off the firewall, and reentering the activation code, but still nothing. The Setup box pops up again. No matter what I have tried, I have not been able to get past entering the activation code step.

I should add that I have Win8.1 Pro 64 and just the included firewall.

hi john (comment 23) and Frederic (comment 25). i am also on Win7 64bit and this is exactly the problem i described in comment 21. hopefully GAOTD or the developer will be able to advise us of a solution. i tried turning the antivirus and firewall off with no luck.

Hello; installed on Win 7 x64 and the activation does'nt work.
I have disabled the firewall but no activation again.
I have installed the free version but the serial didn't worked again.
Did i missed something ?
Frédéric.

Like other reviewers, I am a big fan of Start Menu X - it is literally the first program I load when setting up a new computer. And having just setup a new (netbook) computer, I welcome the opportunity to get the Pro version (upgrading from the free version).

The biggest advantage to the Pro version is being able to start each program that is loaded onto the computer listed alphabetically, whether the program is a standalone entry or is part of a group (folder). This allows me to see every program I have loaded on a single screen when I click the start menu - no more hunting for programs or seeing folders launch when I click on a folder name.

The second advantage is the tech support - the author of the program is a big help when reporting or having a problem with the program. The third advantage - it works on Windows 10 Technical Preview - just can't do a computer without my Start Menu program! Get this Start Menu replacement program while you can!

Regards,
BearPup

I use this piece of software since a couple of years for W7 & W8. It's just great and I can only recommend it, especially if you use W7/8.

hi, i'm trying to install this program as i know its worth. however when it tries to authourise the key it seems to be timing out and asks me to check my inet connection. anyone else seeing this? - any ideas?

kindest regards to all.

At last what I was looking for during the past 2 decades. Excellent applet really. This along with StabLauncher (free) is the perfect combination for me. I have deactivated ClassicShell for a while.
Thank You Very Much!

This has been my fave start menu for a couple of years - in Free version and Pro as well, of course. However, I dont set it to start with Windows, because it demands quite a bit of resourses. I activate it, when I need a full view over my installations - by double clicking the start menu icon. Thanks a lot for generous renewal of licence to OrdinarySoft.....and of course the team behind GAOTD.

I have been using the free version of this program for several years. It is Version 5.25 64 bit. Never had a problem, and I liked it compared to the way Windows 7 start menu looked like. I was going to download the newer freeware version 5.30, but if there is a pro version, I might as well give it a spin, so to speak.

FREE ALTERNATIVE : http://www.handystartmenu.com/

reliable program from ChemTable, using it for over an year now.

Thanks GAOTD

After scratching my head and RTFM for a few minutes I couldn't find how to add shortcuts to a group. To add to my perplexity, in group management there are some folders not found in "Program Files" or elsewhere. The "Edit group" should be renamed "Rename group" because it is what it does, not editing as anyone would expect.

I'll stick to "Classic Shell Menu" for this kind of tool.

Its a keeper !

Just what I was looking for :)

Be sure to watch their video at the website program takes you to after installing, shows how to use it the best/right/easy way.

Thank you Karl for you comments -by the way always very helpful- I have used this program for some time now and am very pleased with it. Only used on Windows 7 home premium, so cannot comment on other Windows setups. I would recommend trying it out.

Installed W8.1 64 No problems; used GAOTD code. I found significant improvement in load time at startup and for program loads. I then purchased and registered for updates - $6.00. I will install on 3 other Windows machines today. A keeper.

Recommended.

ever heard of Classic Start Menu? it's freeware

Installed and registered without any problems over an earlier install of the program.

Even in XP the start menu is a pain to try to control, this program takes a lot of the pain away.
It can be stopped and started without leaving behind any problems to the normal start menu, sorry that should be, even more problems!

A good program to have with a fairly new install, less useful to people like myself who have not allowed programs to put links into the start menu.

Not really sure if there are any improvements over the last time it was offered, even if there are not it is still well worth downloading.

Was fortunate enough for this to be offered just after installing a hard drive with Win 7 on my machine just in case I lost my much loved XP. This has the advantage that I can use the start menu in the knowledge that will not become the unwieldy monstrosity that it is normally.
Well worth a download in my opinion.

An EXCELLENT program! Have been using it since Windows 8 came out. Works great, never lets me down!

Installed and registered with no trouble on Win 7 Home Premium. I first watched the video from the website (http://www.startmenux.com/checkupdates.php?run=firsttime&ver=5.30gotd) and was really impressed. I just installed it so haven't had too much time to customize it but "right out of the box" it is already much easier to see where things are. I am sure this is going to save me a lot of time. I'm used to my Mac and color coding folders and files, which I haven't been able to do with a PC (folders, yes but not files) so this will be a huge help. Thanks for such a cool app!!

Installed and registered without any trouble on my Win 7 64bit system.

I'm not getting excited often, but THIS is the kind of program I come here for! One that takes my own tweaks regarding the most basic Windows setup functions and raises them to the next level. It even offers additional features I hadn't considered before and (important!) integrates well into my layout.

The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is the primary program feature ("Assign a primary program to any folder and start it simply by clicking this folder"), because if you have a folder full of useless stuff, with only one program that should start when you click the folder then why wouldn't you set up this part of the start menu in a way that removes the useless stuff entirely?
But only because I don't see the benefit of this particular feature doesn't mean it's not useful for other people, of course.

Here's a link to a tutorial that shows you how to add the classic menu to Windows 7:
http://www.unawave.de/windows-7/win7-classic-menu.html?lang=EN

This is what I used so far and was happy with, as I consider the original Win 7 start menu messy and not intuitive at all (Win 8 is even worse in that respect!). But I guess I'm switching now as Start Menu X offers a lot more than the bare necessities.
Thank you very much for this one, I'm really looking forward to playing with it until my start menu looks and works exactly the way I want it to!