It is important not to confuse the StartIsBack app icon with the , which also features a large sad face :( .
The most direct solution is to purchase a license key or enter your existing one. You can find your activation status by right-clicking the Start button, selecting , and navigating to the About tab. 2. Uninstall and Reinstall
Reinstall and see if the trial resets or the activation sticks. 3. Disable the App for Specific Profiles
Only appears on the Start button or menu icons; Windows remains fully functional.
Download the latest version from the official StartIsBack website .
StartIsBack and StartAllBack are popular tools used to restore classic Start menu and taskbar functionality on Windows 10 and 11. When you see a sad face on your Start button or within your program list, it typically means: The 30-day free trial period has ended.
If you believe the error is a glitch, a clean reinstall can often clear the "sad face" state: Open the or Settings > Apps . Find StartIsBack (or StartAllBack) and click Uninstall .
Blue Screen (BSOD) Errors and Stop Code Issues in Windows | Dell US
To remove the frowny icons and restore your desktop's appearance, follow these steps: 1. Activate or Renew Your License
Sometimes, expired trial data persists in the registry even after uninstallation. Advanced users can check for leftover keys under: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\StartIsBack Note: Editing the registry can be risky; always back up your registry before making changes. Distinguishing from Windows "Sad Face" (BSOD)