Interestingly, the frequency of "StartIsBack sad face" searches has spiked in 2024-2025. Why? Because Microsoft has been aggressively updating the Windows 11 shell with AI features (Copilot, Recall).
Other utilities that modify Explorer or the taskbar will cause a conflict. Common offenders include:
Before you fix the problem, you need to diagnose the cause. Here are the most common reasons users see the StartIsBack sad face.
If you are a power user who despises the tile-based, touch-centric interface of Windows 8, Windows 10, or even early Windows 11, you have likely installed (or its successor, StartAllBack). For nearly a decade, this utility has been the gold standard for restoring the classic Windows 7 Start Menu.
Occasionally, even licensed versions may show this icon if the software fails to verify the license key or cannot load specific graphical assets due to file corruption. Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the Sad Face 1. Check Your License Status If your trial has ended, the icon is working as intended.
Installing the latest version over your current one often resolves compatibility-related "sad faces". 3. Restart Windows Explorer
Measure your chest (A) and hips (B) following our indications.
The reference measurement will always be the larger of the two (A or B).
Look in the chart to which size corresponds to that measurement.
| Size | Reference measurements | |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | Centimeters | |
| 2XS | 25.6 – 29.4 | 65 – 74 |
| XS | 29.5 – 32.6 | 75 – 82 |
| S | 32.7 – 36.1 | 83 – 91 |
| M | 36.2 – 39.7 | 92 – 100 |
| L | 39.8 – 42.8 | 101 – 108 |
| XL | 42.9 – 46.3 | 109 – 117 |
| 2XL | 46.4 – 49.9 | 118 – 126 |
| 3XL | 50 – 53 | 127 – 134 |
| 4XL | 53.1 – 55.9 | 135 – 142 |