StartIsBack works by patching ExplorerFrame.dll and twinui.pcshell. When Microsoft pushes a silent update (via Windows Defender or Cumulative Update), it often re-verifies these files. If the hash does not match the original, Windows reverts the patch, leaving the StartIsBack service running but with no button to attach to—hence, the Sad Face placeholder.
The developer behind StartIsBack has largely moved on to StartAllBack (for Windows 11). If you are on Windows 11 and seeing a persistent sad face, you should: startisback sad face
Once you fix it, you want to keep it fixed. Here is your maintenance checklist: StartIsBack works by patching ExplorerFrame
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If you’ve just booted up your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC and noticed that your custom Start button has been replaced by a small, white Sad Face icon (or a blank square), you’re not alone. This is a known visual bug associated with the popular Start menu replacement tool, StartIsBack (or StartAllBack). The developer behind StartIsBack has largely moved on
Here is why this happens and how to fix it.