Ok, I finally figured out what is happening.
The top palette you see is a manufacturers palette (no button[...] and layer numbers always on)
The lower palette is the SHOP palette.
You need to use View > Palettes > show Shop Palette
You should then see a palette at the bottom with the button[...], click the button, choose Load > Set Default, choose the palette you want as default, click Save.
Now use File > New to load Signlab with your new default palette.
As Frank said before to switch the layer number off click [...] and choose "Show Layer Numbers".