You will come across various issues while using Windows 10, which could be irritating, but almost every operating system has certain issues that every user faces at some point. One of the most common issues on Windows 10 is the Start menu not working.
When the Start menu does not work, you literally cannot do most operations, such as opening installed applications. In this article, we will illustrate all the different methods to fix the Windows Start Menu Not Working issue.
Methods to Fix the Windows Start Menu Not Working
1. Check for Win updates
Microsoft regularly comes off with Windows 10 updates. You will have to keep your system up to date and download if there are any updates. This also helps to fix if there are other issues. In most cases, there can be automatic updates. However, if, in any case, there is no automatic download, you will have to look for manual updates. You can do it in the following way.
- Launch the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and I together.
- Now you will have to go to the section Update & Security.
- There will be many options from where you will have to select Check for updates.
- If there are any updates, it will start downloading automatically.
Alternatively, you can also do it by pressing the Windows key + R together.
- In the Open box, you need to type MS – settings.
- You will land on the settings page, and then you need to go to Update & Security followed by Windows Update.
- Look for the updates and restart your computer after the download.
If your system is updated, the problem can be resolved, and you will be able to use the Start menu.
2. Use PowerShell to solve this issue
Another way to fix the issue will be by using PowerShell. PowerShell is a command-line interface of Windows that was launched in 2006. However, keep in mind that this will not be a permanent solution. PowerShell can fix this issue temporarily, and you will have to repeat the process from time to time. You need to follow the necessary steps.
- Right-click on the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell(Admin).
- Ensure that you run as administrator.
- Now you need to type
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
- To execute it, you will have to press Enter key.
Alternately, you can use PowerShell by
- Pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys to launch the Task Manager.
- Following this, you will have to click on the File.
- Then you will have to select Run New Task.
- Now you need to type PowerShell from where you will come across the Powershell window.
- Select “Create this task with Administrator Privileges”.
- Type the script and Press Enter key.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
In some cases, you may also receive a notice which you can ignore. To confirm if it has worked, you can restart your system.
3. Sign out of your account
When there is an anomaly with a user account, the Start menu button may not work. One of the best things about this is that you can fix this problem without any issue. All you have to do is to sign out of your account and then lock back in. You can do it in the following steps.
- On your keyboard, you will have to press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously.
- You will come on a page from where you need to hit Sign out.
- After waiting for a while, you can sign back into your system.
- Confirm if the problem persists.
4. Restart Win Explorer
Restarting the Windows Explorer can even help to resolve the issue of the Start Menu button. Again, this is a temporary solution, and you need to perform it from time to time. You can restart Windows Explorer in a simple way.
- On your keyboard, you need to press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together. This will take you to Task Manager.
- At the bottom of the page, you need to select More details. This will enable you to see everything.
- Now you will have to choose the Processes tab.
- When you scroll down a little lower, you will find the Restart option.
- Click on the Restart option and close the Task Manager.
5. Use CMD
The Command Prompt has many files. Certain Cortana files can even lead to the problem. If you happen to delete some of the files from the Command prompt, you will be able to use the Start menu button. You don’t have to worry about any changes as these are temporary files. Your system will automatically recreate them. You can use the Command Prompt by following the necessary steps.
- Press the X and Windows key buttons simultaneously.
- Now you will have to select Command Prompt from the menu list. Make sure that you run as an administrator to bring the necessary changes.
- In the Command Prompt, you will have to run the commands
CD/d “%LOCALAPPDATA%PackagesMicrosoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy”
Taskkill /F /IM SearchUI.exe
RD /S /Q Settings
- Do it one by one and execute the files. This also helps to rebuild the damaged files.
6. Modify your Registry
Another way to fix the problem of the Start menu button will be by modifying the registry. Keep in mind that it can even happen due to Dropbox. Dropbox can interfere with the processes, which may even lead to other problems. By following the necessary steps, you will be able to tackle the problem.
- Press the Windows key and R button together.
- You need to type “regedit” and press Enter.
- Now navigate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesWpnUserService in the left pane.
- You will have to double-click on the Start DWORD on the right pane.
- Change the value date to 4 and hit OK.
7. Create fresh values in Registry
The registry can be directly related to problems with the Start menu option. When you happen to create new values in the registry, you will be able to fix the issue. The graphical tool can authorize the users to make changes in the Windows registry.
- In the Taskbar, you will have to type “regedit”.
- Alternatively, you can right-click Start and select Run. Type “regedit” and click Ok.
- Now you will have to navigate the key HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced in the left pane.
- In the right pane, you will have to select the value New > DWORD (32-bit).
- Give the name of the new DWORD as EnableXamlStartMenu.
- Once you are done, you will have to close the Registry Editor.
- From the Task Manager, you need to restart Windows Explorer.
8. Enter Safe Mode
Entering in safe mode can even help to resolve the issue. You will have to note that this is not a reliable solution. However, you can surely try it. Follow the necessary steps to enter in safe mode.
- Launch the Settings app and select Update & Security,
- On the left side, you will find the option of Recovery. Choose the Recovery option.
- You will now land on another page wherein you will have to select Advanced startup and click Restart now button.
- There will be many options, where you need to select Troubleshoot followed by Advanced options and Startup Settings.
- Select the Restart button, and you will come across many options when your system restarts.
- Choose the appropriate key and go to any version of Safe Mode.
- If the problem has been resolved, you can boot back to your original account.
9. Create a fresh User Account
A corrupted User Account can even lead to a problem with the Start menu button. All you have to do is to create a new user account. By following the necessary steps, you can do it conveniently.
- You will have to launch the Settings app and select the Accounts section.
- In the left pane, you will have to navigate to Family & other people.
- Choose “Add someone else to this PC” in the right pane.
- Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” followed by “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
- Once you enter the name, you will have to click on Next.
If you are not able to resolve the issue, you will have to move the personal files to the new account.
Conclusion
You should perform all the methods patiently. Missing one step will make the method incomplete, and you will not finish the method clearly. We are sure that one of these methods will surely solve your issue as Start menu Not Working is a common problem. However, if none of them works, you have to reinstall Windows, and you should take a backup of data before reinstalling.
