My Start Menu WON'T Open!!!

Anonymous
2009-09-11T20:01:37+00:00

Hi!

My Start Menu Icon in the bottom left corner of the scree WON'T open AT ALL. I can right-click on it and get the typical "right-click menu" but that's it. The only way that I can switch users or shut down/restart the computer is to use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The only way to open MS Word/Excel/PPT (or anything for that matter; not just MS programs) is to open an already existing document that happens to have a shortcut on the desktop, and then open a NEW document or whatever from there.

I heard from an IT person that a couple weeks ago, MS had released an update and that it was pretty bad. Could this be the problem? I'm running Windows Vista, it's a 64-bit computer (if that helps at all), and I'm not sure exactly when this started, but I know it's recent. Maybe w/i past 2 weeks to give a good time span with some flexibility. August 31 for sure, because I remember my husband tried to do a system restore, and there were no restore points prior to that date. We also tried Sept 1 & 2, but each time, there were no prior restore points for that specific date.

I understand that this could be caused a just about anything under the sun, but if someone knows how to fix this, GREAT!!! Right NOW though, I'd be completely happy with just knowing how to put the shortcuts for Word & Excel or even MS Office all together (it that's possible) onto my desktop so that i can do a few things before we just do a whole system recovery. Since I can't open the start menu, I can't just "click & drag" them onto the desktop, or access the control panel, or anything else through that option.

Someone PLEASE help me with this! Atleast with the shortcuts!!

Thank You!!!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2009-09-12T16:19:01+00:00

Hi Lotus Everlearning,

Welcome to Microsoft Vista answers Forum!

I have few steps here that might fix the issue.

Step 1:

The taskbar might be hidden, try pressing CTRL+ESC. If your taskbar then reappears you may have “Auto-hide the taskbar” checked which will cause it to shrink down out of view until you put your mouse cursor towards the bottom of the screen. If this is the case, then you can either put your mouse cursor toward the bottom of the screen to pull of your taskbar, or press CTRL+ESC to pull it up, and from there do the following:

1.       Right-Click an empty section on the taskbar and click Properties

2.       In the first section that appears under the tab “Taskbar” uncheck “Auto-hide the taskbar” if you don’t want that feature enabled.

3.       Click OK

If CTRL+ESC doesn’t bring your taskbar up, then the program that displays the taskbar could very well not be running. To fix this do the following:

1.       Press CTRL+ALT+DEL

2.       You should be turned over to a window with options one of which is “Start Task Manager” as the last listing. Click “Start Task Manager”.

3.       Now you should have a window called “Windows Task Manager”.

4.       From there click “File” in the menu bar, and then click “New Task (Run…)”

5.       In the next window that appears type “explorer”****where is says “Open:”, then press OK.

6.       You taskbar should be back now.

Additional information:**** Find the taskbar: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/47f5888e-6333-414c-8a49-d5568af6e4bd1033.mspx

If the issue is not resolved, go to step 2 to boot the computer in safe mode.

Step 2:

I suggest that you boot the computer in safe mode with networking and check if you are able to connect to the internet without any issues, safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode with networking:

1.     Restart your computer if it is powered on.

2.     Tap the F8 key after your computer initially powers on.

3.     Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu you can stop tapping.

4.     Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.

5.     Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

6.     You should see drivers loading, and then please wait.

7.     You should then be at the Welcome Screen.

8.     Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

Additional information**:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/323ef48f-7b93-4079-a48a-5c58eec904a11033.mspx**

****Now see if the Start menu bar appears on the computer, if it appears go to step 3 to perform a clean boot on the computer.

Step 3:

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows Vista by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

Steps to perform clean boot and check if you have the issue.

  1. Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

User Account Control permission

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

  1. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
  2. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
  3. Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
  4. Click OK.
  5. When you are prompted, click Restart.
  6. After the computer starts, check whether the problem is resolved.

If the issue is resolved check which third party is causing the problem, referring the link given below: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: Ensure to put the computer to normal state by following Step 7 in the above link

You may refer the link to create shortcuts for the programs on the desktop: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/52f853fe-de4d-4924-bfc0-0373fcf862391033.mspx

Hope this information is helpful.

Let me know if this worked.

All the best! 

Thanks and Regards:

Swathi B  - Microsoft Support.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-14T03:52:29+00:00

    This can't be 100% accurate as my taskbar was not hidden...

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-14T11:57:43+00:00

    Does upgrading to the Pro version of Windows 10 help?

    If so, would I need to reinstall my applications?

    I don't have any help for anyone else since I have the same problem: Cortana and Start button non-functional.

    I really don't understand why Microsoft is ignoring this problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-07T08:13:07+00:00

    Good morning Lotus,

    I am having this exact issue!! I just bought this laptop brand new! It is an ACER Aspire switch 10 E. It was obviously already installed with Windows 10 when I pulled it out of the box today and powered it on. So I didn't have to do any upgrade/update or anything & I'm still having this issue. It is driving me crazy and I was about to take it back and return it tomorrow because this is unacceptable but it sounds to me based off of these other reviews including yours that this is obviously a Windows issue & they will have to send out a new update to correct this ridiculous error! So returning/exchanging this laptop for another Windows devise will most likely not correct this problem until Windows corrects it on their end. 

    If you have found a solution to this issue yet please share! I am currently on the hunt for a job and need to upload and edit my resume ASAP so that I can find a job and support my family. I am unable to even begin this process without having access to my start menu. I don't have time to waste sitting around trying to figure out how to open my start menu because Windows clearly screwed something up! I will keep search for answer on the internet as well & will also share my findings with you if I come across anything that might be of use.

    Thank you very much for time and any assistance you're able to provide! Lotus!

    -Tonya Cunningham

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-07T12:25:44+00:00

    Naman R.

    I tried all of your suggestions, none of these fixed mine or many others issues.

    The task bar does not seem to be the issue. My task bar is visible and operating just fine. As Lotus previously mentioned, When we "left click" on the Windows start button to access the menu it does nothing, nothing loads or pops ups. However, we are able to "right click" and get the normal options for the control panel, task manager, search , etc.

    I don't know about the others that have posted about this issue but I just purchased an ACER Aspire Switch 10 E. It already included the Windows 10 software, I didn't have to do any new updates and I haven't been able to access my Start button/Menu since I first turned on the computer.

    I don't want to bore you with my personal issues but for me this is very time sensitive as I'm sure it is for others as well. What can we do to get this issue resolved immediately so that I can avoid going back to using MacBook Apple products.

    Anything you can do or any information you can provide promptly would be much appreciated.

    Thank you!

    -Tonya Cunningham.

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