Windows Start button not working

Anonymous
2010-11-11T12:49:00+00:00

The Windows start button is not working. When I press it nothing happens. SO I cannot shut down the computer in the normal manner or access any programs other than ones with desktop icons.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2015-02-14T05:42:28+00:00

Hi,

I faced a similar issue! The following worked for me

  1. Right click on the Start Button and select "Run"
  2. Type "regedit"
  3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Explorer>Advance
  4. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value, call it "EnableXamlStartMenu"
  5. Restart Explorer​ from task manager.

Hope this helps!

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Anonymous
2010-11-11T15:34:40+00:00

Hi nickthomp.

Does start menu open if you press the windows key on the keyboard?.

Can you right click the start menu orb and choose properties, if so

In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, clickOK, and then clickOK again.

Also try.

1 .   Press Ctrl + Alt+ delete on the keyboard and click on task manager.

2 .   Click on the Process tab and locate explorer.exe in the windows and click on end task.

3 .   Click on File and then click on New.

4.   Type explorer.exe and press enter.

Hope his helps.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-07T17:22:32+00:00

    I guess I was lucky. When my Windows button stopped working and I could not get in to anything, I hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete and did a restart from the Task Manager. Everything started up normal and has been working good since.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-08T06:38:58+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for the reply.

    I appreciate your patience.

    I would suggest you to enable built-in administrator account and check. Please follow these steps:

    a. Type cmd in search box, right click cmd in search results and click run as administrator.

    b. Type the following command in command prompt and press Enter.

    net user administrator /active:yes

    I hope it helps.

    Thank you

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-09T16:01:03+00:00

    I have tried ALL fixes I can find, including the extensive list suggested at bt.home.com (help for UK customers with a start menu error) such as:

    1. safemode (with a Dell Tech support agent to no avail)
    2. sfc /scannow
    3. powerhell (twice) and yes there are many red internal file errors (far too complicated for me to fix)
    4. restored Windows apps
    5. set up a new user account (that works BUT all files I need to work wth are with the other user)

    I can right-click on the Start Menu button and get options (BUT no apps) and a regular "click" leads to the critical error many of us are experiencing.

    I just tried the Windows button on the keyboard you suggested.

    All I get us back to "square one":

    Critical Error Your Start menu isn't working, We'll try to fix the next time you log in. Sign out now.

    I tried stopping and starting Explorer.

    Per the Critical Error message: "We'll try" is not good enough. According to Google, this critical error has been ongoing for over 6 months.

    What are users expected to do while Microsoft "tries" to resolve?

    ASIDE: Using a Dell XPS 2720 with Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 8.1 and have Dell Pro Support.

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