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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2016-01-19T22:23:01+00:00

    AGAIN --- after upgrading Skype today -- right back to critical error on "Start Menu" with never-ending, never-working restart loop.

    I was hobbling along on former ID having tried a multitude of suggestions of which something must have worked  ... with a new ID for backup (thank goodness).

    Today, I upgraded Skype and am back to "square one" on my old user ID  and the message about "Start Menu". Now I have to use the new user ID or go through all the 4+ suggestions on how to fix the critical error all over again and hope one works.

    As others here have mentioned,  users do not have time for this!

    Microsoft needs to FIX this problem from re-occurring once and for all.

    NOTE: This is what Microsoft Support suggests: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/get-help-windows-start-menu 

    Get help with the Windows 10 Start menu Applies to Windows 10 10" class="embedObject" src="http://res2.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/windows/main/00dd6257-6e9f-4d7f-a9f9-02f5c1e6d5f8_17.png" style="height:auto">

    Here are some things you can try if you’re having problems opening the Start menu or Cortana. Note Cortana is only available in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still usesearch. Hide all Check for updates If you can't open the Start menu or Cortana, follow these steps to check for updates. Press Windows logo key +R, enter ms-settings:, and then press OK. This opens Settings. In Settings, go to Update & security > Windows Update, and then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC if required. Sign out of your account Some problems can be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Sign out. Once you’ve signed out, sign back in to your account. Create a new local administrator account If you still can’t open the Start menu or Cortana, try creating a new local administrator account to see if you can open the Start menu using that account. Press Windows logo key +R, type ms-settings:, and then press OK. This opens Settings. Select Accounts > Your account > Family & other users (or Other users, if you’re using Windows 10 Enterprise). Under Other users, select Add someone else to this PC. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, and then select Add a user without a Microsoft account. Set a user name, password, and password hint. Then select Next > Finish. Next, make the new account an administrator account. Under Other users, choose the account you created, and then select Change account type. Under Account type, choose Administrator, and then select OK. Sign out of your account and then sign in to your new account. If you can open Cortana or the Start menu, move your personal data and files to the new account. Reset your PC If none of the previous options work, try resetting your PC using Windows 10 recovery options.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-19T23:22:03+00:00

    I thought that a Skype update started my problems, so I removed it after running  a full system restore I had on an external drive weeks ago.  Since then the latest version of Windows 10 and all the other updates occurred with out major issues. One task bar lock up was fixed by restarting.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-20T02:02:07+00:00

    I followed advice to logout and the error disappeared so Skype update triggered the error but logging out and back in fixed it. Go figure!

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