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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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!

Was this answer helpful?

500+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

320 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-06-01T23:21:46+00:00

    OK, I was so frustrated that I couldn't get the ease of use I needed that I set up file folders with short cuts to my music, graphics and video editing software. It made it palatable but things got worse. Right clicking on program icons on the toolbar stopped working, the action center stopped working and I got to the point that I just wanted to scream. Setting up another user ID just was something I felt was the not really solving the problem so I bit the proverbial bullet and downloaded The MS Media Creation tool Ran it and created an ISO file so I would have an install DVD. I did the install on top of the current version I was running. It took approximately an hour and a half. REMEMBER IF YOU DO THIS TO PRESERVE YOUR PROGRAMS AND FILES.!!

    I am now up and running and everything seems to be working fine. I had one problem with Skype but it seemed to clear up on it's own. 

    I highly recommend this method. I wasted my time with many other proposed solutions and none of them worked for me. Perhaps it's because I have a lot of heavy duty third party software but that is just a supposition on my part.  We will see now just how long this fix works....

    I still feel that Microsoft need to come up with a fix for this but since I got this O/S for free, I guess I got what I paid for....

    I am expecting that at some point after we are all forced onto W10, MS will start charging monthly subscription fees....  That is when I will no longer be a Microsoft guy...

    Good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-06T04:11:19+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!

    not helpful still not working home start and volume button

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-06-08T10:10:03+00:00

    Hi,

    If issue still persists I would suggest you to create new user account as an administrator and then check the status.

    Create a user account

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7

    Do keep us updated.

    Regards,

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments