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 No 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 No 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 No comments

320 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-14T14:41:57+00:00

    That is exactly the same problem I'm having. I've tried the sequence described here:

    http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/has-your-windows-10-start-menu-stopped-working-here-are-four-ways-to-fix-it-11364000314532

    Although the "Critical error" message disapeared, the start menu isn't working. The only thing that solved it was the creation of a new user (the last of the 4 steps described). But then, you have to "transfer" all the settings and definitions for that new account.

    Hope this helps you in solving it.

    My problem is almost identical, except when I hit the start button I get an error message that states "Critical Error   Your start menu isn't working. We'll try to fix it the next time you sign in"   It has been a week now and many restarts, shutdown and restarts later still no resolution.    Apparently whatever caused this to happen has also shut down my ability to check for updates, see new notifications, etc.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-05T12:18:43+00:00

    My problem is almost identical, except when I hit the start button I get an error message that states "Critical Error   Your start menu isn't working. We'll try to fix it the next time you sign in"   It has been a week now and many restarts, shutdown and restarts later still no resolution.    Apparently whatever caused this to happen has also shut down my ability to check for updates, see new notifications, etc.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-04T16:45:50+00:00

    Now that I had thought I had solved the problem (it didn´t occur in the last 2 weeks time), it happened again. It's the fourth time it does (or so I think as I'm losing count on the number of times this has happened.

    I've done the sequence reccomended, but the only thing which seems to work is changing the user. Now, logging in with the new user, I have access to the start menu and all functionalities. 

    What should I do to "transfer" to this new user all my documents, apps and settings?

    Thank you in advance

    Thank you.

    Answering your question: no, I'm not using a registry cleaner.

    After reverting to 8.1 and reinstalling afterwards the 10, it is working well (but that doesn't mean it won't repeat in a few days, because that is what happened in the past!).

    We'll see.

    Best regards,

    Rui

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments