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
    2014-01-28T13:11:28+00:00

    I am having the same issue.  I have a relatively new Lenovo w530 loaded.  This has happened to me 3 times now.  If I hover over the start button, it lights up but if I click on it, nothing happens. The windows button on the keyboard doesn't work either.  If I reboot, then it is fixed and starts working again.

    This is extremely frustrating.  Is there an app causing the issue?  My computer has an external keyboard, a wireless mouse and an external monitor.  I can reboot using ctl-alt-del no problem.

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-03T03:14:48+00:00

    Every thing works on the computer. However, when you click on start nothing opens up. I have made short cuts as a work around, but this is a pain.if I try to press the windows key and escape it doesn't work. strangely f8 on the boot up doesn't work.i have not tried that in a while so I don't know if that is new.it doesn't work in my guest user profile either.i have not had one issue with my computer ever...I hate to have to reload it.

    it seems like the explorer. Exe file is corrupt if that is possible

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-03T13:50:27+00:00

    Thanks this worked to perfection!!

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