Windows Start button not working

this is only a temporary solution

I totally agree!

Like you, I have tried ALL of those 'fixes' without success!

I also have spent 2 hours online with MS Support and they could not fix the problem! The best they could do was create a new user account without ANY of my software, apps, settings etc, (which I had already done myself), but I NEED the original account with all of my stuff on to work - MS said I could just copy my user files - won't let me - & re-install all of my software from discs - which I told them was NOT an option - I do not have discs of most plus, most importantly, I use a large number of music & MIDI software for vintage gear that is all set up & synched to my gear & reloading - IF I could find downloads of the software, which is unlikely in some cases - would lose all of my programs, patches, sounds etc & would have to spend MONTHS trying to set everything up again & accept that some of my hard work is lost forever..... NOT acceptable!

I also have a 'new' account that does not have the Start Button/Modern Apps running not working problem but, same as you, all of the software, programs, files, apps I want to use are stuck on my original faulty account so the 'new' account is useless to me! (I've tried 'sharing' all of my programs/files/folders etc with the new account but it just gives an error message - yes, both accounts are Admin).

It seems MS just expect everyone affected to spend ridiculous amounts of time reloading all of their software & settings to a new account when REALLY what EVERYONE just wants is for them to FIX the damn problem with the corrupted accounts because of the FAULTY code in Windows 10!!!!! WHY won't MS sort this problem instead of expecting users to sort it themselves; they just don't care!!!!!

I would recommend ANYONE who has not updated to Windows 10 to NOT do so! Stick with your stable & reliable Windows 7 and, even though it's sucky, Windows 8.1 because 10 is RIDDLED with problems that Microsoft either CANNOT or will not FIX!!!!!

A Tech friend of mine did warn me that Windows 10 was not stable; sadly it was a few weeks after I upgraded my laptop so I could not roll back!

AVOID Windows 10 at ALL COSTS is my advice which I am sharing with all my friends & family maybe if everyone who has these problems shares their terrible experience MS will be forced to DO SOMETHING!!!!! But I shall not hold my breathe!

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.