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How to get to Home screen to enable Start/Menu?

Virginia Carson 25 Reputation points
2026-04-28T22:52:48.3833333+00:00

When I turn on my computer I am immediately taken to the internet browser instead of to my 'Home" page with the Start menu and icons for my programs. If I click out of the internet I get a blank black screen. How do I fix that?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures
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Answer accepted by question author

John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-04-28T23:38:52.8733333+00:00

Hi, good day!

Sounds like something’s blocking Windows from loading properly, especially if you’re just seeing a browser and a black screen after closing it. Let’s get that sorted.

  • When was the last time it worked properly?
  • Have you made any changes to your computer recently?
  • Are you using a hybrid tablet-PC?
  • Have you tried the AI suggested solutions?

Please try to check the “Shell” setting. Sometimes malware or misconfig changes this.

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  • Select File then click Run new task
  • Type regedit
  • Tick "Create this task with administrative privileges" option then press OK
  • Navigate to the path below HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  • Find Shell on the right > it should be explorer.exe If it shows a browser or something else, change it to explorer.exe

I look forward to your update and am happy to continue working with you until the issue is resolved. If you find the answer helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and consider upvoting it. Otherwise, please keep me posted by clicking "Add comment" below instead of selecting Yes or No.

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  1. John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-28T23:39:33.33+00:00

    Hi, good day!

    Sounds like something’s blocking Windows from loading properly, especially if you’re just seeing a browser and a black screen after closing it. Let’s get that sorted.

    • When was the last time it worked properly?
    • Have you made any changes to your computer recently?
    • Are you using a hybrid tablet-PC?
    • Have you tried the AI suggested solutions?

    Please try to check the “Shell” setting. Sometimes malware or misconfig changes this.

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
    • Select File then click Run new task
    • Type regedit
    • Tick "Create this task with administrative privileges" option then press OK
    • Navigate to the path below HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • Find Shell on the right > it should be explorer.exe If it shows a browser or something else, change it to explorer.exe

    I look forward to your update and am happy to continue working with you until the issue is resolved. If you find the answer helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and consider upvoting it. Otherwise, please keep me posted by clicking "Add comment" below instead of selecting Yes or No.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-28T22:52:57.81+00:00

    Use these steps to get out of the black/blank screen and back to the normal Windows desktop with Start menu:

    1. Try to wake or switch the display
      • Press Windows logo key + P, then tap P once and press Enter.
      • Wait a few seconds to see if the desktop appears. This cycles through display modes (PC screen only, duplicate, extend) in case Windows is sending the picture to a non‑existent display.
    2. Reset the graphics driver
      • Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B.
      • The screen should flicker and you may hear a beep. If the issue was with the display driver, the desktop should return.
    3. Use Ctrl + Alt + Del
      • Press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
      • If the blue security/options screen appears, select Task Manager.
      • In Task Manager, if File Explorer or Windows Explorer is not responding, right‑click it and choose Restart. This often brings back the taskbar and Start menu.
    4. Force a restart
      • If the screen stays black and none of the above works, press and hold the power button for about 20 seconds until the PC turns off.
      • Turn it back on and check whether Windows now shows the normal desktop instead of going straight to the browser.

    If the browser still opens automatically after restart, close it, then use Ctrl + Alt + Del → Task Manager → Startup tab and disable any browser entries so it does not auto‑launch at sign‑in.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.

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