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My PC got the Fall update last night. Everything seemed fine at the time. However, when I rebooted into Windows (I dual-boot with another OS) this morning, I was unable to open a "Settings" window or to access the Start Menu. I tried every way to access "Settings" I could find online, but was unable to open it, even when trying to do so through Powershell.
I read here and there that creating a new account can be a workaround for a dead Start Menu, but since I'm unable to open "Settings," I'm unable to try that fix.
Is there a simpler fix than reinstalling Windows altogether?
Thanks in advance.
Edit: Whenever I restart the computer through Task Manager (the only way I've been able to do a "standard" reboot), I get the message about applications preventing reboot. In this case, it says something to the effect of (the spacing may be off) "Task Host is stopping background tasks (\Microsoft\Windows\Plug and Play\Device Install Reboot Required)." I have to click on "Restart anyway" to go through with the restart.
After restarting, the problem persists. However, if I hit the "reset" button on my tower while Windows is running and go through the restart process that way, I'm able to access the Start Menu and "Settings." If I try to restart normally after that, I'm right back where I started with the same problem.
Moved from: (Windows / Windows 10 / Windows settings)
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.
Answer accepted by question author
If you want to be able to use your system when it's stuck, just Cntrl-Alt-Del, and sign out. It will stick at the Task Host problem, but when you continue anyway and sign back in everything will be working.
Note: you have to sign out, not restart. You can sign back into the same account.
After hours of searching and trying, Finally I GOT IT
I found a solution that fixed the issue for me and I think it should work for you and all who suffer from the problem.
It is very easy.
Just by these steps :
1- Right click on start menu and click on Run. "For those who the start menu does not respond with right click, right click on taskbar - click on Task Manager - from File menu on the left upper corner select Run new task".
2-White the command regedit and click Enter.
3- Go to path [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WpnUserService].
4-Double click on Start from the right side.
5-Change the value data to 4 then OK.
6-Reboot.
That's it.
Or just download the attached registry file and run it.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AZJPia-kpxz_t2DrBKYY6xwMs5D-f9Ft
I hope it works for all until Microsoft fix it by an update.
I have this problem on a machine with freshly installed Windows 10 Pro. After several days of fighting the problem, I fresh installed W10 yet AGAIN with the same problem.
Given that the error message has to do with plug and play device installation, I started uninstalling devices still to no avail.
The other thing that was also happening (but doesn't seem to now) is there was a very long delay when clicking a hyperlink in Outlook desktop app- usually almost two minutes.
Right now, when I first boot, I can't click on the Start Menu or Cortana buttons. I have to CTL-ALT-DEL and select Sign Out. After logging back in, everything seems to be fine.
Try Ayman's trick above. While it didn't work for 100% of people who tried it (assuming that the other guy actually tried it before coming in with his foaming-at-the-mouth accusations), it worked for me and for some others as well.
After hours of searching and trying, Finally I GOT IT
I found a solution that fixed the issue for me and I think it should work for you and all who suffer from the problem.
It is very easy.
Just by these steps :
1- Right click on start menu and click on Run. "For those who the start menu does not respond with right click, right click on taskbar - click on Task Manager - from File menu on the left upper corner select Run new task".
2-White the command regedit and click Enter.
3- Go to path [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WpnUserService].
4-Double click on Start from the right side.
5-Change the value data to 4 then OK.
6-Reboot.
That's it.
Or just download the attached registry file and run it.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AZJPia-kpxz_t2DrBKYY6xwMs5D-f9Ft
I hope it works for all until Microsoft fix it by an update.
Has this worked for anyone else?
Everyone should comment on and upvote the feedback in Feedback Hub: https://aka.ms/Rb729q
