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Windows Start Menu not opening and neither is settings *solved*

Anonymous
2022-05-07T10:19:58+00:00

I've been trying to open my start menu but it wont open,. I also can't open settings, ive tried using task manager to open it by running a new task but it just says it can't find it. I've tried the powershell command but it ends up saying " The deployment operation was blocked because Special profile deployment is not allowed. Please try logging into an account that is not a Special profile." However, when i look up ways to sort this out it tells me to open settings or other things I can't open because I cant open the start menu.

*edit: I managed to sort it out by resetting the laptop. You wont have to open settings or the start menu to do this, also there are options to keep your files on your device before you reset so you wont lose anything unless you choose to delete them.

This is what I did:

  1. hold down the windows button + R and type in cmd, once you've done that a window called "command prompt" should open. It doesn't actually say command prompt on it but that's what it's called.
  2. in the window type/copy-paste this in and press enter: systemreset --factoryreset

After you've done that you will then have to go through the standard reset computer options. Pick whichever option is best suited to you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. John DeV 162K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-05-07T10:53:38+00:00

    Hello Amelia_St,

    Good day! I'm John Dev a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you. When was the last time it worked properly? What is your current Windows operating system and version?

    Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager then click File

    Select "Run new task" then type: winver

    Please try the following methods below.

    **Restart Windows Explorer

    Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

    Select the Processes tab.

    Scroll down and look for Windows Explorer

    Right click then select Restart.

    **Please try to run SFC and DISM to check for any system errors and corrupted files.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402652...

    After that, restart your computer

    Note: You can open command prompt by doing this,

    Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager then click File

    Select "Run new task" then type: cmd

    Make sure to put a check mark on the "Create this task with administrative privileges" box

    Continue with the commands within the link above.

    **Please try creating a new local administrator account.

    Press WIN+R to open Run then type: cmd

    Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to Run as administrator

    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    net user USER_NAME PASSWORD /add

    In the above command make sure to change USER_NAME and PASSWORD with the credentials you want to use for the new user account.

    For example: net user John 1234 /add

    After that, Please type the following command to add the newly created account to the Administrators group and press Enter:

    net localgroup administrators USER_ACCOUNT /add

    For example: net localgroup administrators John /add

    Sign out then login to the new administrator account

    Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

    50+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2022-05-09T13:00:35+00:00

    Hi,

    I have a similar problem on 3 PCs. Unable to open start, cannot open settings, cannot open any photo. Windows 10 - 21H1. On another profile, however, it is possible on the primary, which is also the administrator.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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