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My Windows 11 Start Button is no longer working.

Anonymous
2024-03-18T17:15:44+00:00

Hello,

Since yesterday my Windows 11 Start Button is no longer working.

It animates when I click it, but nothing else happens, also, my taskbar keeps switching on and off.

I don't know whether that is relevant or has anything to do with the problem, but two days ago I had Windows updates two days on the trot.

I have tried a number of recommended solutions, like commands in Pwoer shell, sfc /scannow, the DISM commands, updating my graphics drivcer, registry hacks, tried to re-install Windows but gave up when I saw I couldn't keep my files.

In short, none of the above have worked.

The thing is, some things I cannot do, like check my updates etc., as some Windows key commands don't work, eg. Windows + I.

Has anyone got any further advice for me, please?

Thank you very much in advance.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-05T18:01:25+00:00

    your solution suggest that I use the start--> settings --> etc. please explain how to do without start working!!

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-19T10:14:16+00:00

    Thank you very much for replying, Martin.

    However, the solutions you mention are impossible for me unless you know certain shortcuts.

    The problem is, my problem is not only restricted to the start button not working, the Windows key combinations don't work either (some still did yesterday), but Windows +I, Windows+R etc. do not work, nor can I type in the search bar.

    If you have any other ways of getting to Settings etc., please let me know.

    Thank you for your help so far.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-17T18:54:40+00:00

    We solved the issue on our virtual machines using the following workaround recommendation from Microsoft proposed by Citrix:

    Edit below registry

    Key: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\CtxUvi
    Value Name: UviProcessExcludes
    Type: REG_SZ

    • Append 'StartMenuExper' ending with semi colon (;).
    • Reboot the machine

    Source: Start menu may stop responding if KB5048685 installed on Windows 11 22H2/23H2 VDA

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-05T06:35:13+00:00

    Hi

    I faced the same problem a few days ago. I have two accounts that work fine on my laptop, but when I created a third account I had a problem with Start button. I had tried different solutions but nothing helped. In the end, I found a recommendation in Community to remove/rename C:\Users{Problem account}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows folder using a different account, so the system can re-create it properly. I tried it, Start menu problem is gone, but I had an error with opening files like jpg.

    My solution was to delete C:\Users{Problem account}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell folder using a different account. Now everything works fine.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2024-03-19T07:02:40+00:00

    Hi, Klauwaart

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    In addition to the many things you've already tried, you can try the following suggestions to see if they can help you eliminate or troubleshoot the problem:

    1. Uninstall the update: If you have recently installed Windows Update and are experiencing problems, here is how to uninstall the update to try to resolve the issue:
    • Select Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates.
    • In the list that appears, find the update you want to remove and select "Uninstall". Note: Some updates cannot be uninstalled.
    1. Restore the system: Use System restore to make restore points when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.
    2. create a new local account: Create a new account to see if the problem of unresponsive start menu clicks still occurs.

    If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Best Regards

    Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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