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Can't open right-click context menus on taskbar icons, can't open main start menu, can't open Windows Security/Settings/System

Anonymous
2024-11-13T00:22:52+00:00

I recently found I couldn't close a game app by right-clicking it's icon in the taskbar to open the menu to close it, nothing happens when I right-click on any icon there.

I also noticed the icon for Blender I had in the task bar has stopped working like the app is no longer there. I note that I installed it off of the Windows app store, in case there's a connection. Other apps on the task bar launch when clicked, I just don't get the context menu from right clicking them.

In investigating the issue, I found that left clicking the windows icon in the corner of my screen also does nothing. Right-clicking gives the simplified menu as I believe is normal.

The Search bar in the task bar also does not work, clicking it does not allow me to enter text.

From that menu, if I try opening Settings or System I get the following error :

[Window Title]

C:\Users\icoul\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3\06 - SystemAbout.lnk

[Content]

This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action. Please install an app or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Apps Settings page.

[OK]

I looked in the tool tray and a Windows Defender icon showed it was recommending an action, but it would not open Windows Defender to show what it is.

I wondered if there was an issue with a Windows Update, but if I click to View Installed Update the cursor shows a "loading" circle but in the end nothing happens.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-11-14T01:34:19+00:00

    If the issue still persists, please try performing an In-place Upgrade. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while your personal files, settings and installed applications will not be removed.

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    Few things to check on the PC

    **Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting

    **Disable or uninstall any 3rd party Anti-Virus program to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

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  2. John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-11-13T00:56:19+00:00

    Hi, 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? Have you made any changes to your computer recently?

    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.

    **Repair all Windows apps via PowerShell

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

    Select "Run new task" then type: powershell

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

    Copy and paste the command below one at a time then press Enter. Please ignore the red errors and let the process complete.

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_. InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}

    Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_. InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

    Restart your computer

    Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns by clicking the "Reply" button at the end of my response. I will appreciate it.

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

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  3. John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-11-14T01:06:06+00:00

    Please try to return to the login screen

    While holding the Left Shift key, click the Power icon in the lower right > Restart

    This will bring you to Windows Recovery Environment

    Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates

    Uninstall latest quality update

    If this doesn't work, Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore

    Select the restore point at an earlier date where everything is still working.

    Click Next then Finish

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

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  4. John DeV 164.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-11-14T00:55:43+00:00

    When was the last time it worked properly? Have you made any changes to your computer recently?

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-11-14T00:53:58+00:00

    No change.

    I've already restarted Windows explorer a number of times.

    SFC and DISM didn't raise any problems.

    I couldn't see a "File" option in my Task Manager, but I already had an admin Powershell window open from the previous step so used that. The first two commands ran very quickly, third was longer and showed red errors like you mentioned.

    After restarting the issue persists.

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