Windows Start menu does not open

Question

When I click Windows Start, I very briefly get a busy pointer, then nothing appears to happen.

Are you able to help me, please?

(NB, google searching for "windows start menu doesn't open" and applying all the top 10 alleged fixes did not help.)

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello KDMcM,

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?

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 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.

Kind regards,

John DeV

Independent Advisor

Answer 2

Hello KDMcM,

Thank you for updating me with that information. You can try performing a System Restore at an earlier date where everything still works.

Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: rstrui.exe

Press Enter. This will open System Restore

Click the Next button.

Choose the restore point at an earlier date where everything still works.

Click Next then Finish

Kind regards,

John DeV

Independent Advisor

Answer 3

Irritatingly, the Settings window popped up, but completely black. Then disappeared again. Something's badly broken here.

After A reboot, I tried again and got:

Edition Windows 10 Home

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎18/‎03/‎2021

OS build 19044.1706

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4170.0

Thanks.

Answer 4

It last worked a few days ago before the "update".

I did the first few things already, thanks (they're stock things to try; Google search was the first thing I did).

Last night, I gave up and shutdown. This morning, I've rebooted and Start menu is working, but it seems to have reset to default contents (it only contains Office, where I had it quite highly customised before).

Any idea how I can get the old profile back, please?

Answer 5

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-problems-with-the-start-menu-604171c1-2c65-40a6-8774-473810765950 Fix problems with the Start menu

It might be a simple Restart will fix that. But let's be sure of your updates first. What does it say at "right-click Start (if it works), System" under Windows Specifications...?...

Edition Windows 10 Home

Version 21H2

Installed on ‎11/‎22/‎2021

OS build 19044.1706

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4170.0

Or try "WinKey + I, System, About". If your version or OS Build are lesser than mine, try Windows Update as the article says. Then, do the Restart.