Start and Settings won't work

Question

I am using a Windows 11 on Dell and recently i cant turn on the start menu or the settings any more. it just not appear for anything on the taskbar (except the search box). And for the settings, it just appear the icon and quit. On the personalization, it appear an error said "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." i couldnt even open settings to do this! So please help me.

Answer 1

Some people are reporting this same problem, most likely this is caused by the latest Windows Update.

If you are unable to open the Settings app, you are unable to use most of the available troubleshooting steps.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot to a stable system.

1

If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that will be the best option.

2

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

Answer 2

The Start menu and Settings app are core parts of the Windows shell. When they fail to open or close immediately, the issue is usually with the shell experience, Start menu configuration, or app registrations. From the available information, use these approaches:

1. Repair or reset affected apps
   • For apps that still open (for example, other Store apps), use the built‑in repair tools:
     1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
     2. Select the More icon next to the app.
     3. Select Advanced options.
     4. Select Repair. If that doesn’t help, select Reset.
   • If Settings opens only briefly, try again after other repairs below (for example, after Start menu policies are corrected or shell issues are fixed).
2. Check Start menu policies (if this is a managed or previously configured device) Misconfigured Start menu policies can prevent Start from behaving correctly.
   • If Group Policy was used on this device, review:
     • User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar for:
       • Prevent users from customizing their Start
       • Prevent changes to Taskbar and Start Menu Settings
       • Disable context menus in the Start Menu
       • Hide app list / Remove All Programs list from the Start menu
       • Hide recommended section
     • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar for similar entries.
   • Disable or set these policies to Not Configured if they were enabled in error, then sign out and sign back in.
3. Verify Start layout configuration
   • If a custom Start layout or Start pins policy was applied (for example, via MDM or Group Policy):
     • Check the Configure Start pins policy and its JSON file. An invalid or corrupted layout can cause unexpected Start behavior.
     • Path for GPO: Computer Configuration or User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Configure Start Pins.
   • Remove or correct the JSON file and set the policy to Not Configured to test whether Start works again.
4. Check shell‑related services and dependencies
   • The Start menu depends on services such as Background Tasks Infrastructure Service and its dependency, the Power Dependency Coordinator (PDC) driver.
   • If PDC fails to load at startup, Background Tasks Infrastructure Service fails and affects the Start menu.
   • Check the event logs for errors related to:
     • Background Tasks Infrastructure Service
     • Power Dependency Coordinator
   • Ensure these aren’t disabled or removed; they must be running for a stable Start menu.
5. If Start customizations don’t apply or behave unexpectedly
   • If any XML or JSON Start layout file was edited manually, verify:
     • No extra spaces or invalid characters.
     • Saved in the correct format.
   • Incorrect format can cause Start layout customizations to fail or behave unpredictably.
6. If built‑in apps (like Settings) are generally unstable
   • Use the repair options for apps and programs:
     • Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps > select the app > Advanced options > Repair or Reset.
     • For classic programs: open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > right‑click the program > Repair or Change and follow the prompts.
   • If Settings is too unstable to use, run these steps once Settings becomes usable again after fixing Start/policy/shell issues.

If the device is managed by an organization (work or school), contact the administrator to review and correct any Start menu and policy settings that may have been pushed to the device.

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References:

• Customize the Windows Start Menu
• Start menu policy settings (windows-11)
• Start menu troubleshooting guidance
• Repair apps and programs in Windows