windows issues

Question

Since the update I can not open the start button or access setting

Answer 1

Hi Matthew Halstead,

I understand how disruptive this must be when essential features like the Start menu and Settings become inaccessible after an update. We’ll work through this together step by step:

Step 1: Restart the Windows interface

This refreshes the desktop, taskbar, and Start menu without affecting your files.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Locate Windows Explorer in the list
3. Right‑click it and select Restart
4. Once it reloads, please try clicking the Start button again

Step 2: Check basic system responsiveness

This helps confirm whether Windows is still responding in the background.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
2. If the security screen appears, Windows is running normally and the issue is likely limited to the interface

Step 3: Repair Windows system files

Updates can occasionally leave system components in an incomplete or corrupted state.

• Open Task Manager
• Select File > Run new task
• Type cmd, check Run as administrator, then select OK
• Run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• After it completes, run:

sfc /scannow

• Restart the computer once both commands finish

Please try these steps when convenient and let me know how it goes. If the problem continues after this, we can look at additional options together.

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Answer 2

On some recent Windows 11 updates, a known issue can cause the Start button and Windows key to stop responding.

If this started immediately after installing an update such as KB5014668, KB5015814, or KB5015882 on Windows 11 version 21H2, the problem is addressed by a later cumulative update (KB5016629) and by a Known Issue Rollback (KIR).

To resolve it:

1. Restart the device
   • A simple restart can help the KIR configuration apply more quickly.
2. Make sure the fixed update is installed
   • When possible, install the August 9, 2022 update KB5016629 (OS Build 22000.856) or any newer cumulative update for Windows 11 version 21H2, which contains the permanent fix.
   • If Settings will not open at all, wait up to 24 hours while the KIR policy rolls back the problematic change automatically, then restart again.
3. For enterprise‑managed devices (IT/admin scenario)
   • If the device is managed by an organization and is stuck on an affected build, deploy the special Group Policy for the Known Issue Rollback:
     • Open Group Policy Editor and go to:
       • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB5014668 220721_04201 Known Issue Rollback > Windows 11 (original release)
     • Install and configure the KIR policy MSI that matches Windows 11 version 21H2 as documented. This explicitly rolls back the change that breaks Start.

Once the KIR or the fixed cumulative update is applied, clicking the Start button and using the Windows key should work again.

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References:

• June 23, 2022—KB5014668 (OS Build 22000.778) Preview
• July 12, 2022—KB5015814 (OS Build 22000.795)
• July 21, 2022—KB5015882 (OS Build 22000.832) Preview