Pressing Windows Start button doesn't work, settings will launch but immediately close and can't right click to close an app. What do I do?

Question

Pressing Windows Start button doesn't work, settings will launch but immediately close and can't right click to close an app. What do I do?

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I've tried the Task Manager Windows Explorer Method

I've tried the Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} Method

The sfc /scannow and dsim method

none of it has worked and i dont know what to do

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi,

When did the issue start, and what changes were made to your computer before it occurred?

Since none of the basic troubleshooting steps worked, I suggest performing an in-place repair upgrade while keeping your files and apps. This can help fix or replace any corrupted files that may be causing the problem.

Note: Before doing so, unplug all unnecessary external peripherals connected to your PC, and temporarily disable any third-party antivirus program to avoid interference.

Click the 'Download now' button under 'Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)' and save it to your computer: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 (Click the third 'Download Now' button.)
Run the downloaded file and select 'Yes' when prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
Accept the Microsoft Software License Terms if you agree.
On the 'What do you want to do?' screen, select 'Upgrade this PC now' and click 'Next.'

(This stage will download, verify, and create the Windows 11 installation media.) It will take some time to complete.

Under 'Choose what to keep,' select 'Keep personal files and apps,' then click 'Next.'
Click 'Install,' and the installation will begin. (This process will take some time, so please be patient.)

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order, testing the Start button and Settings after each major step:

Re-register Settings specifically Since the generic Get-AppXPackage command did not help, re-register the Settings app and built‑in apps as in the working example:
1. Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Run this command (copy–paste, then Enter):
```
      Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}
```
3. After it finishes, run:
```
      Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
```
4. Restart the PC and test Start, Settings, and right‑click on apps.
Check for dimmed/blocked apps (package status) If some apps appear dimmed in Start or fail to open, fix their package status:
1. Open Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → Apps → Microsoft‑Windows‑TWinUI/Operational.
2. Look for Event ID 5960 errors mentioning apps that fail to start.
3. Open regedit as administrator.
4. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\StateChange\PackageList
5. For each package listed in the Event 5960 entries, set PackageStatus to 0.
6. Restart and test again.
Note: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems; export the PackageList key first as a backup.
Verify critical services for Start/UX Problems with Start and modern UI can be caused by required services not running:
1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
2. Ensure these are Running and Automatic:
  - BrokerInfrastructure (Background Tasks Infrastructure Service)
  - Any related shell/UX services listed for the OS
3. If a required service is stopped or disabled, set it to Automatic and start it, then restart the PC.
Run SFC again after the above changes Since SFC was already run, run it once more after the app re‑registration and registry fix:
1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run:
```
      sfc /scannow
```
3. Let it complete and restart.
If the issue persists and is system‑wide If Start, Settings, and right‑click remain broken after all steps above, the profile or OS shell may be badly corrupted. At that point, the most reliable options are:
- Create a new local user account and test Start/Settings there.
- If the new account is also broken, use Reset this PC with Keep my files to repair Windows while preserving personal data (apps and settings will be removed).

References:

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Pressing Windows Start button doesn't work, settings will launch but immediately close and can't right click to close an app. What do I do?

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