Windows 10 Start Menu offers quick access to apps, files and settings. It can cause frustration and a drop in productivity when it doesn’t work. This problem is not uncommon and usually can be resolved with some simple steps.
We’ll show you how to fix your Windows 10 Start menu issues.
Common symptoms of a faulty Start Menu
Check for these signs before you start fixing the Start Menu.
- When clicked, the Start Menu will not appear.
- You may experience a slow or delayed response time when accessing the Start Menu.
- Start Menu randomly freezes up or crashes.
- Start Menu tiles, search, and apps are not responsive or missing.
Continue reading if you have encountered one or more of these problems.
Restart Windows Explorer
A simple restart of Windows Explorer will often fix any glitches in the Start Menu. How to do it?
- To open Task Manager, press Shift + Ctrl + Esc.
- Find Windows Explorer on the list of processes.
- Click on the right-click and choose Restart.
The Start Menu may be restored if you perform this action.
The built-in Troubleshooter is the second solution.
Windows 10 comes with a troubleshooter that can help you resolve system problems. To run it:
- To open Settings, press Windows+ I.
- Select Menu Start or “Search and Indexing”.
- Follow the instructions on the screen by clicking .
The dedicated Troubleshooter detects and fixes problems with your Start Menu.
Upgrade Your system
Windows 10 can have performance problems caused by outdated system files. Make sure your operating system has been updated:
- Windows+I will open the settings.
- You can update Windows using .
- Install any updates that are pending by clicking Updates.
Updating your system can resolve compatibility problems that may affect the Start Menu.
PowerShell: Solution 4: Install Start menu components
Reinstalling the Start Menu may be the best solution if the problem persists. Follow these steps to use the PowerShell tool:
- To open the Task Manager, press Shift + Ctrl + Esc.
- Click File > Run new task.
- Select Create a task with administrative rights. Type Powershell.
- Enter the command below:
“`powershell
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”
“`
- Enter by pressing
- After the installation is complete, restart your computer.
It will then reregister all the important components in the Start Menu.
Solution 5: Perform a System File Check
Start Menu issues can also be caused by corrupt system files. These files can be repaired using System File Checker.
- In the taskbar, search for . Click on it, then select and click Run as administrator.
- Press to enter the command:
“`cmd
Sfc/scannow
“`
- Restart your computer after the scan is complete.
The process detects and fixes corrupted files in your system that could be affecting the Start Menu.
Solution 6: Create New User Account
The problem may be the user account. Create a new user account:
- Windows+I will open the settings.
- You can navigate to family & other users by clicking accounts.
- Click to add someone else on this computer.
- Create a new account by following the instructions.
Check that the Start Menu works correctly by logging into your new account. Then, move your files over to the new account.
How to contact Support
It may be that deeper problems at the system level are causing this issue if none of these fixes work. For personalized help, contact Microsoft Support or an IT expert.
Last Thoughts
It can be very frustrating when the Start Menu does not work. However, most problems can be solved with an easy step-by-step process. You can quickly restore the Start Menu by restarting Windows Explorer or running PowerShell, as well as updating your operating system and using a troubleshooter.
Also Read: Windows 10 Safe Mode
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