Longtime Windows users know the importance of the Start button. So what if that favorite icon suddenly stops responding? What do you do when the Windows 10 Start menu disappears from the desktop?
Nothing to worry about. We’ve compiled a list of solutions for common Start menu problems.
Restart the computer
It sounds silly to remind people to restart their computer at the first sign of a problem. You will be surprised how most problems can be solved by themselves simply by restarting your computer. So, first of all, play with this and see if it fixes everything.
Look for damaged files
Windows has a built-in system file checker that fixes corrupted files and restores your computer to its proper state. To run System File Checker (SFC), follow these steps.
Open Run by holding the Windows button, then R on your keyboard.
Use Run to open a command prompt by typing CMD.
– /
At the command line, enter SFC / SCANNOW.
This will instruct Windows to fix any corrupted file on your system. If this method doesn’t work, you can use a different command. At the command prompt, enter:
DISM / ONLINE / CLEANUP-IMAGE / RESTORE HEALTH
This includes the Deployment Imaging and Service Management (DISM) tool. DISM Online Cleanup can fix errors that prevent SFCs from doing their job.
Restart Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is the process that handles the Start Menu. After restarting the process, the Start button will work normally again.
Open Task Manager while holding down the CTRL, SHIFT and ESC keys.
Click on the Processes tab. Note. Click “Details” if the tabs are not displayed.
Scroll down and find Windows Explorer in the list of active applications.
Right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart.
Start the application identity service
Application Identity Service is a Windows 10 service that regular users shouldn’t touch with a 3m stick. However, there is a possibility that force-launching the application might fix the problem with the Start menu.
Select Run (Windows + R) and enter SERVICES.MSC.
Find Application Identity in the list of services.
Right click Application Identity and click Start. Reboot your computer.
Turn off login info
Having problems with the Start button immediately after restarting your computer or updating Windows? It could have something to do with your Windows account. The solution might be to disconnect your account from the PC.
Select Settings (Windows + I) Accounts Sign-in Options.
Scroll down until you find privacy options.
Disable the ability to use your login information to configure your device after an update or restart.
Create a new admin account
If you do not have a personal link to your current administrator account, it is worth considering creating a new one. Try creating a new Administrator account and see if the missing Start button problem resolves in the process.
- Open Task Manager (press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC).
- Go to File Run New Task.
- Enter USER ACCOUNT PASSWORD / ADD
Note. Replace ACCOUNTNAME with your desired username. The same is with the PASSWORD.
Check the box that allows the account to have administrator rights.
Sign in to your new account. See if there is a Start button there.
If the new account is fine, transfer all your settings from the old account. Sign in to your invalid account.
Go to Control Panel (select Run and type Control Panel) System Advanced System Settings.
Go to the Advanced tab. Click “Settings” under “User Profiles”.
Select your new profile and click “Copy to”.
Check your apps
Have you installed new apps recently? The problem with the Start menu may be related to an application you recently installed. Uninstall any new apps and see if that solves the problem.
To uninstall the app, go to Settings (Windows + I).
Go to Apps Apps & Features. Scroll through the list of apps until you find what you are looking for. Click the application name and click Remove.
Alternatively, you can uninstall all your apps via Powershell. Select Run (Win + R) and enter Powershell. Make sure you right click on the Powershell icon and run it as administrator. Enter the following command:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$ ($ _. InstallLocation) AppXManifest.xml”}
Restart your computer and see if the Start button works again. Enjoy!
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