Windows 10: Cannot add things to the start menu... also search issues.

I went to Start10 in the meantime but I think I would really like to use and configure the default.. it seems nice.

however, when I try to pin things by dragging, I get this: (red circle with slash)
Dropbox - 2015-08-02_14-41-44.png
Dropbox - 2015-08-02_14-40-17.png

and when i right click to add...

wait... it showed up. It wasn't before.

Ok ... weird. Gonna mess about with that.

However, here's another thing. When I go to search for something, it immediately searches the web... what's up with that? Why won't it look through my programs? It takes forever sometimes... and sometimes it doesn't find anything.

Is there a way to optimize this? I really kinda miss the start screen "open it and type something" - can't the start menu do that?

either way, I am not unhappy with windows10 at all. The upgrade was easy and it migrated most of my apps.

:)

 

Start menu not working Windows 10

The steps outline above did solve the start menu, notification action center, clock and volume control issue., however, the search box on the task bar does not work. Also I cannot add folders to appear on Start. The choices are greyed out.

Also the problem with msconfig stated in my post above has not been resolved. I cannot check and apply normal bootup items. Which may account for why there are still some problems with Start and Search box

 

Cannot unpin items from Start or remove items from Most Used list

When I right-click unwanted tiles in Start and click "Unpin from Start," nothing happens. The unwanted tile stays.

The same happens with the Most Used menu. I right click and choose the "Don't show in this list" option, but nothing happens. The item stays.

Edit to add:

I can't seem to add things to Start either

Pin to Start doesn't work.

I also cannot add or remove folders from Start through the Settings > Personalization menu. I turn Start options on and off and nothing happens. I also can't get full screen Start to work.

In summary, I cannot customize or change my Start menu whatsoever.