Windows 10: Can't access start menu, tools, cortana, Microsoft edge, or "This PC" in explorer

Hi,


I just had this issue starting 11/21/18. I noticed that I couldn't type inside the search bar, or open Cortana. I restarted the computer using Alt F4 to restart. It got hung up on restart, and closed the Dell laptop and it restarted again. Fully rebooted, got to sign in with my pin, and got full desktop. But got time-out errors on some startup items like Adobe Creative Cloud. Realized I couldn't use Cortana, open start menu, or click on notifications box, or through opening file explorer window, once i got to "This Pc" I couldn't go in any further. Cut off from any inner workings of computer or apps normally accessed through Start menu.


Help needed!

:)

 

Start Menu, Cortana, Edge and sound

Hi Angel,

To facilitate your query, we'd like to ask these questions:

• When was the last time you were able to access Start Menu, Cortana, and Microsoft Edge?
• Did you make any changes to your computer's configuration prior to the issue?

Let us try the methods below and observe.

Method 1: Run Start Menu Troubleshooter.

Try this Start Menu Troubleshooter to automatically fix problem with Cortana and Start Menu.

Method 2: Run System File Checker and DISM commands.

System File Checker is a Windows utility that allow users to scan for and restore corruptions

in Windows system files. Follow these steps for instructions:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type this sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

If SFC did not find any violations, it's still a good idea to run DISM Restorehealth. For instructions, please follow these steps:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type this Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth and hit Enter.
  

Keep us posted.

 

No Cortana Icon on Microsoft Edge

Hi Praveen,

It is possible that the Show search and site suggestions as I type option in Microsoft Edge isn't enabled which explains why the Cortana icon is not visible. To check, follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click the Menu button (...).
• Click Settings.
• Scroll down and click View advanced settings.
• 
  Turn on the toggle switch for the Have Cortana assist me in Microsoft Edge
  option.
  
• 
  Turn on the toggle switch for the Show search and site suggestions as I type option.
  

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

Unable to access YouTube websites on Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge on Windows 10

Hi,

As you are facing issues with accessing the YouTube on Windows browsers, do not worry we will help you with this issue.

Provide us additional information to assist you better with this issue:

• What is the complete error message/ error code while trying to access the web pages?
• Does this issue specific only with YouTube?
• Have you made any changes to the operating system prior to this issue?

Try the below workarounds to identify what is causing the issue:

• Try to access YouTube in different browser and check if it is working fine. This will let us know if the issue is with the website/ the Microsoft browsers.
• Also, try to access different website on Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

Try the below troubleshooting steps to access the website and check if it helps.

Method 1: For Internet Explorer

Step 1: I suggest you to run the Internet Explorer Performance troubleshooter.

• Press Windows key, type
  troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on View all in the left pane.
• Click on Internet Explorer Performance
  and follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 2: If the issue is only on Internet Explorer and to specific website, I suggest you to view the website in compatibility view to check if the issue is confined to compatibility.

Steps to view the website in compatibility view:

• Open Internet Explorer
  and open the website.
• Click on Gear/ Settings icon at the right-top corner of the window.
• Click on Compatibility View Settings, click on Add
  to add the website and click on Close.
• Reopen the website and check if the issue persists.

Step 3: If the issue still persists, I suggest you to access the website in
InPrivate mode and check.

InPrivate Browsing enables you to surf the web without leaving a trail in Internet Explorer. This helps prevent anyone else who might be using your computer from seeing what sites you visited and what you looked at on the web. You can start InPrivate
Browsing from the New Tab page or the Safety button.

Steps to open the browser in InPrivate mode:

Open Internet Explorer, press Shift+Ctrl+P
to open the browser in InPrivate mode and try to access the website.

Method 2: For Microsoft Edge:

I suggest you to check if the Adobe Flash player is enabled on Microsoft Edge.

• Open Microsoft Edge, click on More actions
  (...) in the right-top corner of Microsoft Edge window.
• Click on Settings, scroll down and click on
  Advanced settings.
• Enable Use Adobe Flash Player
• Check if the issue persists with accessing the YouTube websites.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status to access YouTube website on Microsoft browsers for further

assistance.

Thank you.