Windows 10: Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working''

Hi

Downloaded Windows 10 over a month ago and it has been working fine since

Today I installed the latest version of iTunes and since then I get the following:-

Critical Error - Start Menu and Cortana aren't working - We'll try to fix it the next time you sign in

There is then a box which says ''Sign out now''

I do these and it goes back to the Critical error message

Any advice would be appreciated as I seem stuck in this loop

Thanks

Dale

:)

 

Windows 10-Where is Windows Update command that was displayed in Windows 8.1 control panel

Thank you but that only works when the start menu doesn't say 'CRITICAL ERROR' Cortana & the Start Menu aren't working.

When I moved the cursor to the task bar all I got was a blue spinning circle.

 

Critical error: Start Menu and Cortana aren't working

Original title: Critical error

Again: Critical error: Start Menu and Cortana aren't working! How can I fix this recurring problem?

 

Hi if you look at
Windows Compatibility Center

and enter itunes, then click on an individual result, you'll see the votes indicate a very mixed experience, whatever that means.

The obvious thing to suggest is uninstalling it- completely. I suggest with the aid of 'Geek uninstaller' (freeware) to check for any remnants.

And ideally you would have enabled System Restore so that you have restore points to revert to (System Restore is disabled by default).

Please post the outcome when you've uninstalled it.

 

Thanks for the reply

I'm unable to get onto the start menu to do this - also I haven't enabled System Restore as I assumed (wrongly) that it would work like previous versions of Windows

 

Hi,
From Win X, can you go to control panel to uninstall itunes? (Via Programs and Features)
If not,
What happens if you hit Win R, Win E, for example?
And can you get into safe mode- does the start menu work then?

 

I'm not sure what you mean when you say Win X, Win R & Win E -

How would I get into Safe Mode

Thanks

 

Hit F8 during the boot process. You got to figure out when exactly you have to press the key. If you hit the right moment a menu will come up with different boot options, among them is boot in safe mode.

 

Hi, sorry, too cryptic.
"Windows key on the keyboard labelled with the Windows logo" + X = "Win key + X" (at the same time)
- should bring up a text pop-up menu.

"Windows key on the keyboard labelled with the Windows logo" + R = "Win key + R"
- should display the 'Run' command box.

As to Safe Mode- please use search. Easy to find that info. In your case I'd suggest
Win key + X
Shut down...
Point to Restart (don't click yet)
Press and hold SHIFT and left click.
Then you have to work through a sequence of prompts.
Best to read it up (search- loads of write-ups and tutorials etc) and make a note if you're not sure before you do it).

(altae- F8 isn't enabled by default in win 10... what do you have in mind?)

 

So first try uninstalling itunes
Windows key + X, Control Panel, Programs and Features, and uninstall it from there.

 

Thanks - I'll give it a go

 

Press Alt, Ctrl, Del keys at th same time, click the power icon at the lower right corner, and choose Restart. After restart, the error message will disappear.

 

Thanks Big 10 - have tried that but it's a never ending loop back to the Critical Error message

 

This method is not an ultimate solution, the error meassge may appear again sometimes.

 

I have been having the same problem since last week. Windows 10 was working great until last Monday & then the critical error. I can boot in safe mode, I can access programs by right clicking on the start button. But, I have left click on it, then I get the critical error. My notification bar won't work & neither does the search bar.
I haven't installed the latest itunes, so I don't think that was the issue, but I have no idea what caused this or how to fix it.

I have found a work around - creating a new profile & making it local not a ms account.

DoubleD55, is your account a ms account or local? I'm curious if this will affect local accounts at all.

I have heard of using the media creation tool & reinstalling win 10 over the current version, but I haven't tried that.