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

Discus and support Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working'' in Windows 10 Support to solve the problem; Thanks Big 10 - have tried that but it's a never ending loop back to the Critical Error message Have you tried to upgrade, (not update,) your Avast... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Support' started by DoubleD55, Sep 19, 2015.

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  1. CBUNNY
    CBunny Win User

    Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working''


    Have you tried to upgrade, (not update,) your Avast antivirus to Avast 2015? I did and it solve my problem with Windows 10.

    Hope it works for you too.
     
    CBunny, Sep 20, 2015
    #16
  2. MMPOSTEMA
    mmpostema Win User

    No, I don't have avast antivirus. I have norton.
     
    mmpostema, Sep 20, 2015
    #17
  3. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member
    dalchina, Sep 20, 2015
    #18
  4. MMPOSTEMA
    mmpostema Win User

    Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working''

    I did an online chat with a MS tech & he ran the powershell on my computer with no luck at all. I've tried restarting in safe mode & then back - it's the same. The only thing the MS tech suggested was to reset & reinstall software. *Mad
     
    mmpostema, Sep 20, 2015
    #19
  5. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member
    Hi, has anyone with this problem checked
    1. services are as they should be - default state. (I've encountered a 'popular' problem where certain services were affected)
    2. Cortana (for example) is easily 'broken' by changing some settings. Has anyone checked win 10 settings are set to their default or tried resetting them? For example, OO Shutup (freeware utility to stop some unwanted communication) has a feature to reset settings.
     
    dalchina, Sep 20, 2015
    #20
  6. DOUBLED55
    DoubleD55 Win User
    mmpostema - thanks but as you can guess 'm very much a novice and I'm unsure as to what you mean by ms or local account

    CBunny - I too use Avast but can't see a way to do as you suggest

    Dalchina - trying to access Safe Mode using F8 on boot up but I can't seem to find it
     
    DoubleD55, Sep 20, 2015
    #21
  7. MMPOSTEMA
    mmpostema Win User
    DoubleD55, I'm sorry but I don't think I can explain that right now. If you can access settings, then open accounts & under your name it'll either say "local account" or "MS account".

    Dalchina - how do you check if your services are in the default state? I think I understand, but I wanted to double check. Thanks! Oh & I don't have any freeware installed on this computer & haven't installed anything recently. (This problem started last Monday.) Thanks.
     
    mmpostema, Sep 21, 2015
    #22
  8. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member

    Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working''

     
    dalchina, Sep 21, 2015
    #23
  9. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member
    Default services:
    Hi, Ideally there would be a list to check- I haven't found one yet.
    There was this for Win 8 by Brink, but I don't think it's available for Win 10 yet- couldn't find it.

    Here are a couple of things that might help
    How to restore Windows Services to their default state - wintips.org - Windows Tips How-tos
    (ESET tool for services- but you'd need to check the version - that it's up to date with Win 10- and what services are covered)
    Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Read more at: Download Tweaking.com - Windows Repair - MajorGeeks


    Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Read more at: Download Tweaking.com - Windows Repair - MajorGeeks

    Tweaking.com - Windows Repair
    Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Read more at: Download Tweaking.com - Windows Repair - MajorGeeks

    Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Read more at: Download Tweaking.com - Windows Repair - MajorGeeks

    Download Tweaking.com - Windows Repair - MajorGeeks
    This very cautious tool - lots of backup methods before doing anything - includes an option for 'major' services.
    This is a very interesting tool with a good history.
     
    dalchina, Sep 21, 2015
    #24
  10. MMPOSTEMA
    mmpostema Win User
    I'll check into that, but I don't usually like downloading programs like this. I did post a question on their site concerning this critical error, so we'll see what they say.

    The MS tech that I was online with did perform the DISM scan but that changed nothing as well. I had seen a registry method, but I don't like messing with the registry. I mentioned it to the tech & he said that if we typed it in wrong, then my computer would be dead. SO, definitely skipping that registry method.
     
    mmpostema, Sep 21, 2015
    #25
  11. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member
    Hi, if you use disk imaging (e.g. Macrium Reflect) then after you've imaged your PC, you can try what you like in the security of being able to restore your image, and your PC exactly as it was. There are other methods e.g. backing up the registry, system restore (you'd need e.g. a Win 10 bootable disk to use system restore if your PC became unbootable.

    Sorry, I missed the link to Brink's tutorial in eightforums:
    Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 8
     
    dalchina, Sep 21, 2015
    #26
  12. BIG10
    big10 Win User
    Use Tweaking.com - Windows Repair on Windows 10 may make some of the icons in the Start Menu disappear like


    Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working'' [​IMG]
     
    big10, Sep 22, 2015
    #27
  13. DALCHINA
    dalchina New Member

    Critical Error - ''Start Menu & Cortana aren't working''

    Hi Big10, thanks, do you know which particular 'repair' did that, and are you using the latest version? I've certainly not run all the repairs on Win 10- no need to so far thankfully, but the initial scan showed sthg useful.

    Hopefully you've reported it..
     
    dalchina, Sep 22, 2015
    #28
  14. LANCELOT666
    Lancelot666 Win User
    Cheers "big 10",worked 4 me,yr a bloody LEGEND!!!!!!!
     
    Lancelot666, Apr 4, 2018
    #29
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