Windows 10: New Window update caused missing files, errors and broken start menu & cortana

I've recently updated and restarted my PC and upon logging in, I was met with a black screen with a view-able cursor upon moving and a missing taskbar. Though searching online has proven this seems to be a common problem, though the fixes haven't worked. I've tried multiple possible fixes available through the internet with no avail.

A list of some the problems:
1. Start Menu cannot be accessed through any means that I've found
2. File Explorer seems to have gotten much much slower and has gotten more prone to not responding
3. A general slower load time compared to pre-update.
4. Opening applications other than Chrome, File Explorer, Task Manager, Device Manager(Though I don't remember how I got it up) leads to a side-by-side configuration error that appears minutes after the attempt of opening the application.
5. Downloading files leads to a Side-by-side configuration error. "The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect".
6. Trying the sfc /scannow leads to a different variation(different from what I've seen from picture examples) of a Windows Resource Protection error.
7. Trying to find the root problem(Apologies, but I do not remember the command I used) leads to a Unknown Error message in cmd.
8. Starting in safe mode leads to similar problems(Start Menu not working, most applications not working)
9. Attempts to restart(While keeping personal files) reaches 1% then stops and says it cannot continue(or something along those lines)
10. Troubleshoot repair options have not worked, or failed.

And more that I can't remember. I am willing to try ANY possible fixes and give more information if need be. Thank you for your help!

More Info:
During the update, it blue screened at 100% it restarted.
Taskbar appears after a while of waiting, though is prone to sometimes not appearing(sliding taskbar)
"This App can not run on your PC" error appeared trying to run start menu and regedit using cmd.
My anti-virus(Bitdefender) was the only startup app running on the taskbar.

:)

 

missing icons in start menu

Hi Wickiwizard,

It is possible that the icon of your apps in Start menu is missing due to a corrupted system files. To provide you the accurate resolution, kindly answer the following questions:

• Have you made any recent changes prior to this issue?
• Does this happen only with icons in Start menu?
• What troubleshooting steps you've done so far?

Meanwhile, we suggest that you perform the steps in this
article on how to troubleshoot problems with Start menu or Cortana.

If the issue still persists, we recommend that you follow the suggestion shared by
Meliton Dec on this thread.
The given troubleshooting steps will help repair or reset not only missing apps but also lost icon.

Keep us posted if you need additional help.

 

Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs"

RE: WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 32bit, Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs" list.

I have several "start menu" programs missing in my "all programs" list. One of the missing entries is the "accessories" folder and all related files.

As far as I can tell all of the missing files are on the system and they can be found by using the "start menu search" facility. This problem is occurring with other users but I can not find a solution which works to get things back the way they were after installing the OS.

I am seeing the missing apps and other items at this location in iexplore.exe %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs .

Everything I have tried to get these items back into my "start menu" "all programs" list has been met with failure except creating a shortcut. A shortcut is not the real fix as it leaves two entries in the folder.

When I right click on the highlighted "all Programs" box, in the start menu, a small options list pops up, if "open all users" is selected a new window pops up. Inside that window I can click on the programs folder where I can see the missing entries that should appear on my "all programs" list plus those which I presently see on my "all programs" list together in a single directory listing.

How can I get the above directory list of programs back into the "start menu" "all programs" area so I do not have to go through this extra window and select the programs folder to locate what I wish to run?

I also noticed my accessories folder has a lock on it while I am in the primary user administrator account. If you know how to get rid of the lock it would be helpful however I can find that information when I get a chance to look up the answer?

I noticed some hidden (first tier) folders on the C: drive which I made visible while leaving protection on the OS folders. I can now see these folders in an iexplore.exe directory listing. This did not fix the problem in the "all programs" file selection list and I do not remember if this folder was hidden when the OS was installed.

When I opened up the system to allow a login directly into the Administrator account everything shows up the same as it did when the OS installed along with all other programs installed afterward.

After some progress I am still here *Bang Head :banghead: and slowly getting closer to an answer. Can anyone help me get there a little faster?

 

Unable to access Start menu and Cortana in Windows 10

Hello Kevin,

As you are unable to access Start menu and Cortana on your device we will help you with this issue.

Do let us know if you are able to see any error message/ error code while trying to access Start menu and Cortana?

This issue might have occurred due to missing/ corrupted system files on your device. Try the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run SFC scan and check if it helps.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. If a
Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected.

• Press Windows + R keys, to open
  Run command.
• Type cmd and hit Enter to open
  Command Prompt.
• Type the command "sfc /scannow" without the quotes
  and hit Enter.
• After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.

Step 2: Also, I suggest you to install all the pending updates on Windows 10.

• Connect to the internet.
• Press Windows key and type
  updates.
• Click on Check for updates.
• Under Windows Updates, click on
  Check for updates.
• Try to install the updates being shown.

Hope it helps. Kindly update the status of this issue, we will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.