Windows 10: Start menu not opening after initial Windows Update on new HP desktop

New HP desktop, Win 10 Build 19041.488. The other day I came back after being away from the screen for a bit and it was covered in empty gray boxes, like leftover shell command windows. I checked under Event Viewer/System, and it showed update activity... various Intel, Realtek drivers and Win Update. And under Event Viewer/Setup, there was:

Initiating changes for package KB4586876. Current state is Absent. Target state is Installed. Client id: WindowsUpdateAgent.

followed 11 seconds later by:

A reboot is necessary before package KB4586876 can be changed to the Installed state.

Also got the notification that I needed to restart to finish installation. That's when I clicked to open the Start menu, and nothing happened. I've looked at a lot of the "fixes" for broken Start menu on the web. Seems to be many, with mixed results. But I don't want to try one and maybe break something that's not really broken to start with, if simply restarting will take care of it with the installation.

The "changes" noted in the event viewer in preparation for the update package installation apparently are what killed the Start menu. Will this be automatically fixed when it reboots and completes the install? Should I choose "update and restart" or just "restart"? Or do I need to attempt some kind of fix before rebooting, to prevent further problems when it tries to complete the intallation on reboot?

Has anyone experienced this? What could cause it, and what is the safest solution? I want to make sure it can reboot successfully, and I get my Start menu back.

Thanks much for any insight or help at all. Seriously thinking of just going with a Mac from now on.

submitted by /u/FortCharles
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:)

 

Windows 10 Start Menu won't open.

Hi Dougie,

Corrupted system files could be one of the reason why Start Menu is not opening.

As an initial troubleshooting, we suggest following the steps listed in this article:
Troubleshoot problems with the Start menu or Cortana
see if it helps resolve the issue.

Update us with the outcome so we can provide further assistance.

 

Start menu is not working on Windows 10

Hi,

Iunderstand the frustration if things are not working fine as expected.

Please help us with below details,

• • • • • 
          When you say "If I sign in under my user name I am in some earlier version", which version you are referring to?
          
        • 
          Did you made any recent changes to your computer prior to the issue?
          
        • 
          When you say “I cannot access the start menu and am limited to IP as a browser” Is it refers to Microsoft Edge?
          

As an initial steps, I suggest you to check for the Windows version. To do so, follow the below steps:

1) Login to your computer through user name on which it show earlier version of Windows.

2) Press Windows key + r.

3) Type winver, hit enter.

For the issue related to start menu, I suggest you to refer to the below Microsoft help article and check,

Fix problems with the Start menu

Reply with results and necessary information to help you further.

Thank you.

 

Windows 10 Start menu not working?

Hello,

We would like to know more so we could assist you better. Kindly clarify the following:

• What is your OS build and version?
• Are you getting the same error message when you try to access the Start Menu by clicking the Windows key alone and also the Start Menu on the left side of your desktop?

For the meantime, we suggest that you follow these steps to be able to use Cortana/ Search:

• Check for updates.
• Restart your device.
• Try the troubleshooter.
• Create a new local administrator account.
• Reset your PC.

For more information regarding the steps above, kindly refer to this link.

Should you have other concerns, let us know.