Windows 10: Unable to access anything in Windows 10 - start menu, task manager, etc.

Since yesterday, I've been unable to access start menu (windows button in keyboard, clicking on start menu or right-clicking on it). I'm not able to access task manager or services.msc - everything gives me this message: "The service cannot accept control messages at this time"

Online troubleshooting articles suggest me to run sfc /scannow in command prompt but I am unable to get into administrator mode in command prompt. I'm unable to install a windows repair tool I downloaded from online - tweaking.com_windows_repair_aio_setup.exe which again gives me the same message above.

I didn't install anything new yesterday, so not sure what triggered this suddenly. I can't access the "Reset PC option", which if available, I could do a factory reset at least.

I noticed that since yesterday, when I login using my password, it takes about 15-20 seconds to bring my desktop, which doesn't happen usually - usually takes about 5 seconds or less to enter the desktop screen - if this helps.

Anyone have any idea as to how to fix this? Or a way to reset my PC? I have all my data in another partition so I can just reset the main drive in which Windows is installed, but not sure how to do it since I am unable to access the Settings section.


:)

 

Unable to access Start menu, Search bar, notification buttons on Task bar after install the Update KB3139907 on Windows 10

Hi John,

Thank you for responding.

We are glad to know that you are able to access Search bar and notification center after performing the above troubleshooting steps.

For the issues with Start menu, try the below steps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run the below PowerShell command to re-register Start menu and check if it helps.

Follow:

• 
  Right click on the Taskbar and select
  Task Manager from the context menu.
  
• 
  In the Task Manager window, click on
  File and on Run new task.
  
• 
  Type powershell, place a check mark on
  Create this task with administrative privileges and click Ok.
  
• 
  In the administrative Windows PowerShell window, carefully type the below command and hit Enter key from the keyboard.
  

• 
  Get-appxpackage -all *shellexperience* -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml”)}
  

5. Once the command execution is completed successfully, close the PowerShell window and reboot/ restart the computer.

NOTE: When you are running the PowerShell command, I recommend you to close all the apps on your system and try.

If the issue still persists,

Step 2: I suggest you to try the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the below Microsoft article and check if it helps.

Get help with the Windows 10 Start menu

Hope it helps. Kindly update the status of this issue for further assistance.

 

Can't open start menu, cortana, nor the task manager after creators update.

Hi Anna,

Since you mentioned that you're experiencing issues with the Start menu, Cortana and Task Manager, we may need to do several troubleshooting procedures.

For our first procedure, could you please try to right-click the Start
menu, select Task Manager and check if you are able to access it. If you are still not able to access the Task Manager, try to press
Windows Key+R from your keyboard and type "Task Manager" on the run command and check if you are able to access it.

If you're able to access the Task Manager, please follow the steps and check if the steps help to fix the Task Manager:

• Open Task Manager.
• Click on the Details tab.
• Right-click on the Explorer.exe process and select End task.
• Right-click on the File at the upper left part.
• Select Run new task and type explorer.exe and click Ok.

To troubleshoot the Start menu and Cortana, we suggest that you carefully follow the workaround provided by
Andre Da Costa, dated last October 17, 2017, on this thread.

We are eager on getting this resolved for you, we will wait for your feedback.

 

Bug in Windows 10 - start menu and apps not working

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand your concern that you are unable to access Start menu, Windows Store apps, Microsoft Edge, Taskbar etc., after installing Windows Updates.

I suggest you to try the below steps and check if the issue is resolved.

Step 1: If you are able to access Programs and Features, I suggest you to uninstall the updates and check.

• 
  Press Windows + x key to open a task list from the bottom left corner of the screen.
  
• 
  Select Control Panel.
  
• 
  Select Programs and Features.
  
• 
  Double click on the updates you want to uninstall and follow the onscreen instructions.
  

Step 2: If you are unable to perform the above mentioned steps,
I suggest you to run the PowerShell command and check:

• 
  Press CTRL+Shift+ESC, to open the
  Task manager.
  
• 
  Click File > Run New Task.
  
• 
  Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
  
• 
  Type Powershell.
  
• 
  Type the following in the Powershell prompt:
  
  $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml'; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest
  
  
• 
  Close the Powershell window.
  
• 
  Reboot/Restart the computer.
  

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