Windows 10: Unable to Access Start Menu or Any Windows Logo task

I have been having troubles with my Windows 10 device past couple of days. Several BSODs. Ran Startup Repair this morning, when the device froze at the login screen. Device can boot up now, but even more problems. Clicking on Windows icon to access Start menu and switch screen doesn't work. Nothing happens when I press the Windows Logo + X. Unable to type anything in the Search Box in the toolbar. Most of the apps on the screen don't have an icon. When you right click and open, receive a message that "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file"

:)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.