Windows 10: Windows 10 critical error, start menu not working

So i upgraded my asus F550L laptop from windows 8 i think shortly after it came out, been running fine for years. Recently went to skype someone, but hadn't used it in years so it needed an update. Updated skype. Went to sign in with my windows acc. As soon as i hit enter boom computer froze. Was still functioning, but virtually no response to clicks, things would minimise maximise minutes later, i was playing music at the time which would play for a couple seconds then stop for minutes, tried ctrl alt delete took very long to go to options screen task manager wasn't popping up after clicking, this was all bad news. Shut it down restarted.

Got to sign in screen, signed in and got stuck at welcome, the dots would freeze after a few minutes then continue, seemed to be going nowhere after half an hour or so, shut down restart.


Goes into automatic repair mode stuck at black screen for half an hour or so with mouse. Shut down restart.

I leave it overnight it gets into recovery screen in morning i try to repair windows says it cant, i exit and continue to the computer i sign in get into the computer, start taking as many files off as i could with my 8GB USB that was handy, looks like its working fine but a bit slower, I jump into system and check all the drivers etc. all updated. Try sign into skype and set it up, it works fine. shut down and leave it.

Try to restart the computer again the next day and sign in. Stuck at the welcome login screen again, leave it overnight it gets in, no names on any of the shortcuts just the images, and a message saying "critical error, start menu isnt working, sign out and we'll try and fix this when you sign back in" I quit out of skype which I believe is now on the start up menu, and try to uninstall/delete it, but i cant use start button and file explorer isn't working, nothing is working. Click the sign out button and it logs out. Try and sign back in, stuck at welcome screen again.

I didn't have time to take a proper look around the laptop, most of it is backed up to a hard drive, but at the time i was synchronising the two adn there were some files that werent on my hard drive so i dont want to wipe the whole thing yet and tbh am not sure how to do it in this situation. Any suggestions?

:)

 

Critical Error message that the Start menu isn't working

Hi Patti,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I understand your concerned. Let me help you to fix the issue.

To understand the issue better, please provide us more information.

• 
  What is the complete error message do you received?
  
• When exactly do you get this error message?

Let’s try simple troubleshooting steps and check if this helps in resolving the issue. I would suggest you to go to the below link and try the steps provided by Ravinath P

“Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

“Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

If the issue still persist, you can also visit the below link and try the steps.

Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu or Cortana

Hope this helps. Please let us know the status.

 

Windows 10 Critical error for start menu

Hi Mark,

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to you by Windows 10 Critical error for start menu.

Some customers have reported that adding a new local administrator account has resolved their Critical Error. If that doesn’t work, try removing the original administrator account now that you have a new one created.

Refer: create a local user account in Windows 10

You may also, create a new user account with different Microsoft account and check if it helps.

If you have already logged in with a Microsoft account, I suggest you to covert that Microsoft account into local account. Later login using newly created local account to create a different Microsoft account.

Step 1: To convert the account, you can do the following:

• Sign in to your Microsoft account on Windows 10.
• Click Start and then PC settings.
• Click Users and accounts and under Your Profile click Disconnect on the right of the screen.
• Enter your Microsoft account's password, and click on Next.
• Type in a Username, Password, and Password Hint that you want set for your Local account and click
  Next. Click on Sign out and Finish button.

Step 2: Create new Microsoft account

Refer: Sign in with a Microsoft account

Also, see:

Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.

Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.

Hope it helps. Get back to us with the update on Critical Error – Start menu. We are happy to help!

 

Windows 10 start menu critical error

Hi Darcey,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I apologize for the inconvenience caused. We are glad to help you.

• 
  Which are the four steps that you have tried?
  

As the issue still persist, I suggest you to create a new user account and check if the issue still persists.

Refer to the below link:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-set-up-accounts



Also refer this link:

Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.



Hope this information helps. Do contact us for further queries. We will be happy to assist you.



Regards,

Jenith