Start, Cortana and notifications don't work

Alfred001 · 14 Dec 2017

When I click on start the start menu doesn't come up and notifications like reminders don't work any more. I don't get reminded of the set reminders. Also, when I click on the notifications button the notifications menu doesn't come up. Cortana, also, won't come up when I click on her.

I've tried using the media creation tool, or whatever it's called, to create a bootable USB and I've done the repair installation thing twice and the situation remained the same. I've also installed many updates, including the recent big one and it hasn't changed hte situation.

I've done virus scans with multiple antiviruses and nothing came up.

Any ideas?

simrick · 16 Dec 2017

Hi.
Have you tried making a new user account (admin level) and check if everything is working in it? It could be that your user account has become corrupted for some reason.

Alfred001 · 20 Dec 2017

I'm trying to add another account in settings, but when I click on "add someone else to this pc" I see a window pop up for a split second and then disappears. This happens every time I click. Maybe this is also part of my WIndows being busted.

dmccoy · 20 Dec 2017

A few things you can try if you dont want to perform a full clean install

Option 1:

Windows All in One Repair Tool
Windows Repair (All In One) Download
Download either the portable or install program
1. Start computer in Safe Mode
2. Disable any Anti-Virus programs
3. Start the program
4. When program first starts it will run quick file check
5. Click on the X button after the scan shows Done!
6. Click on Settings tab and Select Check for Updates
7. Click on Pre-Repair Steps Tab and Run All 4 Steps
8. Select both Registry Backup and Create System Restore
9. Click Presets: All Repairs
10. Click Start Repairs

For Best Results Run the Repairs option Twice!

Option 2:

From an elevated command prompt run the following command

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

simrick · 20 Dec 2017

Alfred001 said:

I'm trying to add another account in settings, but when I click on "add someone else to this pc" I see a window pop up for a split second and then disappears. This happens every time I click. Maybe this is also part of my WIndows being busted.

Please try this - Option #6
Add Local Account or Microsoft Account in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials
.

Alfred001 · 31 Dec 2017

simrick said:

Please try this - Option #6
Add Local Account or Microsoft Account in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials
.

I did this and it said in command prompt that it was done successfully, but after a restart I see that no account was added.

titetanium · 31 Dec 2017

If you created a local account via the command prompt, you don't need to restart the pc to begin to use the new account. Just sign out of your current account and sign in the new account. It will run the oobe setup after which you should be able to use the start menu for troubleshooting purposes.

Alfred001 · 31 Dec 2017

You were right, I switched user and the test account I created was there, however when I logged into it the same problems were there.

dalchina · 01 Jan 2018

If you have a System restore point prior to when this started happening- or a disk image (we constantly recommend people use disk imaging routinely) you could use those.

Otherwise:

Which is your Windows build?
Windows key + R, winver

I suggest you try an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all programs and data and most settings
-but mustbe done with an iso matching your build.

This was the approach that worked here:
Start/Notification/Cortana/Search Stop Working Solved - Page 2 - Windows 10 Forums

Alfred001 · 01 Jan 2018

Unfortunately, no restore point.

The Win version is Win 10 pro N 1709 16299.98. I have the latest big update.

I tried the repair install 2x, but the problem remained.

The problems described on the thread you link to are exactly like mine, except that apparently it was intermittent for that fellow. Windows would boot and it would work normally for a while and then hit. With me it's this way all the time.