Problems with Start Menu/Search Windows (Windows 10)

taid · 31 Mar 2018

I seem to have some odd things going on with my Windows 10 computer last couple of days.

When I type in the Search Windows box sometimes nothing happens, nothing I type appears. I don’t think it’s a keyboard problem as I’ve just typed this using MS Word with the same pc/keyboard combination. Also when I start an application from the start screen, the start screen does not go away so the application runs behind it, if that makes sense. I can tell the application is running as its icon appears in the task bar. I then have to click the icon, click on the Start button or click on an unused portion of the screen to get rid of the start screen and get to the application.

I have tried a system restore to a point a couple of days ago which has made no difference. I only have one restore point. I have also run MalwareBytes and EsetOnLine and my machine appears clean so I don’t think that’s the problem. Running system file checker and checkdisk have not helped.

Incidentally these issues appear intermittent. Any ideas?

dalchina · 31 Mar 2018

Are you in tablet or full screen mode perhaps? Although that doesn't quite seem to match what you are reporting.

Create a new user for test purposes and compare behaviour. If the same, suggests Windows corruption or the same 3rd party somehow interacting badly.

If not a setting problem or a 3rd party program (you could compare running processes or do a clean boot to check) then you could try an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all progs and data and most settings (instructions in Tutorial section).

taid · 01 Apr 2018

Thanks for the suggestions...

I have checked and the problem is not with the tablet/full screen setting, the problem is there on both settings.
I have created a new user and the problems appear to be still present.

I am considering your 'in-place upgrade repair install' suggestion.

To date my experience of Windows 10 has not been very positive and when MS tells me that 'your files will be saved' or such I have lost stuff...but if this is the only way to go then I really have no choice.

One interesting thing I notice but maybe not relevant is that ocassionally when the pc is on but not in use the small revolving icon will appear near the cursor and blink regularly. I have checked in device manager - performance and the graph shows a small regular peak every ~5 seconds, maybe irrelevant...

Thanks dalchina for your input and suggestions. I'd always thought of the Search Windows as being one of the myriad of irrelevant things included in W10 but it's quite handy and I miss it !!!

dalchina · 01 Apr 2018

Apart from the need to control updates (relatively easy especially in Pro once you know but confoundedly irritating as default) I've found Win 10 pretty reliable. No BSODs due to Windows. I know others have had bad experiences, esp. with mix of hardware/drivers vs upgrades.

Oh, and making it look decent... and not using its default Start Menu which is relatively useless for inherited deeply nested large start menus which all Win 10 Start Menu emulators make a mess of.

Certainlt as a new user makes no difference, consider an in-place upgrade repair- or round the corner is - yes- the next big upgrade.

The other thing to do for future ref. is to start using disk imaging (e.g. Macrium Reflect-free) to external storage + backup of current documents later than your last image as another means of recovery.

Consider too any changes you may have made in the meantime, and before attempting the in-place upgrade run
chkdsk c: /scan
as a matter of course - and if this fails, then run
chkdsk c: /F
to hopefully effect repairs - to the file system at least.

taid · 12 Apr 2018

dalchina - thanks again for your suggestions.

I think I'll take the Media Creation Tool Route.

From the Tutorial I can't see a point where there is an option to select the appropriate flavour of W10 - Pro, Home etc, will this happen automatically, my present Pro being detected by the upgrade? I'll also presumably need to change a couple of other things - time, UK English etc?

Ironically I've been using Casper for a couple of years to clone my C drive on my old XP machine and I was in the process of re-arranging things when W10 started playing up so no backup to fall back on! Casper is back up and running so I have my files copied to my D drive - just in case...

Thanks again for your help.