Windows start menu is empty

DustyB · 07 Dec 2019

Some time ago I suddenly lost all menu tiles. I can create new tiles but all previous tiles are gone. I've created new ones for the programs I frequently use but nothing for those programs I seldom use. Does anyone know what caused this? Years ago before I retired I seem to recall we had this happen at work from time to time. Then tech support would say the "user profile was corrupt" and they would create a new one for us. Is that something that needs to be done on my computer now? How is this done?

Thanks,
Dusty B

Win 10 Home, version 1809, build 17763.864

Brink · 07 Dec 2019

Hello Dusty, and welcome to Ten Forums.

If you like, you could see if resetting the Start layout back to default using the tutorial below may help.

Reset Start Layout in Windows 10

DustyB · 07 Dec 2019

Oh dear, that didn't go so well. Running the reg file, I lost the two dozen or so tiles I had created. It did give me five or six tiles but for nothing useful.

Brink · 08 Dec 2019

I'm afraid that resetting the Start layout returns it back to default. You'll need to add back the others.

Did it restore the default tiles to the Start layout for you?

If you like, you can backup and restore your Start layout as needed.

Backup and Restore Start Layout in Windows 10

DustyB · 08 Dec 2019

Your first suggestion only restored the following. I'm not sure why these were chosen to be restored.

Brink · 08 Dec 2019

It would have restored the default tiles for OEM/Windows apps still installed.

DustyB · 12 Dec 2019

For some reason it didn't restore anything but those shortcuts shown in the screen shot. Not only that it left the tiles scattered in those groups with a lot of blanks.

Brink · 12 Dec 2019

The blank spots are where other default apps would have gone, but may have been uninstalled.

Are you able to "Pin to Start" all the apps you wanted? If not, what is missing?

If so, it may be best to manually "Pin to Start" the apps you want, unpin the ones you don't, and arrange tiles on Start to how you want.

Afterwards, back up your Start layout to be safe in case you may need to restore it in the future.

mrgeek · 12 Dec 2019

DustyB said:

Your first suggestion only restored the following. I'm not sure why these were chosen to be restored.

Simply re-pin the Apps you want. For programs, find the exe and r-click 'Send to desktop (create shortcut). Find this hidden folder - C>Users>YourUserName>AppData>Roaming>Microsoft>Windows>Start Menu>Programs. Then copy or Move Desktop shortcuts to this location (edit 'shortcut' in name, if desired}. Open Start Menu, all should be there, pin ones you want to create Tiles.

DustyB · 12 Dec 2019

Yes, it pretty easy to pin the items I want to the start menu. The left hand column still lists all my installed programs. I can pin each one I use often and still get to those that don't have tiles. Deleting the registry item did restore the programs list on the left.