Start menu suddenly won't open at all


  1. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
       #1

    Start menu suddenly won't open at all


    Hello, I am running Windows 10 version 2004.

    After restarting Windows 10 today my Start menu has suddenly stopped working. Clicking on the Start button or pressing the Windows key on my keyboard does nothing at all. The search menu still works, but is now half its previous height.

    I have not installed any software or any patches, this has happened entirely on its own as far as I can tell.

    I have tried restarting Explorer, restarting Windows and running
    Code:
    sfc /scannow
    to no avail.

    After checking the Event Viewer it is flooded with 2 types of errors:

    The first one states:
    0x3D00: Cannot create the process for package Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy because an error was encountered while checking the user-level package status. The application cannot be started because it is currently updating.

    And the second one:
    Unable to start a DCOM Server: Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy!App as Unavailable/Unavailable.
    The error: "2147958016" Happened while starting this command: "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHo st.exe" -ServerName:App.AppXywbrabmsek0gm3tkwpr5kwzbs55tkqay.mca

    Any idea what's going on?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Windows 10 Start Menu Gets Its Own Process in Build 1903

    gives some background.

    Seems the start menu itself is being updated.

    You can try
    Start Menu Troubleshooter in Windows 10
    Clear and Reset Store Cache in Windows 10

    Just to check..
    pressing the Windows key on my keyboard does nothing at all.
    - does Win key + x work?
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    >does Win key + x work?

    Yeah, Win + X or right-clicking the Start button works perfectly.

    I've tried clearing the store cache with no results. I've also tried running the PowerShell command
    Code:
    Get-appxpackage -all *shellexperience* -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml”)}
    which is meant to re-register the start menu appx package to no avail.

    As for the Start Menu troubleshooter, I don't feel like running it since it's not from Microsoft and probably doesn't affect my problem anyway, since it's from before they switched to the Start menu having its own process.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    since it's not from Microsoft
    really? Evidence?

    Start menu suddenly won't open at all-1.pngStart menu suddenly won't open at all-2.png

    000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

    Please create a new user for text purposes. Log in as that user.

    Does the Start Menu work?

    If not, and only if not, proceed with an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all progs and data.

    You need an iso file for the build you have now; Tutorial availabel for both.

    Make sure you have at least 30Gb free on C:
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    >really? Evidence?

    It might've been made by Microsoft but they've pulled it from their site. There's probably a reason for that. And since I'm downloading it from here I have no idea if it's actually made by them.

    Anyway, I created a new user account to test if the Start Menu works there, and it does. The problem is that creating a new account somehow broke a lot of things. I have the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center app installed and instantly upon logging in to my new account it came up with multiple popups, then somehow despite already being installed the Microsoft Installer popped up, claimed to be installing it, then came up with a bunch of "Network Resource not found" errors...

    Sorry if what I'm saying makes no sense, but neither does any of this. I guess it's too much to ask for Microsoft to make sure their software works properly on multiple user accounts.

    Microsoft's help article recommends moving personal data to the new account. The problem is that I have a lot of apps installed to my user profile, which would probably all need installing again. I also have a bunch of big git repositories on my user folder, which would apparently take hours to copy. At this point I'm just thinking of taking backups and starting over.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    This is clearly specific to your user account and generalised repairs will not help.

    Try
    Reset Start Layout in Windows 10
    Restart Start Menu in Windows 10

    Noted you've tried re-registering the start menu.
    See: (different Powershell command):
    Windows 10 Can't open start menu or settings
    Re-register Start Menu in Windows 10

    Otherwise

    a. Use a system restore point if you have that enabled, if you have one, and if restoring it completes.

    b. Restore your PC from a recent disk image. tenforums again and again recommends using disk imaging routinely. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + large enough external storage; this enables you to recover from many issues quickly and without help, and can help avoid clean installs.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Alright, I tried the PowerShell command on the 3rd link and it solved my issue. I got a ton of errors, but the Start menu seems to work again.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

      My Computers


  9. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    While this problem has been fixed, I've noticed that my startup & sign-in time has noticeably and consistently increased. Even after a defrag, my sign-in time is noticeably slower than before, and it happens every time. Any ideas as to why that might be?
      My Computer


 

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