Start button not working Windows 10S

How do I fix this when I can't do anything in this brain dead OS?

I'm willing to do the magic to switch to a full version of Windows 10 but I can't seem to do that either since I can't connect to the internet via WiF.
Hmmm, I can connect an Ethernet cable and though. I'll try that and see what happens.

I'll be back.

Ztruker said:

Start button not working
How do I fix this when I can't do anything in this brain dead OS?

I've occasionally seen a non-functional Start button in the full version too. Usually a Restart fixes it. Admittedly, a little awkward to do without the Start button.

Click anywhere on the Desktop then press Alt+F4 to get a shutdown menu.

I've restarted several times, no help. Can't use an Ethernet cable either as the laptop does not have an Ethernet port.

It's an HP Stream Laptop Model 14-cb012wm

Since the Start button doesn't work I can't get to the Microsoft store from Update & Security / Activation so I can't switch to a full Windows install.

I googled and found this page that has a number of options you can try. Hope it works for ya!

Windows 10 Start Menu Not Working (Solved)

Lance1 said:

I googled and found this page that has a number of options you can try. Hope it works for ya!

Windows 10 Start Menu Not Working (Solved)

The only one I haven't tried yet is How to reset the Start Menu with default Windows 10 apps and I'll try that after I boot up normally. Right now I'm running from Command Prompt off of Troubleshoot from a Shrift/Restart.

Nothing else helped and Reset failed. I'll try Malok's suggestion of the Powershell idea if I can get there with Windows 10S.

Thanks to you both.

Edit: Nope, can't run Powershell in Windows 10S.

MaloK said:

I'm no sure if it will fix your Start menu problem to upgrade to a full release, but to get to activation prompt without a working shell you can try:

Press CTRL-ALT-DEL, Click "Task Manager", Click File Menu, Select "Run new task", Type "ms-settings:activation", press enter...

I have WiFi working but I can't get to the Microsoft store from Activation. When I click on Go to the Store, nothing happens, the same as when I click on the Start button.

Ztruker said:

It's an HP Stream Laptop Model 14-cb012wm

That's quite a modest spec with just a 32 GB eMMC drive. Is this one of your thrift store machines you're trying to resurrect?

If so, then to get the Start button and the Store working you may want to try a Reset at boot, Option One here.

Reset Windows 10

No, it's a laptop belonging to one of the volunteers. I can nuke it if necessary but I really don't want to.
I already tried doing a reset and it failed, probably because there is no free space on C:. I'm working on freeing some up but it doesn't look promising.

Right now I'm compressing C:.