Start Menu, Notifications, Edge not opening since latest update

C2Sedona · 06 Oct 2016

Hi all,
I'm brand spanking new to this forum, so if this issue has already been posted by someone else, I apologize.
Since the most recent update/update attempt (either 10/4/16 or 10/5/16, not sure which day), I can no longer open Start Menu, Notifications, Edge, Windows store (don't really use that one) -- those are the ones I know about, there may be others. My other quick-launch apps work ok, but now I cannot right-click the icons to close them; I have to close via X.
I can right-click Start menu icon to shut down, etc., but cannot access list of apps, etc.
My computer: Dell Inspiron 5537 (originally Win8) Core i5, 8GB.
Will next update fix these issues?
Is there a relatively simple fix I can easily apply?
Please & thank you for any assistance!

dalchina · 07 Oct 2016

Hi, the simplest approach, assuming it works- and it doesn't always, unfortunately.. would be to use system restore to return your PC to a point before the update.

I'd regard that as better than uninstalling the update, as we don't know what has happened.

First information: which update have you just applied? (The date doesn't necessarily define it).

If it works for you:
In Cortana's search field on the task bar, type Settings
Click Update... click update history and post a screenshot or your last couple of updates.

System Restore
Windows key + X, click Control Panel, type System in the search box, click Create a Restore point

In protection settings, if system restore is on your your C drive, then click System Restore and in the box that opens, Next.

This depends on you having enabled System Restore, and all hte above working on your broken Windows.

cereberus · 07 Oct 2016

I recommend a repair upgrade - look in tutorial section how to do this.

coldo · 08 Oct 2016

I tried all the solutions but nothing works but i succeed. Here what did i do
1- I disabled auto update.
2- Then i removed this update : kb 3194496
then restart pc and it worked well.

dalchina · 08 Oct 2016

Ok, that's good, now here's what I suggest:
Hide that update
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3183922

MS is updating the update...!... as it's caused a lot of problems.
See the News section on this site, and wait for the new update (different number).

Meanwhile you may wish to consider what we very strongly recommend to protect your system giving you an easy means of reverting to a previously working state and a full backup. If you don't already use disk imaging, you really should...

Creating disk images lets you restore Windows and all your disks and partitions to a previous working state, quickly and probably without technical help.

You can recover from:
- a failed disk drive (restore to a new one)
- ransomware (which encrypts your disk)
- user error
- unrecoverable problems from failed updates to problem programs
- unbootable PC (hardware faults aside)

Images also act as a full backup- you can extract files too.

You can even use images to help you move more easily and quickly to a new PC.

Imaging can even help you sleep at night knowing you have a second chance.

Many here recommend Macrium Reflect (free) as a good robust solution and more reliable than some others. It’s
- more feature rich
- more flexible
- more reliable
than Windows Backup and Restore system images.

It's well supported with videos, help and a responsive forum.

There are other such programs, free/commercial, some with simpler interfaces, but Macrium R is one of the most robust and reliable.

How long does it take?
SSD+ USB3 - maybe 15 mins for the first system image, less thereafter
HDD + USB2 - maybe 40-50 mins
That’s with little personal data, few programs installed.
- of course, depends how much you have on C:
(You can and should image all your partitions and disks)

Once you've created your first image, keep it updated with e.g. differential imaging- which images just changes from the first image, more quickly, and creates a smaller image file.