Troubleshooting Windows 10 can be challenging, especially when encountering critical errors that disrupt everyday tasks. In this article, we delve into the perplexing issue of the Start Menu Critical Error, offering practical solutions to restore its functionality swiftly and effectively.
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Causes of Critical Error in Windows 10 Start Menu
If you are experiencing a critical error in your Windows 10 Start Menu, there are a few potential causes and ways to fix it. One possible cause is a conflict with a recently installed app or update. To fix this, try accessing the Startup Settings by holding down the Shift key while clicking on the Start button, then selecting Restart. From there, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, and select either Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking.
Another potential cause is an issue with the Start Menu itself. To fix this, try using the Command Prompt or PowerShell. Open either of these tools as an administrator, then type “sfc /scannow” and hit Enter. This will scan and repair any corrupted system files that may be causing the error.
If the problem persists, you can also try using the Remote Desktop function to access your PC from another device, as this may help bypass the Start Menu issue.
How to Fix the Start Menu Critical Error in Windows 10
To fix the Start Menu Critical Error in Windows 10, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to run the System File Checker tool. This will scan and repair any corrupted system files.
3. If the issue persists, try running the “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” command in the command prompt or PowerShell. This will repair any issues with the Windows image files.
4. Restart your computer and check if the Start Menu Critical Error is resolved.
If the error message still appears, you may need to perform a system restore or reinstall Windows 10. It’s also recommended to check for any conflicting software or updates that could be causing the issue.
Enter Safe Mode and Restart Computer
To fix the critical error on your Windows 10 computer’s start menu, you can try entering safe mode and restarting your PC. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab.
4. Check the “Safe boot” option under Boot options.
5. Select the “Minimal” radio button.
6. Click Apply and then OK.
7. Restart your computer.
Entering safe mode will allow your computer to start with only the essential drivers and services, which can help resolve any conflicts causing the critical error. Once your computer restarts in safe mode, you can try accessing your start menu again and see if the error persists.
Create a New Administrator Account
To create a new administrator account and fix the critical error with the Windows 10 Start Menu, follow these steps:
1. Press the “Windows” key and “R” simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “netplwiz” and click “OK” to open the User Accounts window.
3. Click on the “Add” button to create a new user account.
4. Enter the necessary details for the new account, including a username and password.
5. Make sure to select the “Administrator” option under “Account Type.”
6. Click “OK” to create the new administrator account.
7. Restart your computer and sign in to the newly created administrator account.
8. Once logged in, press the “Windows” key and “X” simultaneously to open the Power User menu.
9. Click on “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
10. Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press “Enter” to scan and repair any system image corruption.
11. After the DISM scan is complete, type “sfc /scannow” and press “Enter” to run a system file check.
12. Restart your computer and check if the Start Menu critical error has been resolved.
By creating a new administrator account and performing these troubleshooting steps, you can fix the critical error with the Windows 10 Start Menu and regain access to your apps and settings.
Temporary Hide Cortana from Taskbar
To temporarily hide Cortana from the taskbar, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar.
2. Select “Cortana” from the context menu.
3. Hover over “Hidden” in the submenu that appears.
4. A new submenu will appear with three options: “Show Cortana icon,” “Show search box,” and “Hidden.”
5. Select “Hidden” to temporarily hide Cortana from the taskbar.
By hiding Cortana, you can troubleshoot and fix the critical error in the Windows 10 Start menu without any potential conflicts. Remember that this is a temporary solution and Cortana will reappear the next time you restart your computer.
If you’re experiencing errors with your Start menu, such as the “Critical Error – Your Start menu isn’t working” message, there are several ways to fix it. Make sure to check for any updates for your Windows 10 and restart your computer. If the problem persists, you can try resetting the Start menu layout or using the Windows PowerShell tool to fix any corrupted files.
For more detailed instructions on fixing the Windows 10 Start menu critical error, please refer to our article titled “Fix Windows 10 Start Menu Critical Error.”
Run the System File Checker
To fix the critical error on your Windows 10 Start Menu, you can try running the System File Checker. This tool helps identify and repair any corrupted system files that may be causing the issue.
Here’s how to run the System File Checker:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu that appears.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time.
4. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and check if the critical error is resolved.
Running the System File Checker can help fix common issues with the Start Menu, such as access problems or error messages. If the problem persists, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.
Update Windows System
To fix the critical error on your Windows 10 Start Menu, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. Go to the “Services” tab and check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services”.
4. Click on “Disable all” and then click on “Apply” and “OK”.
5. Go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager”.
6. In the Task Manager, disable all the startup items by right-clicking on each one and selecting “Disable”.
7. Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
8. Click on “OK” and then restart your computer.
9. After the restart, check if the Start Menu is working properly.
If the issue persists, you may need to perform a clean boot or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.
Download the Start Menu Troubleshooter
1. Visit the Microsoft website at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10.
2. Scroll down and click on “Download troubleshooter for Windows 10 Start Menu”.
3. Save the troubleshooter file to your computer.
4. Locate the downloaded file and double-click on it to run the troubleshooter.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix any issues with your Start Menu.
6. Once the troubleshooter has completed its scan and repairs, restart your computer.
7. Check if the Start Menu is now functioning properly.
If you continue to experience the Critical Error with your Start Menu, it may be necessary to perform additional troubleshooting steps or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.
Reinstall the Start Menu and Re-register Cortana
To fix the critical error with your Windows 10 Start Menu, you can try reinstalling the Start Menu and re-registering Cortana. Follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu that appears.
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}.
3. Wait for the process to complete, then close the PowerShell window.
4. Next, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter.
5. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
6. Right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value EnableXamlStartMenu and set its value to 0.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
After following these steps, your Start Menu and Cortana should be reinstalled and re-registered, fixing the critical error.
Restore System and Reset the Computer
To restore your system and reset your computer, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key and the letter “R” simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “ms-settings:recovery” in the box and click “OK”.
3. In the Recovery settings page, click on “Get started” under the “Reset this PC” section.
4. Choose whether you want to keep your files or remove everything, based on your preference.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
If you’re still experiencing the Critical Error with the Start Menu after resetting your PC, you can try the following additional steps:
1. Press the Windows key and the letter “I” simultaneously to open the Settings app.
2. Go to “Update & Security” and click on “Check for updates” to make sure your Windows 10 is up to date.
3. If there are any available updates, install them and restart your computer.
4. If the issue persists, you can try creating a new user account and see if the Start Menu works fine there.
5. If the new user account doesn’t have the same problem, you can transfer your files and settings to the new account and continue using it.
These steps should help you fix the Critical Error and restore the functionality of your Start Menu in Windows 10.
