How to Fix Windows 10 Creators Update Start Menu Issues.

If you have recently updated to the Windows 10 Creators update you may find that some of your start menu apps and programs no longer launch correctly. The main offending program that probably first brought your attention to the issue was the Control panel. When searching for the control panel from the start menu you will notice that you cannot click on it. This guide will show you how to restore full functionality to your start menu, fixing these unresponsive apps/programs.

How to Add a Control Panel Shortcut to the Windows 10 File Explorer. 

Before starting this guide double check that you have the latest version of Windows 10, as it is possible that Microsoft has patched the issue causing unresponsive apps in the start menu. To do this launch the Settings app, go to Updates & Security, then click check for updates. If there are any available updates, download and install them. Once they have been installed and you have performed a restart, check to see if the start menu has been fixed. If it hasn’t keep reading.

Pre-Start Check: Backup your PC.

If there weren’t any updates available or the latest update still didn’t fix the issue, there are a few more steps you can try. However, before starting these steps, make sure you have a backup of your data, incase something goes wrong.

You should also have a restore point set. If you aren’t 100% sure how to create a restore point, open the start menu, type restore, then select Create a Restore Point when it shows on the list. From the new window that appears click Create in the bottom right section of the screen, then follow the instructions given by Windows.

Method 1: Create a New User Profile.

This isn’t the most ideal fix, but it does work and should fix your start menu problems, without having to use the Command Prompt or the Powershell tools. To create a new user account, you’ll need to press Win+R then type in Control Panel, Next, select User Accounts > Change Account Type > Add New User in PC Settings. You’ll see a couple of options that allow you to add users. This newly created Windows account should almost certainly have a fully functional start menu. Now all you have to do is migrate all of your content over.

Note: Keep your original account as a bug this big should be fixed pretty quick by Microsoft.

Method 2: Fix Using Command Prompt (CMD)

To start this fix, you will first need to open the Windows Command Prompt tool as admin. You can do this by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting it from the list.  When you have the cmd window open, enter the following command line and press enter.

sfc /scannow

This will start Windows scanning your system to see if there are any discrepancies/errors.

Note: If the scan comes up with no issues move onto the next method.

If the scan finishes with a message such as:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some (or all) of them.

You’ll need to run another command to see if these issues can be resolved, so enter the following:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: This scan may take a fair amount of time so you’ll need to be patient.

When this scan completes hopefully you receive a message letting you know all is well and the problem has been fixed. If nothing has changed or the problem is still causing you grief, you will need to try the next method.  

Method 3: Reinstalling Windows Apps using the Powershell tool.

This next method might look quite complicated however it isn’t so bad. First, you will need to open the Powershell tool by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Windows Powershell (admin) if you don’t see the option on the list you can go to the Settings app > Personalise > Taskbar  and flip the toggle to show Windows Powershell instead of Command Prompt in Windows Key + X menu.  

Once you have the Powershell window open enter the following command then press enter:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

The Powershell tool will then light up with a bunch of codes and activity. Reinstalling your Start menu and apps. On its completion, your start menu should be back in working order. If not try Method 4.

Method 4: Copy the Contents From a New User Account.

The way this method works is to create two new user accounts, both as admin. From these accounts, you can copy the start menu information from a fresh new working account into your currently older non-working account.

• First, create the two new administrator enabled accounts. Name them whatever you like, however, something like 1 and 2 will be easier to follow.

Note: You need to have two accounts so that the one you are copying from isn’t active/logged in, otherwise windows will block you from copying the files.

• Log into account One and check that the start menu is working. If it is, log out and log into account Two.

• Once you are logged into account Two go to the address below, obviously swapping out Downloadsource.net for the username of the first account which should be One.

C:\Users\Downloadsource.net\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer\Database

• Now that you are at this location, copy all the files inside the Database folder and paste them into the exact location on the account with the broken start menu.

C:\Users\Brokenstartmenuaccount\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer\Database

Make sure you overwrite all of the files in the broken account with the new files. Whatever you do though don’t copy any files from outside the Database folder or your OS will be damaged, requiring the use of the restore point you created earlier.

Method 5: Factory Reset Windows.

This probably isn’t the advice you came here looking for, however, it is a solution to the start menu not working correctly. Reinstalling Windows 10 with a fresh copy will 100% fix the issue. There are two options available. You can either reinstall Windows and keep your files and data, or reinstall Windows with a clean slate, removing all the information on your computer including files and data. Below is a guide showing you both methods step by step.

How to Factory Reset Windows 10.  

Something you Should Consider.

Alternatively, something you should consider is waiting a little longer for Microsoft to patch the issue. Admittedly this could be in the next patch or several patches down the line but if you can handle using shortcuts and other workarounds to access the apps that don’t respond, it might be worth waiting. Especially if your only other current option is a fresh install.  

Comments