Hi, I'm John, your friendly neighborhood tech expert! I've been working with Windows systems for over a decade, and I've seen just about every issue imaginable, including a disappearing Start Menu.

Let's get you back up and running. The Start Menu is a crucial part of the Windows experience, so having it disappear can be incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to bring it back from the digital abyss.

Restart Windows Explorer

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. Before we dive into more complex fixes, let's try restarting the Windows Explorer process:


1. Right-click on your taskbar.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Look for Windows Explorer in the list of processes.

4. Right-click on it and choose Restart.

This will refresh the Windows Explorer process, which manages the desktop, taskbar, and Start Menu. Hopefully, this does the trick. If not, let's move on to the next solution.

Check for Updates

Windows updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. An outdated system could be the culprit behind your missing Start Menu:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type "Check for updates" and press Enter.
3. Click on the "Check for updates" button.
4. If updates are available, download and install them.

5. Restart your computer if prompted.

Once your system is up to date, check if the Start Menu has reappeared. If not, don't worry; we have more tricks up our sleeve.

Run the System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files can cause various problems, including a malfunctioning Start Menu. The System File Checker (SFC) can scan for and repair these files:

1. Press the Windows key and type "cmd".
2. Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
3. In the command prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.
4. Let the scan complete. This might take a while.
5. Restart your computer after the scan is finished.

The SFC will attempt to fix any corrupted system files it finds. Check if this resolves the Start Menu issue.

Create a New User Account

If the problem persists, it could be due to a corrupted user profile. Creating a new user account can help determine if that's the case:

1. Press the Windows key and type "Settings".
2. Click on "Accounts".
3. Select "Family & other users" from the left-hand menu.
4. Under "Other users", click on "Add someone else to this PC".
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.
6. Once the account is created, sign out of your current account and sign in to the new one.

Check if the Start Menu works in the new account. If it does, you might need to migrate your files and settings to the new account and discontinue using the old one.

Perform a System Restore

If all else fails, you can try performing a System Restore to a point when the Start Menu was working correctly:

1. Type "Create a restore point" in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
2. Click on System Restore.
3. Choose a restore point from before the Start Menu issue started.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.

Keep in mind that System Restore will revert your system settings and programs to a previous state.

These solutions should help you get your Start Menu back. If you're still facing problems, don't hesitate to reach out for further assistance. Remember, there's always a solution when it comes to technology!

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Just do the opposite.Click the Start button and then click the Settings command.At the Settings window, click the setting for Personalization.At the Personalization window, click the option for Start.In the right pane of the screen, the setting for "Use Start full screen" will be turned on.More items...read more >>