What to do if the start menu does not work in Windows 11

Although it may not seem like it, the error of running out of the Start Menu in Windows 11 is more common than you can imagine, a problem that was also suffered in Windows 10 and that it seems that the new version has inherited. Let’s see how we can fix it.

The start menu not working is something that happened in Windows 10 and that has also happened in Windows 11, since there are users who have experienced and expressed it in the networks.

The causes can be multiple, from a failure in the system process to more complex problems such as damaged startup and execution files.

We are going to see everything we can do to solve this problem. We advise you to save the work or works you need as a security measure before doing anything.

Index of contents:

Windows Explorer

One of the simplest ways to fix the Start bar problem is to restart Windows Explorer from the taskbar.

To do this we must do the following:

• The first thing is to press the keys Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
• We look for the Windows Explorer process in the tab processes.
• Now we click with the right mouse button on top of Windows Explorer and select Finish homework.
• We can also restart File Explorer by clicking on Archive and then in run new task
• At that time we put explorer.exe and click on To accept.

Restart background services

It may be that the service running in the background is causing the problem that the Start menu is not running.

If we want to restart it from the Windows background, we must perform the following steps:

• We return to Task Manager (you know, by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete).
• Let’s go to the tab Details and look for the service called StartMenuExperienceHost.exe
• Right click on it and select Finish homework. A warning message will appear.
• We click on end process to confirm.

Don’t worry because this process restarts automatically.

If restarting StarMenuExperienceHost.exe didn’t work, try these other services:

• SearchIndexer.exe
• SearchHost.exe
• runtimebroker.exe

Update drivers

The whole problem may be because the graphics drivers are not up to date and therefore suffer from incompatibility with this part of Windows 11.

For the drivers to be up to date, just do this:

• We press the keys Windows + X and we select Device administrator.
• Within Display adapters we must press the right button inside our graphics card, and then select update driver.
• Now we must click on Search for drivers automatically and wait until this process is complete. If the drivers were installed correctly we can click on the option Check for updated drivers on Windows Update.
• Once updated, we close the window and check if the problem has been corrected. And if you have more than one controller, you should do the same for each one.

Shell Experience Packs

All the applications and elements of the Windows interface are handled from the Shell. A good solution to our problem may be to re-register the packages that carry the entire start menu theme.

It may sound complicated, but it is easier than it seems at first, if we follow the steps correctly:

• We press Windows + X and we select Windows Terminal (Admin).
• We write the following command in the window that just came out: Get-appxpackage -all *shellexperience* -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “appxmetadataappxbundlemanifest.xml”)}
• Then we press Enter and let the process run.

search index

Search is a part of the Windows start menu, so if this doesn’t work it may affect the entire menu. Although previously we already restarted the background service of this function, now what we are going to do is reinstall it completely.

To do this we must do the following:

• Press Windows + R and paste this text and then press Enter: control /name Microsoft.IndexingOptions
• A window called indexing options.
• We’re going to have to click on Modify and in the next window click on show all locations.
• We uncheck all locations and then click To accept.
• Now that we’re back in Indexing Options, click on Advanced Optionswhich causes another window to open.
• Now we must click on Rebuild.
• Once the process has finished, the most convenient thing is to restart and check if the error continues.

Disable XAML processing

If for some other reason we have altered the Windows registry, we must recover it.

To achieve this, you must do the following:

• We press Windows + R and we write regedit then press okay.
• Now we must go to the following folder: ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced
• Once there, click with the right mouse button on an empty space to the right in the Advanced folder.
• We select New later DWORD (32-bit value) and assign it the name EnableXamlStartMenu.
• We double-click the new value and make sure the Value Data field is set to 0.
• Now we close everything and restart Windows to see if it works.

Uninstall third-party start menu

In case we have ever installed a start menu, but by application, it may be that there is no compatibility at this time for whatever reason and that is why neither of them works.

The best thing is that we uninstall that program or programs, even if we are not using them and they are disabled, since they may have received an update that is the cause of the failure that we have on the computer.

• For that you have to go to Setting of Windows by pressing the keys Windows + I.
• Then click on Applicationsthen enter Applications and features.
• Next, we look for any start menu application that is on the computer by clicking on the three points that appear next to each of the apps.
• Within those points you just have to click on uninstall.

It may be that you installed this program a long time ago, it may even be installed from when you had Windows 10 on your computer and you don’t even remember what it’s called.

The most common programs are:

• Open-Shell-Menu
• Home11
• StartAllBack
• StartIsBack++
• Start Menu X

With everything you just saw, the problem should have been solved, and you can enjoy your start menu without glitches.

You can tell us on our social networks what has been the way in which everything returned to normal.

If you have not succeeded and you continue with the problem. You will have no other way than to reinstall the Windows 11 operating system so that everything starts from scratch.