FIX: Start Menu won’t show up in Windows 10
- The Start Menu is one of the most iconic features in Windows 10, along with Microsoft's personal assistant, Cortana.
- Here something you may not know: You can customize the size of the Start Menu. If you want to find out how, check out this article for more information.
- If you're looking for more guides on how to fix common Start Menu issues, check out this page for our best articles.
One of the most iconic features of Windows as an OS is the Start Menu from which pretty much every other program is launched. However, some errors and issues can prevent it from appearing, even when you try to access it.
And if it somehow doesn’t show up due some system error, that could be a huge disappointment. Fortunately, there’s a solution if your Start Menu doesn’t show up in Windows 10.
How do I make the Start menu appear again?

1. Use PowerShell commands
- Go to Search and type powershell
- Right-click on the PowerShell icon and select Run as Administrator
- In PowerShell enter the following key and press Enter:
- Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
- Wait for PowerShell to execute the command
- A few errors might show up, ignore them
- When everything is finished try to open Start Menu again
There are a lot of factors in your system that could prevent your Start Menu from showing up, but Windows PowerShell could solve them for just a few moments.
2. Use the Registry Editor
- Press Windows key and R at the same time and type Regedit
- Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion ImmersiveShellLauncher
- Click Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UseExperience
- Double-click the newly created item and set the value to 0
- Click OK, close the Registry Editor and then restart your computer
If the PowerShell solution somehow didn’t work for you, you can try to fix your problem with Registry Editor, because your problem may lay somewhere in the registry.
Can’t access the Registry Editor? Things aren’t as scary as they seem. Check out this guide and solve the issue quickly.
If you follow these methods, you should be able to solve your annoying Start Menu problem in Windows 10.
If you have any additional comments or suggestions, please write them down in the comments section below.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2015 and has been since revamped and updated in March 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in March 2015 and was revamped and updated in March 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
the first method always comes through for me.
you an IT genius!
The second option works for me as well. Thank you Windowsreport you guys are wonderful
none worked!!!!
oh my, the first one just saved my life, thanks for figuring this out!
non of the 2 worked for me.
did you figure out how to get the start button or any taskbar button to work yet? im having the same problem and couldnt solve it
thanks
Method 1 worked for me, thanks!
I have done this three times, and second one works for a short time then when i defragment or run a Reg Repair, it reverts back again to not working. Due to my computer needing to be at its best at all times, i run the maintenance on a regularly schedule time frame. I need to know why it wont stay and how to fix it permanently.
2nd one worked for me as well. Thank you.
2nd one worked, thank you!
Second method worked for me – thank you!
Second method resolved my issue. Skipped the first method.
Thanks for figuring this out.
Thanks the second method worked great.
Hi, glad that helped you!
I had issues with the red text errors. I had edge open as I was reading the instructions and one other thing that opens automatically during start up that I had to kill in task manager and then it worked fine. I think that there is something that has to be read or overwritten that was being used by those apps.
I tried all of these fixes and none worked. I uninstalled Avast and it worked like a champ. Installed AVG with no problems.
none of these fixed it
just red shit on power shell
My Start Menu opens and closes immediately, I found though if I click and hold for 1-2 secs it will stay open flawlessly. Gonna take some getting used to.
The powershell worked in that the start menu works but it disppears within a second or two before i have a chance to click on anything
How long should it take? Its taking a while…
Just saying there is a chance (like me) for a different case.. Like there is nothing wrong with the Start Menu, just it’s not responding
In case of that, try running Task Manager, you can either use RUN (Windows button + R) type “taskmgr” or combination of ctrl + shift + esc, then kill or restart a process called Windows Explorer. If it doesn’t exist in the process list, try Windows + E, then check taskmgr again.