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Question

Help with Win 10 start menu and apps

Mar 17, 2018 3:05PM PDT

After being forced to install Win 10 from win 7, I’ve had nothing but problems with Win 10 start menu and apps.
For the first couple of cumulative updates for Win 10, it worked okay.
Then, after one update the start menu and Win 10 apps won’t work.
I’ve tried every suggestion on the net and used every Microsoft checker they have and nothing fixes it.

I made a short video of the problem and posted it in my Dropbox : https://www.dropbox.com/s/qi42lhghhnlkkj5/Win10.mp4?dl=0

The first shows the ‘Shutdown’ being left click, which nothing happens, then right clicking with the option window just flashing.
The second shows what happens on right clicking on an app to remove, etc., which just flashes.
The third shows clicking on the ‘Notification’ icon which just flashes.

I’ve had to install a 3rd party start menu to use.
All my other programs work fine, just the Win 10.

Thanks for any suggestions…

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I've run into that one.
Mar 18, 2018 11:20AM PDT

For a few reasons. Most of the time it's the drivers issue. I get to hit Dell for motherboard and such drivers as well as remove any mouse and keyboard drivers the owner installed. I want the maker's motherboard, USB drivers and NO KEYBOARD OR MOUSE DRIVERS other than what Microsoft installs.

THIS HAS HAPPENED IN XP TO W10. It is not a W10 exclusive problem and very upsetting to many owners because I don't have a step by step. In forums I can only guide. You have to deal with the steps to get there. Sorry about that but with PCs all over the map, this is how I work this area.

Now there is a second cause I run into and it's some app or infection. KEYBOARD LOGGERS can reveal themselves this way as well. I like to use Grif's advice at
http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-to-remove-pup-option-603542/#post-f742c795-5881-433b-a29b-6d758efe5cd3 to see if there are such.

Finally once in a while you will get a bad mouse or pad. To test this I start by pressing the Windows Key to see if the Start menu stays up. If it does I pull out my mouse from my PC Medic bag (I carry the usual tools you see techs carry there.) Some think it's my Felix the Cat's magic bag.

Good luck,
Bob

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Nothing seems to work
Mar 18, 2018 3:04PM PDT

I’ve used the cleaners which didn’t find anything. Removed mouse and keyboard to no avail.
All the drivers are from Microsoft.
I forgot to mention that this started with one of the cumulative updates and after restarting, said something like “Unable to load personalized settings.”
Thanks for the advice…

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"All the drivers are from Microsoft."
Mar 18, 2018 3:11PM PDT

That's it. Very few PCs will work right under those conditions.

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Answer
Try Running Chkdsk Like This
Mar 19, 2018 11:29AM PDT

It seems as though the Windows 10 "upgrade" process may not install all the files correctly, or maybe they're damaged, or maybe something else, but running Chkdsk has fixed quite a few of these minor glitches. Try running Chkdsk in "repair" mode to find any damaged files and correct them. Start by opening a command prompt as an admin. RIGHT click on the Start button, choose "Command Prompt (Admin). (Or type "Command" in the search line, then RIGHT click on the "Command Prompt" listing at the top, choose "Run as admin".) Once there, type chkdsk /f /r /x, leaving the appropriate spaces between the letters as shown, then press the Enter key. You should see a note that it can't be run till a restart is done, type "Y" for yes, then press the Enter key again. Close the command prompt and restart the computer. Chkdsk will run upon restart and will take quite a while to finish.. Don't panic when the progress bar stays at 10% for a long time. It's fairly normal and the Chkdsk process may take a couple of hours.

When it's finished, it will boot to your normal startup/lock screen and you can login normally and then see if things are working correctly again.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Have tried this several times
Mar 19, 2018 11:40AM PDT

But, it finds nothing.
I also downloaded/repaired the MS Apps and that didn't help either.
Will try the chkdsk again.

I have two of these Dell 530s configured exactly the same way. The other one works fine.
I could format and start from scratch, but not sure if that would cure the problem.
These 530s have served me well over the years and I hate to lose all the old apps
I don't have disks for anymore.

Thanks for the advice...

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(NT) Be Sure To Run The "Repair" Chkdsk Per My Instructions
Mar 19, 2018 11:42AM PDT
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Ran it
Mar 19, 2018 2:15PM PDT

Didn't find anything, booted back to desktop. Sure did hang on that 12%!
What ever caused the “Unable to load personalized settings" during one of the updates
caused the problem.

I've probably made at least 10 new admin accounts and all face the same problem.
Maybe MS will issue another "cumulated" update and fix it.

Thanks for the help...

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Have to write you'll be waiting a long time.
Mar 19, 2018 2:28PM PDT

Microsoft has yet to accept they will correct the drivers for anything other than Microsoft PCs (Surface models.)