The issue arises when the Start menu of the user does not open/function and upon running the Start menu troubleshooter, the user gets the following message: Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost and Microsoft.Windows.Cortana applications need to be installed correctly Before proceeding, check if booting your system with the bare minimum or in the safe mode resolves the issue. Following workarounds are reported by users to temporary solve the issue:
Solution 1: Update the BIOS, Drivers, and Windows of Your PC
The incompatibility between the essential system modules (i.e., BIOS, Drivers, and Windows) may cause the issue at hand as these entities are not updated to the latest builds. In this context, updating BIOS, Drivers, and Windows to the latest releases may solve the problem.
Solution 2: Disable/Remove the Conflicting Applications
You may encounter the issue at hand if any of the installed applications is hindering the operation of the essential OS entities. In this case, removing the conflicting applications may solve the problem. As the Start menu is not working, you have to dig deeper to make these instructions work for you. Once the problematic application is found, you may keep it disabled at the system’s start or uninstall it. Following applications are reported by the users to create the issue: For elucidation, we will discuss the process for Dropbox (make sure to back up the essentials). If the issue persists, then check if disabling the Fast Startup sorts out the Start menu problem.
Solution 3: Reinstall the Graphics Driver
The corrupt graphics driver (the Nvidia drivers are reported to create the issue) may also cause the start menu issue at hand. In this context, reinstalling the graphics driver may solve the problem.
Solution 4: Edit the System’s Registry
If none of the solutions has worked for you, then editing the related registry keys may solve the problem. But keep in mind that these keys may not be available to all users. Warning: Progress at your own risk and with the extrema care as editing the system’s registry is a skillful task and if not done properly, you may cause everlasting damage to your data/PC. Before advancing, make sure to back up your system’s registry.
Disable WpnUserService
Edit Permission of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Delete the Search Key
Reset the DCOM Permissions
Solution 5: Use the PowerShell Commands
If the issue is still there, then you can reinstall the Windows Start menu by reregistering the Windows 10 apps through the PowerShell which may solve the problem.
Launch the Administrator PowerShell
As the Start menu and Cortana are not working, we may have to try some alternative ways to open the PowerShell.
Reinstall the Windows 10 Apps
Reregister the Cortana and ShellExperienceHost
Use the Local AppxPackage
Reinstall the Applications for All Users
Solution 6: Create a New Windows Account
The Start menu issue may arise if your Windows user profile is corrupt. In this context, creating another Windows user account may solve the problem. If you cannot open Computer Management at step 1, then you may execute ‘control userpasswords2’ in the Run command box to open the user management window. If you cannot open the Run command box, then you may execute any one of the following in an Administrator Command Prompt to add the new user account (you may execute it in the Advanced Options in Troubleshoot): If the issue is still there, then you may perform a DISM scan of your PC. If that did not do the trick, then you either perform an In-Place Upgrade or a clean installation of Windows.
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