How to Get Your Windows 10 Start Menu Back

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Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: October 10, 2024

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Repairing Corrupt Files

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Reinstalling Windows Apps

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Q&A

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Tips

If you recently updated to Windows 10 and you can't find your Start Menu, all is not lost. There is a way to get it back.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Repairing Corrupt Files

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1
See if you have any right click options at the Start Menu location. If you do, select Task Manager.
- If you can't get to it that way, do the '3 Finger Salute' (Ctrl+Alt+Delete). That will bring up several options, one of which is the Task Manager.
In Task Manager, go to File and then Run new task.

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3
Type in 'powershell' and make sure that 'Create this task with administrative privileges.' is marked.
- This is what you will be seeing.
4
Run the System File Checker. Type in (or paste) 'sfc /scannow' after the C:/ prompt.
- It will run. Depending on your computer, it could be fairly quick or take a little while.
It may correct the problem there. Read what the screens says. Perhaps, even take a screenshot of it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Reinstalling Windows Apps

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While the apps aren't the problem, it does fix the issue.
3
Type in 'powershell' and then type (or paste) the following:
- Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Your Start Menu should be working now.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I get the start menu back that was on the computer when I purchased it?

milo demoines

Community Answer

If you had an older OS installed with a different start menu when the computer was first purchased then you will have to downgrade.

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Question

My menu has disappeared. I no longer have the list of programs installed or the option to sleep, shut down, or restart.

Community Answer

Download classic shell at classicshell.net. There will be a programs list. Also, choose classic.

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Question

I tried the Get-Appx... command and got an error message "access denied." Any other suggestions?

Community Answer

Open PowerShell as an administrator and click "Yes" on the UAC prompt.

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