Windows 11

Start menu will not open

The Windows shell may be stuck.

TRY THIS FIRST

Try opening Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Check whether other apps still respond.

Start with this check

Result: Use what you find to choose the next step.

Still not working?

Save work before signing out or restarting. If the problem returns, follow the guide’s account and system-file checks instead of running bulk app re-registration commands.

Check the result: Repeat the original task after making one relevant change. If the problem returns, keep the exact message and time.

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Sources & page details

Hanki's detailed guide · Reviewed 2026-09-26

Choose the entry that matches where the error appeared. A code alone does not identify every cause. Commands are copied for you to review; this page does not run them.