Windows 10 critical error – start menu and cortana aren’t working

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Updated to Win 10 (big mistake I’m afraid). Doing OK for a couple weeks then suddenly signed on to find this message “Critical error Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in” Can’t fix it. Tried Windows forums and tech support (couldn’t get a chat set). Nothing worked. Most involved editing things I have no business messing with. I run a small research business from my home so I can’t really afford to have my computer down. Neither can I afford to take it to a shop to fix. I’m hoping someone here can help. Thank goodness I have an old laptop available, though it’s crawling slow. Without another access, how in the world could you even start to fix this since it won’t let me do anything except sign out. Please tell me what to do. And then how to get out of Win 10 and back to 8. (I prefer 7, but 8 is what this new computer came with). Please hurry. And thanks
Karen

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And then how to get out of Win 10 and back to 8. (I prefer 7, but 8 is what this new computer came with). Please hurry. And thanks
Karen

Ms. Karen, I feel your pain.
Maybe this page can help.
In Win10 you have 1 month after the original install to revert back to the previous operating system.
Good luck!

And BTW: If you liked Win7 try Classic Shell; works like a charm and is free (although you may donate if it helps you).

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Some of the many affected by this error have overcome it by uninstalling Avast antivirus.

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Trust me, NOTHING works. For instance, I don’t know how many times I have seen so-called “experts” suggesting to uninstall the anti-virus Avast like mentioned in a reply to your thread. That is total bs, pure and simple. These people have no idea what they’re talking about!

I made a point of saying that uninstalling Avast had worked for some of the many affected by this error:

“Uninstalled Avast then things worked again.”
Critical Error: Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix this for you the next time you sign in.

“Uninstalling AVAST solved the problem, but had to restart Windows in safe mode to be able to Uninstall it.”
“Just go to Avast, and upgrade to the latest version, worked for me instantly.”
“UPDATE: IT seems latest version of AVAST (10.3.2225) is working”
Windows 10 Issues: Cortana And Start Menu Show Critical Error

“My issue went away when I uninstalled Avast.”
“Uninstall avast or any other anti-virus you have installed,this solved the problem for me and my friends.”
“Critical Error: Start menu and Cortana aren’t working.” help?

“I read on some forum that uninstalling Avast ( if you have it installed ) solves the issue. I tried it and it worked. It might work for you as well!”
“On a guess I uninstalled Avast and shut down. On restart the problem now appears to be resolved.”
“I decided “what the hell”, deleted Avast, and did the sign off and restart procedures following the instructions on-screen. Miracle of miracles, it worked.”
“If you guys have Avast installed. uninstall it, worked for me.”
“Uninstalling Avast Anti-virus fixed this for me (and many others, so I read).”
* Critical Error * Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working.

“I successfully resolved the error by uninstalling the avast anti-virus”
Critical Error

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If things were working OK for a couple weeks, what changed? New programs installed? Programs updated? Hardware added? Drivers updated?

Was System Restore enabled? If so, did you try a system restore?

Joe

--Joe

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Those posts re. Avast don’t prove a thing.

They prove that 13 people solved the critical error by removing Avast. It was the cause for those few.

Yes, that’s probably a tiny percentage; but there’s not yet a known solution that works for everyone.

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We have now fixed 2 computers by following this method I found on You Tube. It has worked for us. I saw an article that the problem surfaces when Windows 10 accesses the memory so I gave it a go. It worked. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TJKDvBAYHAoqpf8gutCfg

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@Dan,

Just because you have a problem does not mean it is anything approaching gross incompetence on Microsoft’s part. There have been and continue to be many millions of successful upgrades. I’ve upgraded three very different machines without a hitch. All continue to run well. Although you have not specifically enumerated your problem and attempted troubleshooting steps a stubborn problem can be very irksome making your anger and frustration understandable. However, trashing another members posts with no other explanation than “because I said so” is not being reasonable. While the software in question may not be the ultimate reason for a significant subset of people removing it has allowed them to use their systems. Because of the vast variety of configurations and the level at which A/V software must interact with Windows I don’t think you can completely rule it out as you have.

Joe

--Joe

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Go ahead, ban me from this forum since you’re an all-powerful administrator.
You can call me abusive, angry, whatever, I don’t care.

Honestly, I just think it ‘s unfortunate to see self-proclaimed computer-savvy people like you celebrate mediocrity by defending Microsoft and that piece of garbage that is Windows 10!

I don’t really care how angry you are, this forum has rules that everyone needs to respect. Here there are no self proclaimed computer savvy people, but we do get a few bad mannered people. They don’t last long, though. Consider yourself warned.

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I had the same “critical error” message a few days ago. I signed out but my machine froze, necessitating a shut down with the Power button.
After restarting, everything seemed normal and has been since.
The interesting thing is, I had Cortana disabled, but the process was still running in Task Manager. However after this issue, the process has gone,( which I wanted anyway but didn’t want to do a registry tweak.)
Bit of a mystery.

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I installed Windows 10 on 08/19/15 and it worked fine for 2 days. On the 08/21/15, I started up the computer and found that the start menu, search and Action center were unresponsive. After reading fixes and not having any luck, I downloaded a new ISO file and did a reinstall from that. The results were the same. I loaded the ISO into a virtual box and it worked fine. I just uninstalled Avast as this post suggests and saw no difference. One of the fixes I read was to add a new user, I can’t do that either.

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After my daughters computer failed with the message “Critical Error, Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working” I have put off installing Windows 10. Thought it might be safe now, but no, this morning that dreaded message appeared. I read an article that Windows 10 accesses the memory and somehow that can cause the error. I found this video on you tube and it works. Has fixed both computers. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TJKDvBAYHAoqpf8gutCfg

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After my daughters computer failed with the message “Critical Error, Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working” I have put off installing Windows 10. Thought it might be safe now, but no, this morning that dreaded message appeared. I read an article that Windows 10 accesses the memory and somehow that can cause the error. I found this video on you tube and it works. Has fixed both computers. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TJKDvBAYHAoqpf8gutCfg

None of the youtube fixes have worked for me. I’m just getting this messge for the Start Menu. Lots of upset people here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_cortana/critical-error-start-menu-and-cortana-arent/d0a892fa-949a-4771-9f93-55a75a71df87. Only “solution” has been to drag the error message under the taskbar.

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