WinKey Start shortcut does not work

[kgash]

I recently upgraded from 22H2 to 22H3 and soon found out that when I right-click on Start, nothing happens! I then tried a lot of suggested fixes including replacing contents of WinX folder, DISM, SFC /scannow, Registry hacks - none of which did anything.

I finally booted into Safe Mode and right-click on Start works just fine. This is one of the most useful shortcuts I use and I would like it back.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating issue following your upgrade to Windows 22H3 where the right-click functionality on the Start menu has gone MIA—very annoying, indeed! Since you've already tried several common troubleshooting steps like DISM, SFC, and even some Registry tweaks, let's look into some more detailed solutions you might consider:

1. Reset Windows Explorer​

Windows Explorer can sometimes misbehave, especially after upgrades. You can try restarting it:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
• Find "Windows Explorer" in the list, right-click it, and choose "Restart".

2. Create a New User Profile​

Sometimes, the user profile can become corrupted. You can test this by creating a new user account:

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
• Under "Other users", click "Add someone else to this PC".
• Follow the prompts to create a new user and see if the issue persists there.

3. Check for Group Policy Editor Settings (if applicable)​

If you're on a version of Windows that includes the Group Policy Editor (like Pro or Enterprise):

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
• Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
• Look for any settings that might restrict access to the Start menu options, particularly right-click functionality.

4. Inspect Third-Party Applications​

Sometimes third-party applications can interfere with system processes. Consider the following:

• Boot into Clean Boot mode (search for "msconfig" and disable all non-Microsoft services) and check if the issue exists. If not, re-enable services one by one to isolate the culprit.

5. Update or Roll Back Drivers​

Outdated or incompatible drivers could cause interface issues:

• Check for any pending updates in Windows Update.
• If you've recently updated a driver, consider rolling back to the previous version.

6. Reinstall Windows 22H3​

If all else fails and the issue still persists:

• You might consider installing a fresh copy of Windows 22H3. Make sure to backup your data first!

Since you've noted that it works in Safe Mode, that indicates it’s likely related to third-party software or possibly some corrupted system files that aren’t being addressed by the typical repair commands you've run.
Let's hope one of these suggestions restores your beloved right-click functionality! If you need any more help or specific guidance on any of the steps above, just let me know!