📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a recurring issue where a user's Windows computer displays a "Critical Error" message related to loading Cortana and the Start Menu, prompting them to log out to resolve it temporarily. The original poster updates that Microsoft is aware of the problem and recommends logging in via Safe Mode to fix it temporarily, which appears to be a common workaround. A subsequent contributor reports that attempting the Safe Mode reboot did not resolve the issue. The overall sentiment suggests the problem is known and persistent, with temporary solutions available.

MikeHawthorne

Essential Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
6,684
Thread Author #1
Hi

A friend just called my and said that when he boots his computer, he gets this message every time.

"Critical Error, Can't load Cortana and Start Menu?

It then tells him that he needs to log out to fix the problem.

When he says OK it logs him out and then reloads, from that point on it works fine until he shuts the computer down again.

Anyone have an idea what's going on here?

I've never seen this and I don't have any idea as to what to do about it?

Mike
 

Solution
Hi

I just came back to update this.
I posted here before I looked for solutions because I was leaving right after he called me and wanted to see if anyone had an answer by tomorrow morning.

It appears that this is a common problem right now, and that Microsoft is working on a fix.

In the mean time their, MS, instructions are to log in Safe Mode, then log out and back in it normal mode.

They say that this will fix it temporarily.

Mike

MikeHawthorne

Essential Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
6,684
Thread Author #2
Hi

I just came back to update this.
I posted here before I looked for solutions because I was leaving right after he called me and wanted to see if anyone had an answer by tomorrow morning.

It appears that this is a common problem right now, and that Microsoft is working on a fix.

In the mean time their, MS, instructions are to log in Safe Mode, then log out and back in it normal mode.

They say that this will fix it temporarily.

Mike
 

Solution