Uh-oh! You just updated your Windows PC, and now you’re staring at a scary message: “Critical Error: Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working.” Don’t panic! You’re not alone, and the fix is easier than you think. Let’s walk through it step-by-step—and make it a little fun too.
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
If you get a “Critical Error” after a Windows update, your Start Menu or Cortana may stop working. The easiest fixes usually involve restarting Windows Explorer, creating a new user account, or booting into Safe Mode. If that fails, you may need to roll back the update or do a system restore. Keep calm—this happens, and it’s totally fixable.
So What Causes This “Critical Error”?
Windows updates are supposed to improve things. But sometimes, things go sideways. The “Critical Error” often happens when:
- System files don’t update properly
- Essential services like Cortana or the Start Menu crash
- User profiles get corrupted during the update
This message locks you out of menus and search functions. It’s annoying—but not the end of the world.
Before You Do Anything Else…
Try the old faithful: a simple restart. No, really. Just press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, click the power icon at the bottom-right of the screen, and choose Restart.
If that fixes it, congratulations! You just did tech magic!
Still broken? Okay, let’s get more serious.
Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer
This is the process that controls much of your desktop—like your Start Menu and taskbar.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer in the list.
- Right-click it and choose Restart.
The screen may flicker for a second. Fingers crossed—check if your Start Menu is back.
Step 2: Use Safe Mode to Troubleshoot
If restarting Explorer didn’t help, let’s go into Safe Mode. It’s like Windows, but without all the extra fuss.
To enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11:
- Restart your PC.
- As it boots, hold down Shift and tap F8 repeatedly (timing is tricky!).
- Go to Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
- Select Enable Safe Mode.
In Safe Mode, Windows won’t load third-party apps or crashing services. If your Start Menu works here, it probably means something is misbehaving in normal mode.
Step 3: Create a New User Profile
Sometimes, your user profile gets damaged during an update. The system doesn’t like it—and rebels!
- Go to Settings (if you can).
- Click Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click Add someone else to this PC.
- Create a new local account (don’t worry about Microsoft sign-ins yet).
Log into the new account. Is the Start Menu working again? If yes, you can transfer your files to this new account and live happily ever after.
Step 4: Uninstall the Update
Sometimes the update itself causes the issue. If you want to play it safe, roll it back.
- Open Control Panel.
- Click Programs > View installed updates.
- Find the most recent update (check the install date).
- Right-click it and select Uninstall.
This doesn’t break your computer. It just goes back in time like Windows never updated—Back to the Future-style.
Step 5: Use System Restore
Still busted? Time to unleash the time machine.
System Restore takes your PC back to a previous state before things broke. Here’s how:
- Search for System Restore in the Start Search box (use another account if needed).
- Click Create a restore point.
- In the window, click the System Restore button.
- Follow the prompts and choose a restore point dated before your troubles began.
This might take time but could be worth it. Your old settings and profile will come back—like a ghost from a happier time.
What If None of That Works?
Yikes. Hopefully it doesn’t come to this, but you may have to reset Windows.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security.
- Click Recovery.
- Select Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files (important!)
This will reinstall Windows and keep your stuff. Think of it as a digital refresh. Like washing your laundry, but for files.
Tips to Avoid This Error in the Future
- Delay updates: Give others time to find bugs first (you sneaky genius!).
- Backup regularly: Use an external drive or cloud service.
- Keep drivers up to date: GPU, audio, and chipset drivers can affect system stability.
- Run regular virus scans: Malware can make Windows updates go nuts.
Let’s Wrap This Up
“Critical Error” sounds…well…critical, but we’ve just shown it’s more fixable than fatal. Whether you restart Explorer, use Safe Mode, or create a new user profile, the solution is usually just a few steps away.
Don’t let an error message ruin your vibe. Get back to work, gaming, or YouTube cat videos in no time.
Stay savvy, stay curious, and remember: you’re smarter than a stuck Start Menu.
