I installed an Windows Pro 8 to 8.1 Pro x64 on a desktop computer. Both were clean installations, no other software was installed. With Window 8.1 Pro, the start button worked for a day after all the updates, then booted the computer. Now, if I try to right click on the Start button with the mouse; nothing happens. Thinking it was a virus, I used Windows Defender to search to the for a virus and nothing found. No other Windows updates to fix the problem! To me it just another glitch in Windows!

I updated a laptop at the same time with Windows 8 to 8.1 X64, not the Pro version. The laptop was a OEM version of Windows 8. The laptop works fine with Windows 8.1 after upgrading it.

Vozzy

What happens if you use win + "X"?

Have you tried re-installing the mouse driver?

Hi, 

Please try to copy WinX folder under C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows into C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows.

If it doesn't work, please run following command to repair system: 

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

If the issue persists, let's test the issue in New user account. 

If all these steps doesn't fix your issue, please capture the actions during this process by using Process Monitor:

Process Monitor v3.05

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

How to use, please refer to this article:

Using Process Monitor to capture system events

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/119038.aspx

Keep post.

I had the same issue starting the same day. I noticed Thursday 11/23/13 my touchscreen was unresponsive a bit, and most of all when I started the apps showed as normal, but when I opened the desktop I could not get back to the apps. I could swipe through my open apps, but could not get to the start menu apps home screen.

This above command line worked and fixed the issue. I had to restart for it to kick in. I was excited to find this.

Thank you for your work.

Tom

Hi,

Sorry to get back with you so late. I tried what you wrote. Did not work. I just reinstalled Windows Pro 8 to 8.1 Pro x64 on my desktop computer again. This time, I installed Acronis True Image 2014 to back it up as I install programs to maybe find out if any is causing the stat button not to work!

Hi, 

What about your issue now?

As your last description, I know that you would like to try to re-install system and see what's going on. 

I formatted and re-installed Windows Pro 8 to 8.1 Pro x64 on my desktop computer again. I installed Acronis True Image 2014 to back it up as I install programs. I backed up Windows 8.1 with every program I installed. I found out, if I don't re-boot the computer every time I install a program, it can mess up the Windows Start button. I used Acronis True Image 2014 - the backup to fix Windows 8.1, a couple of times, when I forgot to re-boot the computer. If I installed several programs at time, this may mess the Windows Start button up, but don't know why? Just install programs and re-boot, this seemed to work for me. Acronis True Image 2014, also work for going back before you install something!

• Marked as answer by Kate LiMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Friday, February 28, 2014 3:16 AM

A couple of questions:

How much is your time worth, and how much of it have you wasted trying to deal with the free upgrade from Windows 8 to 8.1?

My strong advice (to you and others reading):  Get a Windows 8.1 disc and install a fresh, clean, NOT UPGRADED OS from that.  Hint:  I've done this; it works a lot better.

Microsoft should be ashamed of itself for suggesting people upgrade an operating system in place, and even more so for doing little engineering to ensure that doing so can be successful.

 

I have the same problem. The only items that work in the pop up menu is run, search and the shutdown options. Everything else does nothing. Tried the suggestions above, still nothing. Can't do a "clean" install because this is an OEM machine and M$ in their infinate wisdom has decided that I should not be allowed to have install disks for an OS that I paid for!

• Edited by perry_59 Monday, April 28, 2014 5:09 PM

Perry59, this might be a way to get your OS back to a pristine, working state:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

 

The first process take so much time :( 

Same error.

In my case to solve the problem I had to re-install the video card driver (AMD) and after that everythings works fine.

• Edited by Gianluca Cavaglieri Thursday, June 12, 2014 2:37 PM

Try pressing "Windows key + X" , then it starts working again. Well, it worked for me.

Have a good day!!

This happens to me randomly and what fixes it is the following.

open task manager

Right click on Windows Explorer

Select Restart

Those of you finding Explorer features stop working, something to try on a hunch...

In the Folder Options configuration dialog, see if checking this box helps in the long term.  Note:  Log off and back on again after setting it and before testing:

 

@MICR0S0FTpxaaaabqC0RP0RATI0N

• Edited by TheGoodGuys Saturday, January 17, 2015 6:39 PM

Thanks!