Solved Start Menu appears blank

Hi all, I use Startisback+ in Windows 8.1 Pro WMC x64, never had any issues (months using it). Today, for no apparent reason, the Windows Start Menu (where I pin frequently used programs) appears blank as shown below. I tried running Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow in command prompt without success. Any suggestions to repair this? Thanks

Not familiar with using this program.
If you tried settings within this program and it did not help, possible program has corrupt or missing files, should have nothing to do with Windows 8 as far as SFC, which fixes system files not other software files. Any system restore points ? If not try reinstall this software.

thanks jds, I reinstalled Startiback+ but it didn't fix the issue. I believe it might have to do with windows corruption.

antares said:

thanks jds, I reinstalled Startiback+ but it didn't fix the issue. I believe it might have to do with windows corruption.

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O.k. ,your welcome, but you ran SFC did it tell you anything ? Run DISM twice. Also try chkdsk. Any other errors to lead you to believe Windows is corrupted ? That is case an SFC or DISM does not fix, refresh or reset be last alternative.

Yes, I run SFC and DISM twice, it says it repaired corrupt files each time successfully but the issue persists. I will end up doing a fresh windows install, if you check my previous issues this one might be one more related to windows corruption.

antares said:

Yes, I run SFC and DISM twice, it says it repaired corrupt files each time successfully but the issue persists. I will end up doing a fresh windows install, if you check my previous issues this one might be one more related to windows corruption.

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You mean SFC said this only ? Looked back at previous issues 1 for UAC Problem, 1 for Adobe acrobat, rest go back to July 2014.

Some research shows me they should be located here, items you pinned \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu Try deleting them and adding them again or look to see if they are at least there.

Question, is this a trial or full version ? Is it updated ?

I ran Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and it said something like:"repair of corrupted files successful", then I ran sfc /scannow which said that the integrity of files was OK, then I ran Dism again with the same mesage.

Yes, the program shortcuts were showing in \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu. I tried deleting them, then I chose a program from the program list, right click, "Pin to Start", but the shortcut was not added to the above directory.

It's a Windows 8.1x64 Pro WMC full version and updated.

If you uninstalled then reinstalled and it remains the same, it probably has a sloppy uninstaller and doesn't get rid of all the registry keys and (I'm guessing here) .INI files , you may have to, when you, uninstall use Find and Find next in REGEDIT and type Staritsback and delete all the keys. Then go to Users>your account>view hidden items>App Data>Local & Roaming and delete any Startisback folders. Also check out Program Files & Program Files(x86) and delete any left over folders. Now try reinstalling.

antares said:

I ran Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and it said something like:"repair of corrupted files successful", then I ran sfc /scannow which said that the integrity of files was OK, then I ran Dism again with the same mesage.

Yes, the program shortcuts were showing in \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu. I tried deleting them, then I chose a program from the program list, right click, "Pin to Start", but the shortcut was not added to the above directory.

It's a Windows 8.1x64 Pro WMC full version and updated.

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Everything seems good with system files for Windows 8.1. Shows you was not your issue with Windows system files being corrupted, sure would of had more issues then just this.

Deleted those files in users folder and recreated them with no success, not sure what else to try yet, as there is not much info even on this matter online for Startisback i can even find with your issue. Do not think going to make a difference in going into the registry to find files that were not uninstalled at time of the uninstall it to me is not really going make the difference in your problem.
Try any support on there site for Startisback. StartIsBack - real start menu for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

I can not try here without a valid purchase E-mail

Maybe you have to reactivate it:
How trial version works?
There are no limitations in trial version. After installing it runs for 30 days. If you don't activate it with license number you bought within 30 days, it will still work, but in limited mode: Start Menu will be blank and non-customizable; every boot you'll be nagged about evaluation period over. Trial period runs for each user which have installed StartIsBack on one PC separately.

Cliff S said:

Maybe you have to reactivate it:
How trial version works?
There are no limitations in trial version. After installing it runs for 30 days. If you don't activate it with license number you bought within 30 days, it will still work, but in limited mode: Start Menu will be blank and non-customizable; every boot you'll be nagged about evaluation period over. Trial period runs for each user which have installed StartIsBack on one PC separately.

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Yes this was one of first things came to mind with this program, but figured OP knew this part, good point though. Not as said familiar with using this program. For me i adjusted well without the start menu, no withdrawals !

Cliff S said:

If you uninstalled then reinstalled and it remains the same, it probably has a sloppy uninstaller and doesn't get rid of all the registry keys and (I'm guessing here)

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Thanks Cliff, that was it, I did a deeper uninstall with Revo, getting rid of all registry keys+folders, reinstalled and now all is back to normal. So the issue was with a corrupted Startisback+ and not with Windows. Even so, I will do a fresh Win 8.1 reinstall at some point since I'm carrying over other issues which are related to Windows corruption. Thanks jds63 for your suggestions too.

antares said:

Cliff S said:

If you uninstalled then reinstalled and it remains the same, it probably has a sloppy uninstaller and doesn't get rid of all the registry keys and (I'm guessing here)

Click to expand...

Thanks Cliff, that was it, I did a deeper uninstall with Revo, getting rid of all registry keys+folders, reinstalled and now all is back to normal. So the issue was with a corrupted Startisback+ and not with Windows. Even so, I will do a fresh Win 8.1 reinstall at some point since I'm carrying over other issues which are related to Windows corruption. Thanks jds63 for your suggestions too.

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Well i'll be dammed that did work ! Never asked what uninstaller you used, but never had this happen to me, although i have used Revo for years and make restore points on each changes, before and after.
Glad it worked out,YW