The absolute majority of users open the main menu of the Windows operating system by clicking on the "Start" button, so its absence in its usual place is an unpleasant surprise. The reasons can be different, some are eliminated without problems in a few seconds, others can have more serious consequences.
Instructions
Step 1
Press the left or right WIN key. The opening of the main menu as a result of this action will mean that the reason for the absence of the "Start" button is in changing the positioning or height of the taskbar on which this button is placed.
Step 2
If, by pressing WIN, you do not see the buttons and taskbar, but only one menu, then look for a narrow strip at the edge of the screen. This strip will be the taskbar, the height of which is reduced to the limit. Hovering the mouse cursor over this strip, press the left button and drag the panel to its normal size.
Step 3
If, when you press WIN, both the taskbar and the Start button are visible along with the main menu, right-click the button. A context menu will appear, in which you need to select the "Properties" item, and in the settings window that opens, uncheck the box next to the "Automatically hide the taskbar" inscription. Then click the "OK" button to commit the changes.
Step 4
If pressing WIN has no effect, and there are no shortcuts in the entire desktop space, then this is a sign that Windows Explorer is not working. This application is not only a file manager, but also provides the operation of the graphical interface of the operating system. Try restarting File Explorer. To do this, press CTRL + alt="Image" + Delete to open Task Manager.
Step 5
Go to the "Processes" tab and look in the "Image name" column for explorer.exe - this is Explorer. Perhaps this program is "stuck" - in this case, it should be forced to close first. If there is such a process, then right-click it and select End Process. If this line is not present, then it has already completed without your intervention.
Step 6
Return to the Applications tab and click the New Task button in its lower-right corner to launch a dialog titled Create New Task.
Step 7
Type explorer in the input field and click the OK button. In this way, you will start Windows Explorer, and it will restore the normal operation of the taskbar along with the "Start" button.
Step 8
If Explorer fails to start, or if it does not restore normal operation of all elements on the desktop, then the explorer.exe system file is apparently damaged or missing. This usually happens as a result of a virus on your computer. In this case, it is better to contact a specialist to identify the virus and eliminate the consequences of its actions. You can consult specialized web resources.
