Two days ago my start menu quit working in windows 10. I went through all the troubleshooting tips I found online, and even went as far as to reset my windows installation. Resetting fixed the issue, until I began putting my software back on… low and behold, when I started the PC the next morning, the start menu wouldn’t open again. Reboot after reboot every once and a while the start menu would work, but most of the time it wouldn’t. I then had to reset my windows installation yet again. This time I slowly made changes and installs one by one, making system restoration points after each install. The start menu continued to work, right up until I installed Avast and rebooted. When the PC came back up, the start menu wouldn’t open. So I uninstalled Avast, and rebooted. It worked again. I did a little research and found someone on the forums who said that if you install it and then boot into safe mode that it would fix the problem, so I tried it. It did not fix the problem. So now I have been forced to remove and leave Avast off my machine because it’s reliably creating this issue. Any thoughts?
I have the same problem. Repair Avast,reinstall Avast,nothing worked. Windows 10 64bit 16299.125. Avast Internet Security
Just updated to the latest beta and my speaker icon is working again.
http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1513345504518-78401.png
Don’t know if that’s related to Avast or Windows, ??? ??? ???
I’m now trying the latest AVAST! beta. Rebooted and my start menu seems to still work. Will update you if the status changes.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=211867.0
This idea is no good. The problem started again this morning, so took it back off.
On my computer there was exactly the same problem. After installing Avast Internet Security, the menu button and the notification menu button became inactive. After the complete removal of AVAST, the menu has earned. All other recovery methods were not successful.
Avast Internet Security + Windows 10 Pro 1709.
A clean install solved it for me. A temporary fix is to restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager
http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1514469194734-6615.png
I used many methods, and this one too, unsuccessfully. 
I’m having the same issues - and have had them in the past with previous releases. Just installed Avast Pro today on a new Ryzen build, after a restart I can’t get to most Windows explorer processes - can never get into the start menu or Cortana. Some restarts will allow me into file explorer, some won’t. Can’t open my calculator, pinned to my taskbar. Volume mixer works, but the regular volume control icon doesn’t. This is, without a doubt, ridiculous.
Holy crap this is ME too!! EXACT same issues!!! My son’s laptop is set up directly beside mine, he is using the Free version of AVAST and his Start menu/Cortana both work perfectly.
Ever since I bought Avast Internet Security my Start menu/Cortana have been unresponsive.
Looks like I will be getting on the phone with Avast.
I am on the phone with Avast support right now bringing their attention to this forum…will let everyone know the response.
If they cannot fix this I want a refund and will go elsewhere for antivirus.
Restarting Windows Explorer did nothing for me. No fix. By the way clean install of Win 10 yesterday.
Here are my specifics
Windows 10
Version 1709
Build 16299.125 , just clean installed 12/28/2017
Avast Internet Security
Virus Def 171229-2
Version 17.9.2322 (build 17.9.3761.0)
Here’s what Microsoft suggests
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12385/windows-10-troubleshoot-problems-opening-start-menu-cortana
Well that’s a whole lot of no help since we know the problem is an AV program. What gets me is I have the full Avast on four machines, and I’ve never had issues with my Intel laptops - only my (preferred, more powerful and more expensive) AMD machines.
/sigh
There really isn’t any solid evidence that the problem is a direct result of your AV.
Been there. Done ALL that, including creating a new MS Account, AND resetting first, then refreshing i.e. clean re-install of Win 10 2 days ago.
No fix.
There really isn’t any solid evidence that the problem is a direct result of your AV.
Did you read Andre’s first post in this thread? Sounds like a pretty in-depth troubleshooting process that narrowed it down.
Andre never mentioned the other programs that were installed.
Just uninstalled Avast Internet Security and Rebooted - Start Menu and Cortana rock solid. Have submitted my refund request.
On to another Antivirus. Leaning towards Norton.