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Fixing the Windows 11 Start Menu That Keeps Resetting

If your Windows 11 Start Menu resets after signing out, you're not alone. This guide offers practical steps to help you restore your Start Menu settings and improve your workflow.

3 min read
A laptop displaying the Windows 11 Start Menu with various apps pinned.

If your Windows 11 Start Menu keeps resetting after signing out, it can be a frustrating experience. This issue often results in lost pinned apps and layout changes that disrupt your workflow. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to resolve this problem and restore your Start Menu settings.

What does it mean when the Start Menu keeps resetting?

When the Start Menu resets, you may observe that your pinned apps disappear and the layout you customized reverts to its default state. This commonly occurs after you sign out or restart your system, resulting in the loss of any personalized settings and organization in the Start Menu.

Why does the Start Menu reset after signing out?

Several factors could lead to the Start Menu resetting:

  • Corrupt user profiles that fail to save settings properly.
  • Issues in the Windows registry affecting user configurations.
  • Recent system updates that may disrupt Start Menu settings.
  • Third-party applications that conflict with Windows settings.
The settings menu of Windows 11 open, highlighting user accounts.

How to fix the Start Menu resetting issue

To resolve the Start Menu resetting issue, follow these steps:

  1. Create a new user profile to see if the issue persists. - Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC. - Follow the prompts to create a new account.

  1. Reset Start Menu settings using PowerShell.

    • Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
    • Run the following command:
    title="PowerShell (run as Administrator)"
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  1. Update Windows to ensure you have the latest patches. - Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

How to check if the issue is resolved

To verify if the Start Menu issue is resolved, sign out of your account and then sign back in. Check if your pinned apps and layout remain intact. If they do, the problem is likely fixed. Additionally, you can restart your computer to ensure all changes have been applied.

Tips to prevent the Start Menu from resetting in the future

To avoid future Start Menu resets, consider the following practices:

  • Regularly update your Windows system to incorporate the latest fixes and security patches.
  • Back up your user profile settings using Windows built-in backup tools or third-party solutions.
  • Be cautious when installing third-party applications that modify system settings. Also, consider using only trusted sources for software.

Conclusion

If these solutions do not resolve the issue, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support or community forums for more tailored help.