Right-clicking Start, or pressing the Win+X key combination opens the power-user menu as in the following image:
If this menu doesn’t open or nothing happens when you use the Win+X key combination, it could be possible that the IsShortcut
registry value has been removed for shortcuts (.lnk
) file association. Follow both these steps to resolve the problem.
Create the IsShortcut registry value
Press WinKey + R to launch the Run dialog.
Type regedit.exe
and click OK.
Go to the following branch:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
In the right pane, create a REG_SZ (String value) named IsShortcut
Exit the Registry Editor.
REG File: Alternately, you can apply the .lnk registry fix at File Association Fixes Page: Windows 10 | Windows 8
(Note: If you had removed the IsShortcut value earlier to hide the shortcut overlay icon, note that there is a better and safer method to hide the overlay icon for shortcuts. Use Method 2 in the article How To Remove Or Modify The Shortcut Overlay In Windows, which applies to all versions of Windows.)
Copy Win+X Group Folders from Default Profile
Open File Explorer and explore this folder:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
Rename these three folders by adding -old suffix.
- Group1
- Group2
- Group3
Then, open this folder:
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
Copy the 3 folders to location #1 above.
Log off and login back for the changes to take effect.
Related
There is a similar problem where 3rd party shell extension interferes with the Win+X menu. Check out Win+X Menu Shortcuts Not Working – Caused by 3rd Shell Extension and Win+X Command Prompt Admin File Association Error, and Run As Administrator Option Missing.
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