How to Fix StartMenuExperienceHost.exe Application Error?

If your desktop is crashing, freezing, or becoming unresponsive, it might be due to the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe not working correctly. This component manages the functionality of the Start Menu, and if it malfunctions, it can lead to these issues.

These errors generally happen because of corrupted system files or problems resulting from Windows updates, like KB5037036 and KB5036892. A corrupted twinapi.appcore.dll file or conflicts from these updates can commonly cause issues. In some instances, error logs show KERNELBASE.dll as the source, indicating deeper system issues.

Here are a few methods to resolve this and restore your system’s functionality.

1. Execute System File Checker (SFC)

The first method is the System File Checker. We’ll use it to check for any corrupted system files, and it’s quite straightforward. We’ll be using PowerShell to apply these commands.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type “PowerShell” and press Enter to run PowerShell as an administrator.
   
2. Type the following command and press Enter.

   sfc /scannow

   

3. Allow the scan to complete, and let it repair any issues it finds.

2. Re-register the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe

Re-registering system files can fix persistent issues by refreshing their registry connections. We’ll use two commands in PowerShell. The first command focuses on StartMenuExperienceHost, which should resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, use the second command to target the broader ShellExperience package, which covers other UI elements along with the Start Menu.

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator and execute the following commands:

   1st Command:

   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

   This reinstalls and re-registers the Start Menu files.

   2nd Command:

   Get-appxpackage -all shellexperience -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml")}

In most cases, Command 1 should suffice to fix Start Menu issues, but if you wish to ensure the entire UI (including the Start Menu) is re-registered, Command 2 is more comprehensive.

3. Create a New User Account

In many cases, user profile corruption can cause specific issues with the Start Menu. Creating a fresh user account can bypass this problem by starting with a clean profile.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left sidebar, click on Accounts.
   
3. Under the Accounts section, click on Other users.
   
4. Under Other users, click on Add account.
   
5. Choose Account Type:
   • If you want to create a Microsoft account, enter the email address associated with it.
   • For a local account, click on I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
6. Fill in the new user’s name, password (optional), and password hint if needed.
7. Click Next, and the new user account will be created.

If this method resolves your issue, you can follow our detailed guide on how you can transfer all the data from your old account to this new account you just created.

4. Rolling Back Recent Windows Updates

Many users report that if the issue began after a system update, reverting these updates might help.

1. Go to Windows settings and select “Windows Update.”
   
2. Click on “Update history” to view the list of recent updates.
   
3. Scroll down and click on “Uninstall updates.”
   
4. Identify the recent updates likely causing the issue (specifically KB5037036 and KB5036892), click the “Uninstall” option, and follow the on-screen instructions to roll back the changes.
   

5. Restore the System to a Previous Point

If the issue started recently, using System Restore to return to a previous working state might resolve the problem.

1. Type “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
   
2. In the System Properties window, click on the System Restore button.
   

Follow the prompts to choose a restore point before the issue began and complete the restore process.

6. Modify Registry Keys to Fix System Errors

If you’ve recently made changes to your system’s settings or used third-party tools that might have misconfigured the registry, it’s a good idea to check and reset any problematic settings back to default. The Windows Registry stores all configuration settings for the system, and any changes can affect system behavior.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type “regedit,” then press Enter or click OK to launch the Registry Editor.
   
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

   

3. Right-click on the User Shell Folders key and select Permissions.
   
4. In the Permissions window, click Advanced.
   
5. Check the box to replace all object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object. Ensure “Enable inheritance” is selected. Click OK to apply the changes.
   
6. Restart your PC to ensure the changes take effect.

7. Perform a Repair Upgrade

If none of the previous methods worked, try a repair upgrade. There’s a good chance it will fix your problem, especially if it’s caused by a recent update. Many users have resolved the issue using this method. Hopefully, using a fresh Windows ISO will resolve the issue for you as well.

Note: The issue may have started after installing KB5035941 or KB5036892, which affected the Start Menu and caused crashes when clicking on apps. The problem is related to the ucrtbase.dll module, with a c0000409 exception code, and has since been addressed by the Microsoft Dev Team.

1. Download the Windows ISO file from the official Microsoft website using the Media Creation Tool.
2. Open the Media Creation Tool and accept the license terms.
3. In the next step, choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click next.
4. Select the option “Use the recommended options for this PC” and click next.
5. Choose which media to use. We will proceed with the ISO file as we are not using a USB pen drive. Click next again.
6. Select a different drive like “D” or “E”, where your current OS isn’t installed.
7. Once the ISO is downloaded, right-click on the ISO file and click on mount.
8. Open This PC or File Explorer, go to the new virtual drive and double-click on setup.exe to begin the repair process.
9. After preparing the Windows setup, it will redirect you to this screen where you can choose language and time format, then click next.
10. When the Windows Setup screen appears, select Repair your computer (do not click on “Install now”).
11. Then, choose Troubleshoot followed by Advanced options.
12. In the Advanced options menu, click on Startup Repair.
13. Select your Operating System “Windows 10”.
14. Now it’ll ask you to log in to your account using a password, then click next.
15. The diagnostic tool will start and repair your Windows.
16. After repairing, your PC will restart, and you’re good to go.