Fix: Right-click not working on Start Menu or Taskbar

Microsoft takes user feedback seriously and works to bring a resolution as soon as possible. They righteously roll new cumulative updates each patch Tuesday to fix existing bugs and errors. However, the right-click not working on Start Menu or Taskbar has survived quite a few updates and is still creating a nuisance among users.

No need to worry though as we have brought four working ways to address this issue on Windows 10. Let’s explore these workarounds in detail –

Right-click not working on Start or Taskbar, Fixed

If the right-click is not working on your computer while making a right-click on either Start or on the taskbar, consider applying the below fixes one after another. 

1] Restart the Explorer

This may sound strange, however, restarting Windows Explorer instantly resolves this bug on Windows 10. Here’s how to restart the File Explorer – 

• Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys altogether to start Task Manager.
• Scroll down and locate Windows Explorer.
• Once found, right-click on this application, and hit restart.

Restarting File Explorer should resolve the right-click not working issue either on Start Menu or Taskbar. 

2] Using PowerShell

Alternatively, one may also use PowerShell to correct the right-click not working issue on the computer. All you need is to execute a few codes on the PowerShell interface. Just follow the below guideline –

• Start Windows PowerShell as an Administrator.
• Copy/paste the below code and press Enter –

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

• Next, execute the below command followed by the Enter key.

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

• In case there appears a warning message, tap Y to proceed further.

• When the two codes run successfully, you are good to use right-click either on the Start menu or Taskbar.

3] Registry Tweaks

In quite a few scenarios, the registry gets corrupted somehow and hence prevents right-click feature anywhere on the computer. To correct this, you need to modify a few key entries on the registry. Here’s how to perform this task –

• Use Win + R to invoke the Run command box.
• Type Regedit and click OK.
• On the registry wizard, browse to the following location –

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ ImmersiveShell\Launcher

• Right-click anywhere on the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) value.

• Rename this key to “UseExperience“. 
• Double-click the newly created entry and put “0” instead of “1” under the value data field. 
• Close all running tabs, apps, and Restart Windows.

The right-click functionality should now be working on either Start Menu or Taskbar. 

4] Replace the WinX folder from another PC

If you are having another Windows 10 device, just copy/paste the WinX folder, and the problem gets resolved. To do so, use these steps –

• First of all, navigate to the below address –

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX

Note: Use Win + E to open File Explorer, write the above path at its address bar, and hit Enter.

• Use Ctrl + A to select all items, and copy & paste them to a USB flash drive. 

• Attach the Pendrive to the computer on which the right-click is not working.
• Use copy/paste again to transfer copied items to the corrupted Windows.
• Restart Windows and check whether doing so fixes the issue or not.

I hope by now, this bug surely gets fixed on the computer.