Explorer Patcher Start Menu fix

There is an issue with Explorer patcher that bricks both windows 10 and windows 11 start menu. The issue goes away when ep is uninstalled at least on my case, so this post is about people who want to use the old taskbar with a working menu. I originally wanted to post this on github as I've seen many people having to reinstall their os to fix the broken menu but unfortunately only people that contribute to the project can post. Anyways if ep gives you trouble heres what to do:

1. Make a backup of your ep settings and uninstall it.
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost...* and delete everything in it. You will need to kill the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe in order to do so. At the end only 2 folders will remain as they are protected by TrustedInstaller.
3. Run sfc /scannow command. Everything under C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost should be restored and you start menu should be working now.
4. Make a backup of the ShellExperienceHost folder on your desktop or documents.
5. Reinstall ep patcher. This should brick your menu again.
6. Go back to C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost...* and restore the start menu from your backup. You will need to kill StartMenuExperienceHost.exe again.
7. Open explorer patcher and restart file explorer

If done correctly you should be able to use the old windows 10 taskbar with a working 10/11 start menu. I hope this post helps you out!

By doing all these steps is it back to normal after the update?
Meaning the KB5021255 is still installed and ExplorerPatcher is installed too?

Have you rebooted to see if the issue comes back?

I just wanted to say thank you, I'd been having issues for months with just the Windows 11 version of the start menu not being able to open. It was a pain, as all my shortcuts were obviously not on the Windows 10 style one.
Anyway, following your instructions - only modifying them slightly, to take full ownership of the C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost...* folder before being able to delete anything, worked perfectly - and I can now access the Windows 11 style start menu again!

(NB: I only really use Explorer Patcher to add "third party toolbars" back to the taskbar - Its just a folder full of shortcuts, really makes my life a lot easier at work! - so I don't know if any of the other features no longer work or are broken after doing this)

Just as an update to this, the following release of Explorer Patcher seems to have resolved this issue for me:

Release 22621.1413.54.5 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

22621.1413.54.5

• Windows 11 Start menu: Fixed a bug that prevented the menu from working when the setting "Disable Recommended section" is used and the display scaling is 125%. (5649a83)