The Task Manager On The Start Menu Is Not Working

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

HDL said:
Thank you for the links. I am going to read the tutorials especially repair and install. I know I did one of those a couple years ago on a Win 10 Pro machine and it did not come out as well as I had hoped. But I am open to any advice and appreciate it. Thanks for your reply.

Yeah follow it properly, it’s always good to read first then do it. (I think)
Just so that you remember to Keep your stuff. (Apps and everything)
If your PC is Windows compliant, Option One via Windows Update in the repair tutorial should be OK.

HDL said:
I see Task Manager under Group 2

While I am here, in the WinX ~~Group 2~~ I believe it should be Group 3 folder, if you right click on the icon and select “properties”, what Target do you see? This is mine.

%windir%\system32\taskmgr.exe /0

HDL · Jun 2, 2025

antspants said:

Two things I came across that I have not tried because mine work. Likely similar to the tutorial you mentioned.
System backups are always advised..

Rebuild the Win+X menu with Powershell
(Run as Admin)

Powershell:

# Stop Explorer process
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force

# Clear and rebuild shell experience host cache
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LocalAppData\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Clear Windows cache
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\Caches\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Rebuild WinX folder (backup first)
$winxPath = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"
$backupPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WinX_Backup_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss')"
Copy-Item -Path $winxPath -Destination $backupPath -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path $winxPath -Recurse -Force
New-Item -Path $winxPath -ItemType Directory

# Restart Explorer
Start-Process explorer

Alternatively try: Clear and rebuild shell experience host cache. (Alternative to cache section in the script above)
(Run as Admin)

Powershell:

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

The part I have made Bold, is this a stand alone command in the Power Shell, or does it mean I copy it and replace the code under # Clear Windows cache above? I see 2 instances [CODE and /CODE], so I assume it is a stand alone command. However, not having any experience in using Power Shell, I just want to be sure.

I am working my way through the suggested solutions given to me in this forum. I don't want anyone thinking I am ignoring or don't appreciate every one of them.

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

HDL said:
I don't want anyone thinking I am ignoring or don't appreciate every one of them.

Yeah sorry, I can read harshly. I know you’re not a child so I dont want to treat you like one.

Sorry, forget the second powershell. As we were past that, I didn’t mention that it refreshes the wrong thing, it’s actually for reregistering the ShellExperienceHost. My bad, sorry

Open Powershell as admin

Open Elevated Windows Terminal as Administrator in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you different ways to open an elevated Windows Terminal to Run as Administrator in Windows 11. Windows Terminal is a modern host application for the command-line shells you already love, like Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash (via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL))...

www.elevenforum.com

Copy paste this (the first one) into it, press enter

Powershell:

# Stop Explorer process
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force

# Clear and rebuild shell experience host cache
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LocalAppData\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Clear Windows cache
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\Caches\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Rebuild WinX folder (backup first)
$winxPath = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"
$backupPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WinX_Backup_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss')"
Copy-Item -Path $winxPath -Destination $backupPath -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path $winxPath -Recurse -Force
New-Item -Path $winxPath -ItemType Directory

# Restart Explorer
Start-Process explorer

HDL · Jun 2, 2025

Thank you for the reply.

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

Or you could try this revised one I have:

Does not blindly delete — checks if paths exist first
Backs up your menu safely
Rebuilds the proper WinX structure with Group1–3
Recreates Task Manager shortcut so you don’t need to use third-party tools
Outputs progress clearly so you know what’s happening

Powershell:

# Stop Explorer process gracefully
Write-Output "Stopping Explorer..."
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Clear ShellExperienceHost cache
$shellHostTemp = "$env:LocalAppData\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState"
if (Test-Path $shellHostTemp) {
    Write-Output "Clearing ShellExperienceHost cache..."
    Remove-Item -Path "$shellHostTemp\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Clear Windows caches
$windowsCache = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\Caches"
if (Test-Path $windowsCache) {
    Write-Output "Clearing Windows local caches..."
    Remove-Item -Path "$windowsCache\*" -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Back up and reset WinX menu
$winxPath = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"
$backupPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WinX_Backup_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss')"

if (Test-Path $winxPath) {
    Write-Output "Backing up existing WinX menu to $backupPath"
    Copy-Item -Path $winxPath -Destination $backupPath -Recurse -Force
    Write-Output "Removing old WinX menu..."
    Remove-Item -Path $winxPath -Recurse -Force
}

# Recreate WinX structure
Write-Output "Rebuilding WinX menu folder structure..."
New-Item -Path $winxPath -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
1..3 | ForEach-Object {
    New-Item -Path "$winxPath\Group$_" -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

# Recreate Task Manager shortcut in Group3 (optional)
$taskmgrPath = "$env:windir\System32\taskmgr.exe"
$taskmgrShortcut = "$winxPath\Group3\01 - Task Manager.lnk"

if (Test-Path $taskmgrPath) {
    Write-Output "Creating Task Manager shortcut..."
    $shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
    $shortcut = $shell.CreateShortcut($taskmgrShortcut)
    $shortcut.TargetPath = $taskmgrPath
    $shortcut.IconLocation = "$taskmgrPath,0"
    $shortcut.Save()
} else {
    Write-Warning "Task Manager executable not found at $taskmgrPath"
}

# Restart Explorer
Write-Output "Restarting Explorer..."
Start-Process explorer
Write-Output "Done. Please right-click Start to check the Win+X menu."

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

Make sure you copy all of the code.

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

Default Win+X Menu Groups:

Group1 → Top section (e.g., Mobility Center, Power Options)
Group2 → Middle section (e.g., Device Manager, Event Viewer)
Group3 → Bottom section, which includes:
- Task Manager
- Settings
- File Explorer
- Run
- Desktop

antspants · Jun 2, 2025

HDL said:
I see Task Manager under Group 2

Me thinks your problem could be that Task Manager should be in the Group 3 Folder.
I am not sure though if it would stop it from working just because it’s in Group 2 Folder
As far as I know, it just moves it to a different section of WinX.

This will do all of the above and move Task Manager to Group 3 Folder

Powershell:

# Stop Explorer
Write-Output "Stopping Explorer..."
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Clear ShellExperienceHost cache
$shellHostTemp = "$env:LocalAppData\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState"
if (Test-Path $shellHostTemp) {
    Write-Output "Clearing ShellExperienceHost cache..."
    Remove-Item "$shellHostTemp\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Clear Windows caches
$windowsCache = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\Caches"
if (Test-Path $windowsCache) {
    Write-Output "Clearing Windows local caches..."
    Remove-Item "$windowsCache\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Backup and prep WinX folders
$winxPath = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"
$backupPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WinX_Backup_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss')"

if (Test-Path $winxPath) {
    Write-Output "Backing up existing WinX menu to: $backupPath"
    Copy-Item -Path $winxPath -Destination $backupPath -Recurse -Force
} else {
    Write-Output "Creating new WinX directory..."
    New-Item -Path $winxPath -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

# Ensure Groups 1-3 exist
1..3 | ForEach-Object {
    $groupFolder = "$winxPath\Group$_"
    if (-not (Test-Path $groupFolder)) {
        Write-Output "Creating $groupFolder"
        New-Item -Path $groupFolder -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
    }
}

# Detect Task Manager shortcut
$foundShortcut = $false
$taskmgrPath = "$env:windir\System32\taskmgr.exe"
$correctGroup = "$winxPath\Group3"
$targetShortcut = "$correctGroup\01 - Task Manager.lnk"

foreach ($group in 1..3) {
    $groupPath = "$winxPath\Group$group"
    $shortcuts = Get-ChildItem -Path $groupPath -Filter '*.lnk' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    foreach ($shortcut in $shortcuts) {
        $shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
        $sc = $shell.CreateShortcut($shortcut.FullName)
        if ($sc.TargetPath -ieq $taskmgrPath) {
            if ($group -ne 3) {
                Write-Output "Moving Task Manager shortcut from Group$group to Group3..."
                Move-Item $shortcut.FullName $targetShortcut -Force
            } elseif ($shortcut.FullName -ne $targetShortcut) {
                Write-Output "Renaming Task Manager shortcut for proper position..."
                Move-Item $shortcut.FullName $targetShortcut -Force
            } else {
                Write-Output "Task Manager shortcut already in correct location."
            }
            $foundShortcut = $true
            break
        }
    }
    if ($foundShortcut) { break }
}

# Create it if not found
if (-not $foundShortcut) {
    Write-Output "Creating Task Manager shortcut in Group3..."
    $shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
    $sc = $shell.CreateShortcut($targetShortcut)
    $sc.TargetPath = $taskmgrPath
    $sc.IconLocation = "$taskmgrPath,0"
    $sc.Save()
}

# Restart Explorer
Write-Output "Restarting Explorer..."
Start-Process explorer

Write-Output "`n✅ Done. Task Manager should now appear correctly in the bottom section of the Win+X menu."

Gracefully stops Explorer

Uses -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue to prevent errors if Explorer isn't running.

Clears ShellExperienceHost cache

Only does this if the relevant cache path exists.

Clears Windows user cache

Checks for path existence before attempting deletion.

Backs up entire WinX menu folder

Creates a timestamped backup folder on your Desktop.

Rebuilds Group1, Group2, Group3 structure

Ensures those folders exist, creating them if missing.

Automatically finds Task Manager shortcut in any group

Searches all groups (1–3) and moves it to the correct group if needed.

Renames shortcut to ensure proper position

Renames to 01 - Task Manager.lnk so it appears at the top of Group3.

Creates shortcut if missing

Uses the COM-based WScript.Shell method to create it safely.

Provides clear progress messages

Gives meaningful status updates in the PowerShell console.

Restarts Explorer

Cleanly relaunches Explorer to apply all changes immediately.

HDL · Jun 2, 2025

antspants said:

Me thinks your problem could be that Task Manager should be in the Group 3 Folder.
I am not sure though if it would stop it from working just because it’s in Group 2 Folder
As far as I know, it just moves it to a different section of WinX.

This will do all of the above and move Task Manager to Group 3 Folder

Powershell:

# Stop Explorer
Write-Output "Stopping Explorer..."
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Clear ShellExperienceHost cache
$shellHostTemp = "$env:LocalAppData\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState"
if (Test-Path $shellHostTemp) {
    Write-Output "Clearing ShellExperienceHost cache..."
    Remove-Item "$shellHostTemp\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Clear Windows caches
$windowsCache = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\Caches"
if (Test-Path $windowsCache) {
    Write-Output "Clearing Windows local caches..."
    Remove-Item "$windowsCache\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}

# Backup and prep WinX folders
$winxPath = "$env:LocalAppData\Microsoft\Windows\WinX"
$backupPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WinX_Backup_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss')"

if (Test-Path $winxPath) {
    Write-Output "Backing up existing WinX menu to: $backupPath"
    Copy-Item -Path $winxPath -Destination $backupPath -Recurse -Force
} else {
    Write-Output "Creating new WinX directory..."
    New-Item -Path $winxPath -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

# Ensure Groups 1-3 exist
1..3 | ForEach-Object {
    $groupFolder = "$winxPath\Group$_"
    if (-not (Test-Path $groupFolder)) {
        Write-Output "Creating $groupFolder"
        New-Item -Path $groupFolder -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
    }
}

# Detect Task Manager shortcut
$foundShortcut = $false
$taskmgrPath = "$env:windir\System32\taskmgr.exe"
$correctGroup = "$winxPath\Group3"
$targetShortcut = "$correctGroup\01 - Task Manager.lnk"

foreach ($group in 1..3) {
    $groupPath = "$winxPath\Group$group"
    $shortcuts = Get-ChildItem -Path $groupPath -Filter '*.lnk' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    foreach ($shortcut in $shortcuts) {
        $shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
        $sc = $shell.CreateShortcut($shortcut.FullName)
        if ($sc.TargetPath -ieq $taskmgrPath) {
            if ($group -ne 3) {
                Write-Output "Moving Task Manager shortcut from Group$group to Group3..."
                Move-Item $shortcut.FullName $targetShortcut -Force
            } elseif ($shortcut.FullName -ne $targetShortcut) {
                Write-Output "Renaming Task Manager shortcut for proper position..."
                Move-Item $shortcut.FullName $targetShortcut -Force
            } else {
                Write-Output "Task Manager shortcut already in correct location."
            }
            $foundShortcut = $true
            break
        }
    }
    if ($foundShortcut) { break }
}

# Create it if not found
if (-not $foundShortcut) {
    Write-Output "Creating Task Manager shortcut in Group3..."
    $shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
    $sc = $shell.CreateShortcut($targetShortcut)
    $sc.TargetPath = $taskmgrPath
    $sc.IconLocation = "$taskmgrPath,0"
    $sc.Save()
}

# Restart Explorer
Write-Output "Restarting Explorer..."
Start-Process explorer

Write-Output "`n✅ Done. Task Manager should now appear correctly in the bottom section of the Win+X menu."