W10 + Surface Pro 4: Start Menu, Windows Key (Ctrl+Esc) and Cortana Search box does not work.

[Nicole982]

Hi All,

Problem: some users are unable to access Start Menu, use Windows Key (Ctrl+Esc) or type in the Cortana Search box.

Diagnostics:

1. Affected users are the domain and local users who have logged in to the Surface and have their local profile created after the SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 client was installed.
2. Users who do not experience the problem are the domain and local users who have logged in and had their profile created prior to the SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 client was installed.
3. SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 client uninstall did not have any effect on either of the users.
4. There are no any events in the Event Log related to the problem.
5. Disabling non-Microsoft services and rebooting the Surface did not fix the problem.
6. Followed the following article, but it did not fix the issue:
   • "Start Menu does not open or not working in Windows 10" thewindowsclub.com/start-menu-does-not-open-windows-10
   • "Cortana and Taskbar Search not working in Windows 10" thewindowsclub.com/cortana-taskbar-search-not-working-in-windows-10
7. Other software which is installed: CheckPoint End Point and McAfee Antivirus were installed prior to the SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 client and did not generate the issue.
8. Issue occurs for various builds of Windows 10 Enterprise (OEM, Microsoft download) which were deployed on the affected Surface.
9. When issue occurs, Esc, Alt+Esc, Windows Key + Break, Windows Key + E work fine.

Thanks a lot for your time and attention, in advance!