Stella

Fix it with Stella · Windows

Start menu dead after an update? No reset required.

Can't click Start, can't type in the search bar — and every guide ends with “reset your PC.” Stella restarts the right services, re-registers the Start and Search packages, repairs corrupt system files, rebuilds the index, and confirms search works. No factory reset, no data loss.

See pricing

Free. No credit card, no trial. Go is $5/mo, Pro is $15/mo.

Sound familiar?

You've probably already searched this.

  • windows 11 start menu not working after update
  • cant type in windows search bar
  • windows 11 search not working fix
  • start button not working windows 11
  • reregister start menu powershell
  • windows update broke start menu

How it works

Tell Stella. It works your computer. Done.

  1. 1You describe the problem in your own words.
  2. 2Stella uses your apps, browser, and files.
  3. 3You watch every step. Destructive work waits.

Try this prompt

“Windows 11 search won't accept typing and the Start button does nothing since the update. Fix it without a reset.”

You: Windows 11 search won't accept typing and the Start button does nothing since the update. Fix it without a reset. Stella: Start and Search packages are wedged. I'll restart the services and re-register them — no factory reset. You: Did it work? Stella: Start opens, search accepts typing. No data loss.

On this problem

What Stella actually does.

  • Restarts explorer.exe and ctfmon — the two-minute fix that often works
  • Restarts and re-enables the Windows Search service
  • Re-registers the Start/Search app packages via PowerShell
  • Runs SFC/DISM for corrupt system files, rebuilds the search index, and rolls back the offending update if that's the real culprit

Ready when you are

A working Start menu, not a factory reset.

Download Stella for Mac or Windows and tell it what's broken.

More things Stella fixes

Free. No credit card, no trial.