Microsoft fixed a bug that caused Windows Search and Start menu to stop responding and some Windows apps no longer open.

Redmond investigated Start menu and search issues since Jan 18 after confirming in August 2023 that Windows broke permissions on systems where Office was deployed using ClickToRun.

Microsoft first acknowledged this known issue on January 24 when it said it only affects client platforms, including Windows 11 21H2/22H2 and Windows 10 20H2/21H2/22H2.

Like BleepingComputer reported in Januaryone of the apps affected is ClickShare, which allows Windows devices to share screens wirelessly.

“The Start Menu, Windows Search, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps may not work as expected or have issues opening”, Microsoft said on the Windows Health Dashboard.

“Affected Windows devices may have corrupt registry keys or data, which may affect applications that use Microsoft Office APIs to integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, or Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Calendar.

“Affected devices have apps installed that integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, or Microsoft Outlook.”

​Microsoft addressed this known issue on Tuesday with this month’s optional cumulative updates (KB5027303 And KB5027293). The fix will generally be made available to all affected Windows users with the release of Patch Tuesday cumulative updates next month.

Workaround also available

Microsoft is also providing affected customers who do not wish to install the June 2023 Preview Updates with a workaround to resolve this issue until July Patch Tuesday.

“To alleviate this problem, you can uninstall apps that integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Calendar,” Redmond explains.

“Updates for affected apps or guidance from the app developer may also be available.”

For those using apps with Office APIs on devices where Microsoft Office was installed via Office ClickToRun, another interim fix is ​​available at this support page.

Additionally, affected users are advised to remove problematic applications from startup or set them to start on demand to prevent this problem from recurring.

On Wednesday, Microsoft also addressed a known issue causing file explorer to crash on Windows 11 and Windows Server devices after viewing effective access permissions for shared files.

Two weeks ago, the company also fixed a Windows 11 bug triggering intermittent file save and copy failures on Windows 11 22H2 systems.