Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of JohnMac328
JohnMac328Flag for United States of America

asked on

Open Windows start menu from command prompt

I am remoting to a another computer.  The start menu won't come up.  It won't take keyboard commands so I can't press the windows keyboard button.  I can't find the cmd to run to make it come up.  Anybody know how?
Avatar of strivoli
strivoli
Flag of Italy image

Didn't you consider using the "On-Screen Keyboard"?
User generated image
Avatar of JohnMac328

ASKER

Whats the cmd to bring that up?

I brought it up but it still wont bring up the start menu, still need the cmd
Never seen a command that will bring up the start menu.  Kill explorer and restart it.

TASKKILL /im "explorer"
Then run
Explorer
I'm not having a problem with explorer, please explain.
Well, what about telling us what "remoting" means in your concrete use-case. What did you do exactly? What program do you use for "remoting"?

Anything special about the remote system? E.g. multiple monitors? Sometimes you don't see what happens there.
Anything special about the remote software? E.g. permissions necessary to control the other device?
I vpn to a box and from there vpn to the SQL server, I need to restart the service.  In a normal world I click on start and then choose sql toolbox and then I can do it.  Can't get the programs menu to open
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of strivoli
strivoli
Flag of Italy image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
I understand this doesn't fix the "Start" button issue.
VPN does not give any kind of access to the client or server. It is just a network connection technology.
The SQL SERVER is virtual or physical?
Virtual
Perhaps you are missing "VMware Tools" (Hyper-V has similar Tools too) and if this is it they might help you solve the "Start" button issue.
Ok strivoli, that does give me the solution to the service, still wish I could get the rest of the programs to open for other things that have to be done - Thanks!
Does "Right-Click" on "Start" return any result?
Wait a minute: you always talk about "keyboard". Aren't you using a Mouse too?
Ctrl-Esc is another way to access the start menu, and might work here.
Sorry, tried everything, right click start brings up several areas I can go to but nothing will bring up the programs
I'm not having a problem with explorer, please explain.

YES, you are.  Explorer is the process that provides the Start Menu and the Taskbar.  Kill it and restart it.

Another question - why not reboot?  Or simply log out and log back in?
Use the "Start" Command to run what you need to run.
See:​Windows Start Command​​​
I vpn to a box and from there vpn to the SQL server, ...
What do you mean by VPN in this context?  You may have your terminology messed up.  Are you sure you really mean VPN instead of RDP or VNC?  How exactly are you connecting?  What program do you use to make the connection?  Please provide the steps.  Are you connecting to a system at your office site from home?