Just a warning so you can stop it before it happens to you.  Yesterday, my computer did an update (KB3213986), and now the start menu, window button, Edge, Cortana and the action center won't work.  Tried everything I can think of, Microsoft support, forums and every other avenue to no avail. It seems like it had happened to some other people too.  I've been running Win10 since it came out and this is the first issue I've had with it.  I hope they will roll out a fix soon.  

used to happen to me alot
this helps
http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/has-your-windows-10-start-menu-stopped-working-here-are-four-ways-to-fix-it-11364000314532

after i reformated i never got the issue again.

this issues has been around for a long time

Thank you! I've tried everything in that article but reinstall, and I'm hesitant since I don't want to have to reinstall everything.  I can live with it for the time being, it's just a hassle.

Disable Aero.

have you tried to do a restore to a earlier date?

All of the restore points are gone for some reason, I could not uninstall the update either.

Those are indicators of a bigger, deeper-seated problem.

I came home today and everything miraculously started working again. Hmmmm

I make it a point of staying one step behind any new operating system.

V

See if a classic shell may take over those functions..

http://www.classicshell.net/

Most people dog on W10 because of the shitty layout, using classic shell makes it better than any of the previous windows

I ran win10 perfect until the anniversary update and now my computer sucks.. I have spent hours rolling back drivers and turning shit of. My laptop is a few years old so who knows if some drivers will ever be updated. I actually like the win10 layout and it worked well with touchscreen.

Now that they force updates on you whether you want it or not I wonder if something else might work just as well. I do simple stuff on my laptop I don't need all this crap.

I wonder if the stuff you mentioned actually isn't working or if the latency is so high it seems like it isn't working. I can hit the start icon and nothing happens for like 15 seconds.. then the menu pops up.