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Windows 10 Start Menu, DEAD, INVALID shortcut under ' Other ' category.

I have a frustration, with Windows 10 Start Menu.

Before I go into details... I'm asking to please refrain from posting if the only solutions offered are those asking to try SFC and DISM utilities, Reset PC, and create another Windows User Account Profile.

There exists under the ' Other ' category at the bottom of the Start Menu listing. Dead, invalid shortcut that belonged to the older version of Windows Feedback store-app. I've had the latest Feedback app since it was released, version 1.3.1741.0 since July sometime.

I never noticed this anomaly until just today, I'm thinking the two Windows updates that came in recently, one of these must have forced an Start Menu refresh.

This dead, invalid shortcut under the ' Other ' category at the bottom of the Start Menu list, shows as followed;

@{Microsoft.WindowsFeedback_10.0.10586.0_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txewy?ms-resource://Microsoft.WindowsFeedback/FeedbackApp.Resources/AppName/Text}

There's a Start Menu Troubleshooter for Windows 10, this doesn't recognize this type of issue.

I'm aware of where the problem lies, and no means to address this. Is there means offered to correct this issue? Thanks in advanced.

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Hi,

Before we proceed, I would like you to send us the screenshot of the error you receive under the Start Menu.

As per the information, I suspect that the above is not a malfunction of the Start Menu but might be a corruption of the Feedback app. To check if the above caused by the update mentioned by you, I suggest that you perform System Restore and check if the above rectifies. To do so refer to the section, Restore from a System Restore point provided in the link below

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

Also, to learn how to attach a screenshot to your post refer to the help article: How to include a screenshot in your post 

Hope this helps

Regards

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Actually the problem was that when the Microsoft Feedback store-app updated last (which was in July.) The process failed to properly uninstall itself, it left several traces in the registry pointing to the redundant version. Typically when a store-app gets updated, it's using the same Application reference. Application reference is used for instance.., when It'll be creating a folder in the destination area which in this case be %LocalAppData%\Packages. However the new improved Microsoft Feedback store-app was programmed to create a new Application reference to reflect hub system. Therefore when my Windows automatically grabbed and installed this newer version of the Microsoft Feedback, it initially wasn't programmed at the time to follow proper removal procedures.

Windows 10 uses also ESE database for the Start Menu. ESE is Extensible Storage Engine technology, also known as JET Blue. Store-Apps are linked from there, and it so happens that the redundant Microsoft Feedback store-app application reference still remains in there. I don't see no current Windows support to removing redundant links from this database.

Btw; I am one of a number of people who had our System Restore disabled upon upgrading to the later Windows 10 build, and I decided to let it remain that way.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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Last-night I've came across another who just observed this issue after the recent two Windows Updates. They posted about the near time as I have, but on tenforums.com;

Weird Microsoft Windows Feedback icon in start menu

Despite my detailed posts, including exactly where the problem lies. I guess this issue will fall in between the cracks like another similar one on here that was posted in August.

I guess you won't find the development department hanging around on these forums. Based on actual evidence, problems with Microsoft products, that most workers on here don't have direct lines to the development departments.

Microsoft is making changes, and taking away some configurability and controls. Using ESE databases like it is with Start Menu, Edge favourites and whatever. I can foresee a lot of issues, every-thing from redundant entries to missing stuff caused by database corruptions by hardware and software (malicious or otherwise.)

Everything about this Feedback app and phantom entry in the Start Menu, this doesn't install confidence with Windows 10 and its support.

... funny I'm always the one defending Microsoft and, Windows 10.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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Just a follow-up; I know that the people here aren't part of the Microsoft development department, I didn't expect much when I've posted my type of issue. I was hoping someone on here knew of ESE, and has some suggestions for editing ESE files to remove the redundant Windows Feedback app from it.

Anyways this morning I've went through Answer Desk to make contact. Stated my issue and exactly the fault, they forwarded me over to the professional technical department. Whom is forwarded me to higher ups, I'm expected to get a phone call on the 31st.

Hopefully Fix-It tool will eventually be made available, to seek out redundant Start Menu items and properly remove. How it is currently, Start Menu maintains store-app shortcuts, and pinned Start apps in these ESE database. You cant visit the following locations in Windows and think you'll be-able to copy, create, delete these types of shortcuts;

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

... we are loosing controls in Windows 10.

 

Will keep you all posted.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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Microsoft phoned this morning. The person on the other end wanted to remote my PC, but like I told the other ones, like I was telling this person earlier. It’s futile to remote when this problem lies with the Start Menu ESE database file used to maintain Windows 10 Store-Apps and pinned Start items.

I’m not familiar of any utility that’s freely available to edit ESE databases, and ESE is Microsoft format. It’ll need to be Microsoft to make a Fix-It that’ll scan through their own ESE database file looking for redundant, obsolete entries.

Wasn’t on the phone for no more than 3-5mins, and I couldn’t make out clearly what the person was saying all. Was mentioned about closing my case, and something about waiting around.

At the moment, I’m not sure what will come from my attempts to bring awareness to this issue with Start Menu also using ESE database file, and having redundant, obsolete Start Menu items such as the old Microsoft Windows Feedback system.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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Since my initial post, and the procedures I've taking to report this. Was all for not, to-date nothing came from it...
"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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The issue has been rectified. Unfortunately the time wasted posting here, and the call(S) to Microsoft support was a complete utter waste of time. Microsoft is eager to support,... my ordeal proved otherwise!

I fixed Microsoft's screw-up and removed the phantom startup entry myself, and after learning some of the ESE language I've programmed something in matter of minutes to delete that phantom Start Menu entry.

Because of this, this alone, this topic can be marked solved. Thank you anyways.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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I fixed Microsoft's screw-up and removed the phantom startup entry myself, and after learning some of the ESE language I've programmed something in matter of minutes to delete that phantom Start Menu entry.

I've the same problem, different file:

Any pointers on how you solved this yourself appreciated. Thanks.

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Hi hornirl. I'm not sure how helpful, already basically giving lot on the subject.

Basically programmed a utility that specifically looked for that phantom entry that I had. You need to remove that entry from a table in the Start Menu ESE database. You won't be-able to make the modification to the Start Menu ESE database while currently logged in with the problematic user account. You have to sign-out and sign into different account to make the manipulation to the Start Menu ESE database file. You need to find ESE editor, but that's where the problem lies. All there is on the Internet is viewers, and that's no help. Hence why I've had to learn the ESE language and programmed up a little something to help my specific case.

It should have been Microsoft that helped me. Instead I was ignored, and it seems problems extended beyond the Windows Feedback app, like I have predicted.

"No one has ever become poor by giving"

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Thanks for this. Would you happen to know which edb file I need to look at (looks like vedatamodel.edb in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer\Database stores tile data)? I'm wondering if it's worth trying to delete it, and seeing if the system will automatically regenerate a new one. Or if it's possible to tell the system to rebuild one.

Maybe we need an answer from Microsoft on this.

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Last updated March 17, 2024 Views 195 Applies to: