Start menu doesn't work after update

I would check your settings as it may be you accidentally set Start8 to open that menu.

If it is set correctly in Start8 (both on the Style page and on the Control page) then it may be Start8 isn't running at all.  In which case uninstall Start8, reboot and reinstall it as it may be a file has been installed incorrectly.

OK, that worked. Settings were all good. I uninstalled, then downloaded and reinstalled. Looks like it's supposed to now.

I had the same thing happen when updating to 1.41.  Everything disappeared.  Fortunately installing 1.41 a second time followed by a second reboot fixed it.  Fwiw, I had the same issue with Win 8.1.1 & 1.40.1, except in that instance, the update literally wiped out everything from \ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu. 

i have a question i got a email that ms will be coming up with a update to windows 8 sometime in august and it will include supposedly a windows 7 style start menu i am quite happy with start 8 and have been from the beginning i am hoping we will not be forced to uninstall when the ms update comes out any input on this would be appreciated-thanks

The timetable for the next update from MS, and what indeed will be included, is still nebulous.  When it is know, we will respond accordingly.