Windows 7 - Windows 7 empty menus

Hi guys,
I've got a 64bit HP laptop runnig windows 7.
It was upgraded from Vista when 7 came out and has been perfect (literally) since.
But 2 weeks ago it started reseting the user profile etc and now the Start menu opens with nothing inside it.

I've seen the 'usual' fix for this (start menu/right click/open all users/create new folder/drag stuff into it etcetc) but unfortunately when I right click anywhere and select 'new' the menu it expands just says 'empty' and that i can't find any reference to anywhere.

If it helps, one other issue i've noticed (all connected I assume as happened at the same time) is that all apps seem to have 'forgotten' that they ha eve been opened before or registered.

yup, pretty sure i'm screwed, but if not would be great to have a fix! please!

regards, Rich

I would run sfc /scannow from and an elevated command prompt

sorry for a stupid question - but what's an elevated command prompt?

does that mean do start/cmd/sfc/scannow?

and what does that do?

cheers, Rich

Its not a stupid question, a stupid question would have been if you thought it and never asked

sfc=system file check

it verifies your system files

To open an elevated command prompt open the start menu type cmd.exe in the search bar.
right click it and run as administrator.

Hi guys,
thanks for the help so far.
sfc/scannow scan completed fine with no issues at all...

any suggestions what to do next.
primary problems:
1. user profile resets
2. start menu / programs (submenu) empty
3. right click / new (submenu) empty

cheers in advance, Rich

I would install ccleaner.
And tell it to clear menu cache.

i've installed cCleaner

I can see a 'menu order cache' under the cleaner/windows/advanced tab.
Is that the one?

That sounds right :P

hiya, unfortunately ccleaner hasn't made any impact on the problem.