Installed Programs Disappear On Start Screen

Always keep a list of disabled services as you disable them! I spent a dramatic amount of time referencing 2-3 resources for each service I disabled and have had no issues up until now. I disabled a few in a row without restarting and managed to forget which they were. this has caused two issues If I can't/don't - the end result will be me having to reset them all to default, go through them one by one again - AND STILL not know which was the one(s) that caused my problem(s) which will risk the same thing happening again.

1) I set an account picture to my Microsoft.net account for windows 8.1x64 (the one that pops up when you turn on your PC and have to enter your password right after the lock screen but before windows) and after a restart, it disappears and goes back to the default grey square with a white outline of an avatar)

2) all my installed programs disappeared on the start screen! It's literally blank. I didn't have much due to it being a fairly new install but they all disappeared including PC settings and metro store (the two metro apps I had left). I checked if the apps still worked (mumble for example because it also disappeared) and they did, but if you go under program data/start menu/programs etc, all the folders with the app shortcuts in them are gone!

I tried to reinstall mumble; and it reinstalled fine, but still NO folder w shortcut being placed in the start menu therefore nothing being put on the start/apps screen. What on earth could be doing this service wise?