Ever since the release of Windows 8, Microsoft has been trying to please tablet users by introducing touch-friendly universal apps, and Store, and new gestures. In Windows 10, Microsoft has enhanced the Settings app to make it easy-to-navigate and include new options.
In Windows 10, users need to access the Settings app more often than the classic Control Panel as settings for newly added features are exclusively available on the Settings app only.
Over the past few days, we have seen many users complaining that the Settings app can’t be launched by clicking the Settings icon on the Start menu. Some users are also reporting that the Settings app not working correctly.
If the Settings app is not opening or working, you may try the following solutions.
Fix 1 of 9
Check if Settings app is disabled
There is a provision in Group Policy and Windows Registry to disable the Settings app. So, it’s a good idea to check it’s disabled before trying out other solutions. Refer to our how to enable or disable Settings in Windows 10 to enable the Settings via Group Policy or Settings.
Fix 2 of 9
Reset the Settings app in Windows 10
There is a hidden option present in Windows 10 to reset the Settings app. Here is how to do that.
Step 1: Type “Settings” in the Start/taskbar search field to see the Settings app in the search results.
Step 2: Right-click on the Settings app entry and then click App settings to open the advanced settings page of Settings.
Step 3: Here, click on the Reset button. Click the Reset button again when you see a pop-up dialog with the Reset button.
Fix 3 of 9
Reinstall the Settings app in Windows 10
Like other apps, one can also reinstall the Settings app in Windows 10. All you need to do is execute a command from the PowerShell window.
Step 1: Open the PowerShell as an administrator. To do that, right-click on the Start and then click PowerShell (admin). Click on the Yes button when you get the User Account Control prompt.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following command at the window and then hit the Enter key to reinstall the Settings app.
Get-AppXPackage | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode – Register “$($_.InstallLocation) \AppXManifest.xml”}
Fix 4 of 9
Use this official troubleshooter
Microsoft has released a troubleshooter to fix various Windows 10 issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot page and run the Windows Store apps troubleshooter. After running the troubleshooter, click the Next button to let the troubleshooter scan and fix the issue.
When it detects the problem, click the Next button to fix the issue.
Fix 5 of 9
Install available updates
Microsoft has been releasing fixes to address various Windows 10 issues, including the Settings app. So, make sure that your Windows 10 installation is up-to-date before jumping to other fixes.
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Try to access the Settings app from other places
There are a couple of ways out there to open the Settings app in Windows 10. You can use the Windows logo + I hotkey or click on the action center icon (in system tray) and then click All Settings to open the same.
Fix 7 of 9
Repair Windows 10 system files
The Settings app might not open if one of its fails is corrupted. Repairing system files should fix this. Refer to our how to repair corrupted Windows 10 system files guide for instructions.
Fix 8 of 9
Create a new user account
More often than not, modern apps like Settings work without any issues on a newly created user account. So, create a new local or Microsoft user account and then check if the Settings app is opening. If it’s working, you can migrate your data from the previous account to the new one before deleting the old user account.
Fix 9 of 9
Repair Windows 10
If none of the above solutions helped you to open Settings, please consider repairing your Windows 10 installation by keeping your important data. Refer to our how to repair Windows 10 installation guide for directions.
If nothing works, reset your Windows 10 PC or reset Windows 10 PC to factory settings.
Bill says
half of these fixes have to do with going into the settings the the articles name is “Fix: Settings App Not Working Or Opening In Windows 10” so how are you supposed to do these fixes if your settings isn’t opening or working?
Jonas says
OMG. Just tried the solution with Win + I, and now it opened. And now I can open it as regular again too. Sooooo wierd.
Jonas says
The Get-AppXPackage doesn’t work. Says it’s a error in that script:
Add-AppxPackage : A positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument ‘Register’.
At line:1 char:28
+ … | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode – Register “$($_. …
Sixto says
At the Run command: gpedit.msc
User Configuration
Administrative Templates
Control Panel
Prohibit Access to to Control Panel and PC Settings — set to “Not Configured” or “Disabled”.
Doopop Doubly says
Okay so I installed a skinpack a few months ago and when my PC turned back on it totally ruined my PC Settings. Meaning I haven’t been able to go into my Windows 10 Settings for a while. What do I do?
Alexandre says
My case: somehow the account was placed to local group “Guests”, the respective profile was marked “Temporary” (see registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList\\S-1-5-21-xxx \\State = 0x80).
The solution: remove this account from “Guests”
command-line: net localgroup Guests username /delete
Powershell: Remove-LocalGroupMember guests username
Roman Nadden says
In Apps and Features, the list is blank and the I tried everything except Fix 5 and 6. After a week of researching, I gave up. I finally called Microsoft support. According to the technician, the April quality update was causing this issue.
The solution is to download the Windows Media Creation Tool and run it. Select the option to create an ISO image and save it to your desktop. Right click on the file, select open with Windows Explorer, right click on “setup.exe” and select “Run as Administrator”. It is very important that the account performing this action is signed into the PC locally (It will not work if you are connected to a domain) and is an account administrator. The whole process takes less than an hour varying depending on your internet speed. Here is the link for the download:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Nuclearkahuna says
I did a complete reset to factory settings with 0n my windows 10 laptop with a computer geek and everything comes on except when I click on calculator & settings a dark yellow pix shows and nothing..Yet once I open up it again and click it off 3 times,it comes on and I can see what I need.Why it does this is confusing.
kakero says
hello thanks alot
Aashima says
Ever since i installed build 14942 my computer is totally frozen. I am unable to use
My settings app is not working . My start menu is not working. I can’t go into safe mode in Windows 10. Fix my computer so I can update my computer. My control is frozen too.
Everything is frozen.
Richard Williams says
Windows 10 gets 95% done, then fails and reverts back to the previous version 8.1 error code 8007002-C4000D