Knowing how to fix the Microsoft Windows 10 Settings app can be a real lifesaver. If you were to lose access to it for some reason, you wouldn’t be able to make any changes to your computer. The reason as to why the Windows Setting’s app might fail can vary, but there are various methods you can try to fix it.
A bug in an update may have misconfigured something, or maybe you installed a software that is making the app malfunction. It’s a good idea to know what caused it, but you probably couldn’t care less as to the why and want it fixed now.
What to Do When the Windows Settings App Doesn’t Open
If you’re taken to the Store app or the Windows Setting won’t open at all, here’s a tip you can try. Sometimes, trying Microsoft’s troubleshooter is all you need to fix it. There is no guarantee that the troubleshooter will work but it’s definitely worth a try.
Fix the Settings App by Using the Command Prompt
Sometimes the only fix and an app has when it’s giving you problems is to uninstall and then reinstall it. There is a code you can use with the command prompt that will not only uninstall the settings app but all Windows apps as well.
Make sure that when you launch the command prompt, you’re using it as an administrator. A quick way to open the command prompt is by right-clicking on the Windows Start menu and choosing that option.
Once you have the command prompt enter the following command:
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
Creating a New Administrator Account
Drastic times call for drastic measures if nothing has worked so far you can try creating a new administrator account. You can do this by typing lusrmgr.msc in the search box. When the Common Console Document appears, select Users and then right-click on New User.
Add your information in the box that’ll appear and sign out of the current administrator account you’re using. Sign into your new account by pressing the CTRL + Alt + Del, or you can also access it through the Start menu too.
You can only do this if you have Windows 10 Pro, but since most users have Windows 10, Home Edition lets see what steps you’ll need to follow with this version.
To create a new Window s user using the command prompt enter the following command:
net user newusername newpassword /add
The command prompt should say that the command has been entered successfully. Once this is done, go to the Control Panel > User Account | Manage another account. Choose the account you just made and select the option that says, Administrator. Check to see if you can open the Settings app now.
Hopefully, you’re able to use the Settings app now. Don’t forget to sign out of your old account and into your new one. Now, it’s time to transfer all your files to your new account.
How to Transfer Files from One Windows Administrator Account to Another
Transfering files from one administrator account to another is not as hard as it may seem. You’ll need to start off by going to the system hard drive in the File Explorer. Click on the View tab and check the box for the Hidden items option.
Go to the old user account that’s located in the File Explorer, in other words, C:/Users/old account name by default. Double-click on it and a prompt telling you that you currently don’t have permission to access the account should appear.
No need to panic, click continue and enter your password and copy and paste the files you want to transfer. This is also an excellent opportunity to do some file cleaning and get rid of the files you don’t need anymore.
Transfer the files to C:/Users/newusername by default. Select Yes when you see the message that asks you if you want to combine the two accounts.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the tips mentioned here will get the Settings app working again. Microsoft is aware of the issue, and if you haven’t already, you should get an update that’ll fix the problem soon. Do you have a tip I didn’t mention? If so, let us know what it is in the comments.
Ken says
This helped when everything else failed! Simply explained and each action undertaken without problem. I’ve been a whole week trying to sort out various problems, including the missing “Settings” folder, the problems with Microsoft’s Windows 10 “Update Assistant” that kept informing me that the language of my system was not compatible with the update, and so on! Now, thanks to you, I’m sailing again!
Yan Gin Aung says
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
Thomas Przybylinski says
so user profiles still getting corrupt? lol. this has been a thing since atleast NT 3.5