"System Settings" and "Display Preferences" crash and close when I attempt to open them -no online solutions work

Hi Jack,

I'm having the exact same issue that you've outlined in your post. I've uninstalled all AMD Radeon related software and have verified that after booting up my mac mini without my AMD GPU, everything works normally. Were you able to find a combination of drivers that works for you? I've reinstalled the GPU drivers from Microsoft without the AMD Radeon Software and I seem to be running into the same issue again. It's frustrating because I too had a perfect setup about 2 months ago.

Thanks!

I did not make any recent changes in the past month to my computer and have maintained fairly normal usage.

Before I go through your list of methods, I should elaborate a little more on the issue: my full-screen start menu lost its color and turned grey along with the icons, and my main monitor no longer displays its unique background, instead copying my secondary dual-screen monitor's background; in addition to all aforementioned issues. All issues started happening simultaneously; except the start menu losing its color, which happened just a short while later.

To make absolutely sure nothing was skipped, I'll repeat any methods you list that I may have already performed.

Method 1: Failed

I completed all the commands. I actually briefly got stuck at 9% on sfc /scannow but I was able to resolve that by closing and reopening admin-level Command Prompt, and then doing the DISM commands first before doing the sfc /scannow command. But yes, opening Settings and then going to System still recreates my described issue.

Method 2: Failed

Another bit of context that might have been helpful for me to mention: this is a bootcamped Mac Mini 2020 (non-M1) computer running Windows 10 Home. Subsequently, I chose to not disable Apple programs I thought might be important to leave on and because I trust Apple to not be the root cause.

Also, this computer is connected to an eGPU by Razer, containing a Vega 64 graphics card, meaning I will be leaving on their Radeon Settings Host Service to ensure the graphics work. These are the only things not disabled. Specific list of things not disabled: Radeon Settings: Host Service, iTunesHelper, iCloud Status Window, iCloud Shared Albums, iCloud Photos, iCloud Internet Explorer Bookmarks, iCloud Drive, and Boot Camp Manager (mission critical to this computer's functionality).

Method 3: Failed

Now this one I actually did choose not to repeat since you said that's fine, as it was a little tedious the first time. But yes, I did create an additional admin-level account and test if this issues persists on said account, which it does.

Important Note: AMD graphics may be culprit somehow

I have strong suspicion there is an issue related to my eGPU, Vega 64 graphics card, AMD Radeon drivers/software, or their relationship with bootcamp. If you have ever used an eGPU with a Mac Mini in a bootcamp Windows 10 environment, you would be surprised how finnicky it can sometimes be to get everything working and displaying properly; things as seemingly random as putting the Thunderbolt 3 into the farthest-left Thunderbolt 3 hole instead of a different one can be the deciding factor in if the eGPU works. While restarting and reconnecting my HDMI cords to different holes, I noticed something. While I could not get both displays functioning correctly without an additional restart, I was able to access a fully function System Settings area while just 1 display was running while directly connected to my Mac Mini -not connected to the graphics card.

Advice on how to proceed is welcome, but online advice has been finnicky and numerous yet unreliable for me when handling this specific setup.

Edit: I just did a clean uninstall of the garbage Radeon software AMD requires you to use with their graphics card, and that caused the System Settings to work again. This was on a stable release of their software, not a cutting-edge one, so I am very disappointed in them.

Thank you for your help and time initially. Go ahead and mark this issue as solved; and maybe tell AMD their software is breaking your operating system.

Hi Jack -

I'm Jerico T., one of the Independent Advisor and a fellow Windows 10 user like you. I understand that you're having some issues right now, let us sort things out.

Have you made any changes on your computer before the issue occurs? Let's try the methods below and check if any of the resolves fixes the issue.

Method 1: Perform SFC Scan and Repair Windows Image (You may skip this method if you already done it)

-This process will perform scan for any corrupted system files or integrity violation and will attempt to repair it along with the Windows Image.

1. Open command prompt with administrator access
2. Type each command below and wait until scan is completed.

* sfc /scannow

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Quick note: While the command is running, it's expected to see the process stuck at 20 or 40 percent. After a few minutes, the process will complete successfully.

Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will connect to the Windows Update servers to download and replace any damaged files in the local image for Windows 10 as necessary.

3. Close the command prompt.

Method 2: Perform Clean Boot

• This process will eliminate 3rd party application running in the background of your computer along with services that are not needed to run windows. If there's any conflicting 3rd party application that causes the issue on your computer, this process will stop it.

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows Key + R and type msconfig
2. System Configuration Utility box will open and by default you are on general tab.
3. On the General tab, click the selective startup and make sure that load system service and load startup items both have checked mark.
4. Click on services tab
5. Put a check mark on Hide All Microsoft Services > This is a very important part as if you miss to click on this, computer might not boot properly or permanently and will end up on clean installation.
6. Once Hide all Microsoft Services have checked mark on it, click on Disable All
7. Click on the Startup Tab and click open task manager. This will open another window which contains all your startup applications on the administrator account.
8. Disable all application that you're not using. You can simply just click on them and select disable.
9. Click OK , Apply and close the configuration utility.

Method 3: Create a new user profile

• We will try to create new user profile to check if the issue happens on all windows users on your computer or just isolated on the current profile that you're using.

1. Open the command prompt with elevated access (Administrator Access)
2. Type the below command and hit enter every after command.

net user "account name" /add

(change the "account name" to any name that you preferred)

net localgroup administrators "account name" /add

(change the "account name" with the name that you put in the first command)

3. Close the command prompt and switch to the new user.

Check if the same issue occurs on the new user profile.

If the above methods did not work, please don't hesitate to reach us back.

Hope this help. Have a good day and Happy Holidays!

Thank you.

Jerico T.

Independent Advisor

Hi Jack -

Thank you for your response and for the additional information. I'm glad you were able to fix and resolve your issue.

Advance Happy New Year!

Regards,

Jerico T.