Windows 11 cannot run settings as administrator

Adrian,

Please, now is not the time to abandon me! I have a completely unusable computer!!

Somebody, please help me.

The system restore failed because of anti-malware programs I have, so I was going to turn them off and try again.

However, it now takes 10 minutes before the computer even finishes booting up, and after that, it still never gets to the desktop, but instead goes back to the sign in screen and I could probably sit here until the cows come home.

I now have a completely unusable computer. 

After being a user of Windows for 40 years, I’m starting to think it’s time for me to go to a MacIntosh …

Thanks for the detailed follow-up, Harold. I understand how frustrating this must be. Since standard methods haven’t worked, let’s try some solutions to restore access to the Settings app in Windows 11.

Let's try these steps.

1. Let’s check and repair any corrupted system files:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Run these commands one at a time:

sfc /scannow

Then:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After completion, restart your PC and try opening Settings again.

2. Re-register Settings App via PowerShell

Press Windows + X, choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)

Paste this command and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage windows.immersivecontrolpanel | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Then restart and try again.

3. Create a New Local User Account

This helps determine if it's a profile-specific issue.

Manage User Accounts in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/man...

If it works in the new account, your current profile may be corrupted.

4. Use System Restore (if available)

If this issue started recently and you have System Restore enabled,

Type "rstrui" into the Run box (Windows + R)

Follow the prompts to restore to a point before the issue started

5. Last Resort: In-place Windows Repair

This keeps your files and apps but repairs core system components:

How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

We're getting close—I’ll stick with you until this is sorted.

Best regards,

Adrian A.

1. My time zone is set correctly.

2. I do have a VPN (Malwarebytes), but when I turned it off, that didn't help.

3. Re: proxy server: I went to Settings -> Proxy and saw that "Automatically detect settings" was on. I tried turning it off, but that didn't help

4. I do use Malwarebytes, but when I turned it off, that still didn't help.

5. My Windows is up-to-date.

6. I tried a clean boot, but that didn't help.

There is still no joy in Mudville...

Any more suggestions anyone?

Hello Harold,

Thanks for describing your situation. I’m Adrian, an Independent Advisor. I’ll walk you through what we can do. I’m here to help troubleshoot it with you.

To better understand the problem, could you please confirm a few more details?

***Is your region and time zone set correctly in Windows?

(You can check this in Settings > Time & Language > Date & time.)

***Are you currently using any VPN or proxy services on your PC?

***Do you have any third-party antivirus or security software running that might be blocking system apps?

***Is your Windows fully updated?

In the meantime, please try the following steps:

1. Try Opening Settings via Direct URI

Sometimes, accessing the setting directly bypasses the issue.

Press Windows + R, type:

ms-settings:privacy-location

and hit Enter.

If that opens the Location settings directly, you can try enabling it from there.

2. Update your PC to ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed:

Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.

3. Verify your time zone and region settings are correct:

Navigate to Settings > Time & Language > Date & time and confirm your region and time zone.

4. If you are using a VPN or proxy, please temporarily disable it and try opening Settings again.
5. Perform a clean boot

Select Search, type msconfig, and then select System Configuration from the list of results.

On the Services tab of System Configuration, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then select Disable all. Select Apply.

On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select Open Task Manager.

On the Startup apps tab in Task Manager, for each Enabled startup item, select the item and then select Disable. (Keep track of which items have been Disabled. You will need to know this later.)

Close Task Manager.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you still have questions or need further guidance on the steps. I'm here to help.

Best regards,

Adrian A.