Windows 8 "Change PC Settings" Not working

Question

I recently discovered that many of the Windows 8 apps I have on my new Asus laptop has gone missing such as the store icon. I was trying to locate the store icon because I know it was there when I first started using Windows 8 but I found out its not there any more about 2 days ago. I then tried to open "Change PC Settings" but It did not work. Everytime I click it, nothing will show up. 

So I'm very frustrated because I do not know what to do.

I tried to locate the windows store app and its no where.

I tried to click on Change PC Settings so I can do a system refresh and see if I bring it back to the point where I first got the laptop but still nothing.

Please help as soon as possible. I would really like a resolution on how to get it back to normal and hopefully without effecting all the files I have already on the computer.

Answer 1

Hi Ashley,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community and thank you for giving us a chance to assist you.

It can be very frustrating to not be able to use the computer properly. I see that the Store app is missing and you are unable to access the change PC settings menu.

Please answer these questions so I get a better understanding of the issue.

1. Do you get any error code or error message on startup?
2. Have you activated Windows 8?
3. Have any changes been made to the computer before this issue occured?

You can try these methods to check if the issue gets resolved.

Method 1: Run the app troubleshooter.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/4/F24D0C03-4181-4E5B-A23B-5C3A6B5974E3/apps.diagcab

Open that link to run the troubleshooter.

**Method 2:**Reset Store Cache and check

a. Press "Windows key + R".

b. Type "wsreset.exe" on Run the window and press enter.

**Method 3:**Check if the issue exists in clean boot.

Follow the steps here to troubleshoot the issue. Once you are in clean boot check if the

settings menu works and see if there is something that conflicts with it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: Once troubleshooting is done please follow "Step 3 :Reset the computer to

start as usual" on the article to boot the computer in normal mode.

**Method 4:**Run a System File Checker scan and check if that helps.

Refer to the following steps to run SFC scan.

a)Move the mouse pointer to bottom left of the screen where you see preview of start menu and Right-click to bring up a list of Windows settings.

b)Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated command prompt. Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for permission.

c)In the command prompt type in the following command: ‘sfc /scannow’.

If a Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected. For example, some Windows functions may not work, or Windows may crash. The System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) scans for missing or corrupted system files and repairs them.

Please get back to us if you need further assistance.

Answer 2

Hello, I first tried Method 1 and when I did that, I clicked "Windows Store Apps", it started detecting the problem and then after it said "Display adapter drivers might be out-of-date". I clicked next and it started resolving the problem, made me restart my PC and still, nothing changed. The Store Icon is still not there and the "Change PC Settings" button still is not working.

Next, I tried Method 2. I pressed Windows + R and it gave me "Run". I typed in wreset.exe and then it said "The cache for the store is cleared, you may now browse the store for apps". So I was thinking that the store icon should appear now, but when I went to the start menu, I still didn't see the store icon. The store is there in my PC and is working, but for some reason, I can't seem to get the icon to show on the start menu. Is there anyway to fix this?

As for Method 3, I'm kind of skeptical to do so, because I am not sure if a system clean boot will totally wipe out all the files, music and other stored information in my computer and that I would have to start over again, which I really rather not do. Will this keep all my files? If so, I will try it.

And lastly as for Method 4, I will get back to you on that, since SFC is still in process...

**Oh and to answer your questions:

1. No I do not get any error code on start up, keep in mind I just got this laptop, last week.
2. Yes I have activated Windows 8 on the laptop
3. And I believe I made some changes but not dramatic changes... I pretty much just downloaded some software games on the laptop, added some other programs on the computer, added a new internet browser: Mozilla Firefox, I set up Windows 8 to my own personalization, added a guest account, and that's pretty much it. Nothing out of the normal for me... I never used Windows 7 before and when I got Windows 8, it was a big change for me, so its still taking some time to get used to it since my last computer was a Windows Vista. I don't know if I deleted any crucial files but I hope not, so this problem can be resolved.

Answer 3

Do you know when the problem began?  Was any other software installed around this time, or any modifications that you are aware of?

In any case, I would suggest trying System Restore to go back in time to before the problem started.  This only takes a few minutes, and won't affect any of your files (it only restores system files and settings).

1 - Press Windows + X to open a shortcut menu, then choose Control Panel.

2 - Go to the System and Security section, then click Action Center.

3 - At the bottom right, choose Recovery, then click the 2nd option for System Restore.

Answer 4

Hi Ashley,

I am glad to know that we were able to fix the issue. In case you need any assistance you are always welcome to post your questions along with your valuable suggestions in this forum.

Thank You.

Answer 5

Actually, I found the solution to the problem with Method 4.

I did exactly what you said. I opened Command Prompt(Admin) and typed in sfc /scannow. The computer than began to scan everything and once that was done, it said Windows fixed all corrupt files and when I checked the start menu, the store Icon appeared and Change PC Settings button now works.

Thank you very much! This was extremely helpful, and informative.