Windows Settings Features Not Working

Question

Hi, my name is Abdal-Qadir. I am using Windows 10 Version 20H2 OS Build 19042.985 on an Aorus 7 KB laptop. I am having the following problems with Windows 10:

No settings features will function. They freeze when I open them and none of the tabs under System are clickable. I also cannot back out to the main settings menu. Screenshot:

A second problem is that Windows Search does not work. It endlessly loads. Screenshot:

My Malwarebytes application does not show up even though the process is present, this is also the case with other applications: Zoom, Monster Hunter: World (a Steam game), but not Steam itself, which is open and works. Webex works. A game emulator I have opens and runs. But others like Malwarebytes do not. Screenshot:

None of my desktop icons will load:

I cannot press the bottom right of the screen to see the desktop either, although this changes sometimes.

Microsoft Word will not open a blank document without freezing.

What I was doing before this happened:

I was trying to optimize my computer to run Monster Hunter: World through Steam with the best framerate/performance using a guide online (https://www.ghostarrow.com/monster-hunter-world-fps-performance-boost-guide). I used Nvidia Control Panel to optimize the settings for this. I placed a code that read -USEALLAVAILABLECORES -high in the game's launch settings through the Steam application. To lower the Memory usage from Windows' Antimalware application, I set Windows Defender's scheduled scanning to scan every month instead of the setting that was there. After this event, I installed Malwarebytes.

I tried to download an application called Intelligent Standby List Cleaner from the same guide, but when I did something strange happened. Windows said that "You don’t have permission to modify files in this network location", which was the Downloads folder. This had never happened before. I closed the message, and when I looked at Downloads it had the application already downloaded, but when I tried to run the application, I got a message that said "This app can't run on your PC". I had uninstalled Steam and redownloaded its setup application, but when I tried to run it I got that same error: "This app can't run on your PC". After this, I think the problems with the Windows features appeared, but they may have happened at the same time. When I noticed one problem and tried to look up the issue and remedy it, I would find another problem.

I did a clean boot on the computer, and also entered into safe mode, where most of the problems were gone except for the "This app can't run on your PC" problem. I have exited safe mode and the problem with the Windows features is still persisting.

While online, I downloaded a batch file which had viruses in it. Malwarebytes picked up on them immediately and quarantined them. I deleted the file which was quarantined. I do not know if this is the source of the problem, but I have definitely done something to mess up my computer.

Please help me or please direct me to someone who can help. I believe I have seen Microsoft employees helping people on forums like these with their computer problems, so that is why I am posting here, but the help of anyone would be appreciated. There are other problems and if I see or think of any, I will add them to the post if possible.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Let's move into Repair Mode since WIndows is not functional and Safe Mode may not be enough to find and fix the problem.

Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button twice until it starts into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/pl-pl/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates as far back as necessary to see if this was caused by an Update,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.
6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Check for any remaining threats still installed in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.

Remove any extensions you didn't add. You can also remove them all to test if the behavior goes away.

Answer 3

I scanned using the AdwCleaner, and deleted what it found. I used Malwarebytes on Safe Mode with rootkit scans included, it did not find any rootkits, or anything else if I remember correctly. I used System File Checker in cmd but nothing came up.

What do you mean by "Check for any remainders in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&..." ? Do you mean to uninstall all extensions or any of these items?

Answer 4

I cannot access Apps and Features, because every item in Settings freezes when I open it, and for some reason, when I restart in Safe Mode with Networking, I cannot look at any of the available networks.

Answer 5

Hi Abdal. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor.

If any steps cannot be performed normally then try them in 1) Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet) or 2) Safe Mode, accessed by one of the illustrated steps in this guide: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf.... You will need to use your password to get into Safe Mode as a PIN is not accepted

Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&....

In the Malwarebytes Settings > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&... Remove whatever it finds.

Check for any remainders in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&....

If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place, by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows-10/m..., open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This will solve most problems and also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Account Details tab.

See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

Try re-registering the Settings app from Option 2 here: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3175-apps-re...

If necessary use the Command Prompt or do System Restore in Repair Mode: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.