Settings App Won't Open

Question

As the title suggests, the Settings app has stopped working in Windows 11. CTRL + I doesn't work, typing Win + R and then "ms-settings:" doesn't work but returns the error message "File System Error (-2147219196). Here is all the things I have already tried that have brought no success

1. Attempting to reset the app: I can't open the settings, so right-clicking the settings app and clicking "App-Settings" simply doesn't work.
2. Running sfc /scannow and DISM.exe: Both have showed no corruption of any system files and had no success fixing the issue.
3. Renaming the ImmersiveControlPanel folder and running sfc /scannow to manually rebuild it: Same problem as before
4. Running every possible powershell command. This includes re-registering the app, re-installing the app, getting/removing/adding the appxpackage. Basically, if you suggest a powershell command as a solution, I have already tried it to no success.
5. Adding a new user: The Settings app won't open for any user.
6. Upgrading Windows via CMD (PSWindowsUpdate): Windows 11 is already on the latest build (22000.613). Has not fixed the error.
7. Performing a re-install of Windows 11 via the official ISO file: Settings app still not able to open.
8. System Restore: The PC I am attempting to fix does not have any restore points prior to the occurance of the issue.
9. Running a .bat file with the following code: @echo off taskkill /f /im explorer.exe taskkill /f /im shellexperiencehost.exe timeout /t 3 /NOBREAK > nul del %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState* /q timeout /t 2 /NOBREAK > nul start explorer @echo on

Answer 1

Hello Akazumiii,

Good day! I'm John Dev a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

If most methods fail, you may need to consider performing "Reset this PC" with the "Keep my files" option.

Please try to return to the login screen

While holding the Left Shift key, click the Power icon > Restart

This will bring you to Windows Recovery Environment

Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files

Please wait for the process to complete

Please check Shawn Brink's tutorial guide below for more details

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/reset-windows-11-...

Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

Kind regards,

John DeV

Independent Advisor

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