layout missing in Settings >Personalization > Start

Question

Installed 2025-09 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5065789) (26100.6725)

The install went fine. Right after the install "Settings > Personalization > Start" at the top of the menu showed the three layouts. After a short time period I no longer have the layout section.

An explanation might be that I did a "Check Health of Windows Image" and it showed that I had recoverable errors. So I did a "Repair Windows Image" which completed successfully. A subsequent SFC /Scannow showed no errors.

Any thoughts on this? You think repairing the Windows Image might have caused the missing layout section? Any way to get layout back?

Upgraded to 25H2 and layout is still missing.

Answer 1

Hello!

I haven't found any information about this issue in recent updates, but it may be a bug affecting only your current user profile. Create a new user and see if the issue persists.

1. Go to System Settings (CTRL + I) > Select ''Accounts'' > 'Family and other users'' > ''Add another person to this PC'.
2. On the Accounts screen, choose the option ''I don’t have that person’s login information' > Then select ''Add a user without a Microsoft account''.
3. Click on the newly created user > Click "Change account type" > Under Account Type, change the option "Default User" to "Administrator" > Click "OK".
4. Enter the username, and password (optional, leave blank if you do not want to put password) > Click ''Next'.
5. Press the shortcut CTRL + ALT + DEL (DELETE) > Select ''Exit'' option > On the Login screen, choose the new user created.
6. See if the problem will occur with this new user.

Answer 2

I think it might be an update bug, or the update caused layout glitches.

See if a Windows Update Repair helps. If it doesn't, you'll either have to reinstall Windows or wait for future updates.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing WINDOWS + I > Select "System" from the Side Menu > Click on the "Recovery" option.
2. Under "Fix problems using Windows Update", click on "Reinstall Now" > Wait for the entire procedure to be completed. NOTE: This procedure may take some time depending on the computer specifications and number of files.