file system error (- 2147219196

Question

i cant click my start button and my settings app will not open tried resetting i tired making a new user nothings working im not sure what to do

Answer 1

Hi, good day!

• When was the last time it worked properly?
• Have you made any changes to your compute recently?

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Answer 2

The symptoms (Start button and Settings not opening, file system error) indicate corruption or issues with built‑in apps and shell components. Use the following steps in order:

1. Run System File Checker (SFC)
   1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
   2. Select File > Run new task.
   3. Type cmd, check “Create this task with administrative privileges”, and select OK.
   4. In the Command Prompt window, run:

            sfc /scannow
      

   5. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on‑screen instructions. This will repair missing or corrupted system files.
2. Re‑register Settings and built‑in apps
   1. In Task Manager, go to File > Run new task.
   2. Type powershell, check “Create this task with administrative privileges”, and select OK.
   3. In the PowerShell window, run these commands one at a time (ignore red errors and let each complete):

            Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}
            
            Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
      

   4. After both commands finish, restart the PC and test the Start button and Settings.
3. Check and repair file system and registry permissions (if apps still won’t start) If Microsoft Store apps or Settings still fail to open, permissions may have been changed: • Fix file system permissions changed manually:
   1. Open File Explorer via Task Manager (File > Run new task > explorer.exe).
   2. Right‑click C:\Program Files > Properties > Security > Advanced.
   3. Select Change permissions > Add > Select a principal.
   4. Choose the local computer as location, add ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
   5. Set Type = Allow, Applies to = “This folder, subfolder, and files”.
   6. Check Read & Execute, List folder contents, and Read.
   7. Check “Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permission entries from this object”, then Apply and OK.
   8. Repeat steps 2–7 for C:\Windows.
   9. Repeat for C:\Users, but grant ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES Full Control.
   • Fix registry permissions changed manually:
   1. Run regedit.exe from Task Manager (Run new task as admin).
   2. Right‑click HKEY_USERS > Permissions and ensure ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES has Read.
   3. Repeat for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
   4. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, check subkeys HARDWARE, SAM, SOFTWARE, SYSTEM and ensure ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES has Read.
   If Group Policy is managing permissions (on a domain‑joined PC), a Group Policy administrator must adjust File System and Registry permissions to include ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES as described in the context.
4. If corruption is severe If, after SFC, re‑registering apps, and fixing permissions, core apps still fail to start, backing up important data and performing a Reset this PC (keeping files) or a clean reinstall of Windows may be required to fully restore default permissions and system components.

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References:

• Error: Windows Explorer has stopped working
• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start
• Microsoft Store Apps fail to start if default registry or file permissions modified
• Network settings crash settings app, wifi and Ethernet not working or appearing - Microsoft Q&A
• Plethora of issues relating to windows and possibly security. - Microsoft Q&A