You may already be aware that Microsoft has made it more challenging for users to access the Control Panel if you are using Windows 11. Windows 11 does include a control panel, but you have to use Windows search to find it. Although it’s simple to reach the Control Panel in Windows 11, many users have trouble getting it to launch on their computers.
Unbeknownst to you, the Control Panel serves as a central location for a variety of tools for accessing and modifying different operating system settings. You may access the User Account Settings, Network & Sharing settings, BitLocker encryption, Accessibility settings, and more using the Control Panel, for instance.
Many users have recently complained that after installing the Windows 11 update, the Control Panel would not open. Thus, you are reading the correct advice if your Windows 11 PC is giving you similar problems.
How to Fix Windows 11’s Control Panel Not Opening
A few of the greatest fixes for Windows 11 computers’ Control Panel not opening will be covered in this post. To assist you in resolving practically all Control Panel-related issues on your computer, we have provided basic solutions. Now let’s look at how to resolve Windows 11’s Control Panel not opening issue.
1. Restart Your PC
All background programs and processes are closed when your computer restarts. Consequently, the Control Panel will open if any process is preventing it from doing so. Thus, if you haven’t restarted your computer in a while, do so now.
Learn more: How to Fix Err_Cache_Miss Error in Chrome
Save all of your tasks beforehand, though, as your unsaved work will be erased when your computer restarts.
2. Upgrade to Windows 11
Numerous Windows 11 customers have reported that updating their OS fixed the problem with the Control Panel not launching.
It’s possible that a problem or issue in the version of Windows 11 you’re using is preventing the Control Panel from launching. Thus, it is advised that you update your Windows 11 computer. This is the method for updating Windows 11.
1. Click on the Windows 11 Start button and select Settings.
2. When the Settings app opens, switch to the Windows Update tab.
3. On the right side, click the Check for Updates button.
4. If any update is available, click the Download & Install button.
That’s it! This is how you can update your Windows 11 to fix the Control Panel not opening issue.
3. Open the Control Panel using the Run command
Use a run command to launch the Control Panel if it isn’t accessible through Windows Search. Here’s how to use the Run command to open the Control Panel in Windows 11.
1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Key + R button.
2. The Run dialog box will open as a result. After typing appwiz.cpl, hit Enter.
And that’s it! This will cause your Windows 11 computer’s Control Panel to launch immediately. Programs can now be uninstalled.
4. Remove the recently installed application
As soon as you install a new app on your computer and it doesn’t open the Control Panel, remove it. Certain applications have the potential to disrupt the Control Panel’s operation and hinder its startup.
If you can’t recall the apps you have recently installed on your system, go through the App settings and manually review the apps. If possible, remove all suspicious apps that you feel are linked with the Control Panel.
5. Check the Important Windows Services
The Windows Error Reporting service sometimes prevents the Control Panel from opening on Windows 11. Besides the Windows Error Reporting service, the service named sppsvc is often responsible for the Control Panel not opening on Windows 11. Here are a few things you need to check.
1. First, click on the Windows 11 Search and type in Services. Next, click on the Services app from the list.
2. On the Services, find and double-click on the Windows Error Reporting service.
3. On the Windows Error Reporting Service Properties, click the Stop button and then the OK button.
4. Next, find the Software Protection service and double-click on it.
5. On the Software Protection Properties, click Start under the Service Status and the OK button.
You are done. After making the above changes, restart your Windows 11 PC to fix the Control Panel not opening problem.
6. Delete the BagMRU and Bags Registry Key
If the Control Panel is still not opening after following the above methods, you must change the Windows Registry. Please create a restore point or export the registry file so that you can restore it later if anything goes wrong.
1. First, click on the Windows 11 search and type in Registry. Next, open the Registry Editor from the list.
2. On the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
You can copy and paste the path on the Address bar of Registry Editor to jump to the folder directly.
3. Now, right-click on the BagMRU key under the Shell folder and select the Delete option.
4. Next, right-click on the Bags registry key under the Shell folder and select the Delete option.
After deleting the two folders, make sure to restart your PC. This will probably fix the Control Panel problem on Windows 11 computers.
7. Check the Local Group Policy Settings
In this method, we will make a few changes to the Local Group Policy editor to enable the Control Panel on the Windows 11 operating system. Follow some of the simple steps we have shared below.
1. First, click on the Windows 11 search and type in Local Group Policy. Next, click on the Local Group Policy Editor from the list of options.
2. On the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel
3. Now select the Control Panel folder, and on the right pane, double-click on the ‘Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC Settings’ policy.
4. On the Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC Settings window, select Not configured and then on the Apply button. Once done, click on the OK button to close the window.
After making the above changes, restart your Windows 11 PC to fix the Control Panel not opening on Windows 11.
8. Run a Full Virus/Malware Scan
If you often download files from the internet, there is a higher chance that your PC is infected with viruses, malware, or spyware that may prevent you from accessing the Control Panel.
So, run a full PC scan before you proceed to the next methods. The built-in Windows Security app can run the full PC Scan.
1. Click on Windows Search and type in Windows Security. Open the Windows Security app from the list.
2. When the Windows Security app opens, click on Virus & Threat Protection.
3. On the Virus & threat protection, click on the Scan options.
4. Now select Full Scan and click on Scan Now.
That’s it! Wait until Windows 11 scans your PC for hidden viruses/malware.
9. Run SFC and DISM Command
System file corruption is another prominent reason behind the Control Panel not opening on Windows 11. Hence, you must run both SFC and DISM commands on your Windows 11 to fix the Control Panel not opening issue. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Right-click the Windows 11 Start Button and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. On the Windows Terminal, type in sfc /scannow and hit the Enter button on your keyboard.
3. If the SFC commands find any problem, you must run the DISM command. To run the DISM command, you need to re-run the Windows Terminal and execute the three commands we have shared:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This is how you can run the SFC and DISM commands on Windows 11 to fix the Control Panel not opening problem.
10. Reset Windows 11
If you can afford to lose your saved settings, the best option to fix the Control Panel not opening issue is the system reset.
Many users on the Microsoft Forum have claimed to resolve Control Panel not opening Windows 11 issue just by resetting their device to factory state.
So, if nothing has worked for you to fix Control Panel not opening issue, Resetting Windows 11 could be your last resort. Here’s how you can reset Windows 11.
1. On your Windows 11 computer, open the Settings app.
2. Select the Windows Update after the Settings app appears.
3. Select Advanced options on the right.
4. Select Recovery from the Additional choices.
5. Select the Reset PC button from the Recovery choices.
6. Click on Keep My Files in the Select an option Window.
7. Choose Cloud Download on the ensuing display.
When the Ready to Reset this PC screen appears, click the Reset button. Your Windows 11 will return to its factory settings as a result. learn more
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