If you’re running Windows 11, you may know that Microsoft has made it tough for users to access the Control Panel. Control Panel is included in Windows 11, although it must be reached using Windows Search. Although accessing the Control Panel in Windows 11 is simple, many users need help opening it on their PC. In case you didn’t know, the Control Panel is a hub that contains several tools to access or alter different operating system settings.
For example, the Control Panel allows you to access User Account Settings, Network & Sharing choices, BitLocker encryption, Accessibility preferences, and more. Recently, several users have complained that after installing the Windows 11 update, the Control Panel is not opening. So, if you’re having similar problems with your Windows 11 computer, you’ve come to the proper guide.
How To Fix Control Panel Not Opening In Windows 11? 10 Ways
This post will share some of the best Control Panel opening methods for Windows 11 PCs. We’ve shared the fundamental methods for handling all Control Panel-related issues on your PC. So, let’s check out how to cure Control Panel not opening on Windows 11.
Restart PC
When you restart your computer, all running processes and apps are terminated. So, if a process blocks the Control Panel from opening, it will be fixed. Restart your computer if you last did so a while ago. Nevertheless, before restarting your PC, save all your tasks since any unsaved tasks will be lost during the restart.
Update Windows 11
Many Windows 11 users have claimed that updating their operating system resolved the Control Panel not opening problem. The version of Windows 11 you’re running has a bug or malfunction preventing the Control Panel from opening. As a result, updating your Windows 11 PC is highly suggested. Here is how to update Windows 11.
- Click the Windows 11 Start button and then select Settings.
- Switch to the Windows Update tab when the Settings app opens.
- On the right, click the Check for Updates button.
- Click the “Download & Install” button if an update is available.
That is it! This is how you update Windows 11 to resolve the Control Panel not opening problem.
Open The Control Panel Using The Run Command
You may use the run command if you can’t open the Control Panel from the Windows Search. Here’s how to open Control Panel in Windows 11 using the Run command.
- On the keyboard, press the Windows Key + R button.
- This will open the Run dialog box. Enter appwiz.cpl and click Enter.
That is it! This will open the Control Panel on your Windows 11 computer. You may now uninstall apps.
Uninstall The Newly Installed App
Well, if the Control Panel is not opening after installing a new app on the system, uninstall it as soon as possible. Some apps may interfere with the Control Panel’s functionality, preventing it from running. Go through the App Settings and manually evaluate the apps if you need help remembering which apps you’ve installed on your system lately. Remove any suspicious apps that you believe are related to the Control Panel.
Check The Important Windows Services
On Windows 11, the Windows Error Reporting service may occasionally prevent the Control Panel from opening. Aside from the Windows Error Reporting service, the sppsvc service is often responsible for the Control Panel not opening in Windows 11. Here are some things you should check.
- To begin, click the Windows 11 Search button and type Services. Then, from the list, click the Services app.
- Find the Windows Error Reporting service in the Services list and double-click it.
- Click the Stop and OK buttons on the Windows Error Reporting Service Properties page.
- Next, find and double-click the Software Protection service.
- In the Software Protection Properties, click the Start and OK buttons under the Service Status.
That is it! You are finished. After making the above changes, restart the Windows 11 PC to resolve the Control Panel not opening issue.
Delete The BagMRU & Bags Registry Key
Well, if the Control Panel is still not opening after using the above methods, you must update the Windows Registry. Please save a restoration point or export the registry file so that you can easily restore it if anything goes wrong.
- Click the Windows 11 search button and type Registry. The Registry Editor may then be opened from the list.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
Copy and/or paste the path into the Registry Editor’s Address bar to get straight to the folder.
- Now, right-click the BagMRU key in the Shell folder and select Delete.
- Next, right-click the Bags registry entry in the Shell folder and select Delete.
Make careful to restart your computer after removing the two directories. This will resolve the Control Panel issue on Windows 11 computers.
Check The Local Group Policy Settings
We will adjust the Local Group Policy editor using this method to activate the Control Panel on the Windows 11 operating system. Follow some of the straightforward actions we’ve shared here.
- Click the Windows 11 search button and type in Local Group Policy. Then, from the list of choices, click Local Group Policy Editor.
- Navigate to the path using the Local Group Policy Editor.
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel
- Select the Control Panel folder, then click the ‘Prohibit access to Control Panel and/or PC Settings’ policy in the right pane.
- Select Not Configured and click the Apply button on the Prohibit Access to Control Panel and/or PC Settings box. Once finished, click the OK button to end the window.
That is it! You are finished. After making the above changes, restart the Windows 11 PC to resolve the Control Panel not opening issue.
Run Full Virus/Malware Scan
Suppose you often download files from the internet. In that case, there is a greater likelihood that your computer is infected with malware, viruses, or spyware, which may prevent you from accessing the Control Panel. So, run a comprehensive PC scan before moving on to the following methods. The complete PC Scan may be run using the built-in Windows Security app.
- Click Windows Search and type Windows Security. Select the Windows Security app from the list.
- Click Virus & Threat Protection after the Windows Security app opens.
- Click on the Scan options under Virus & Threat Protection.
- Now, select Full Scan and click Scan Now.
That is it! Wait until Windows 11 analyzes your computer for hidden viruses and spyware.
Run SFC & DISM Command
System file damage is another major reason the Control Panel is not opening in Windows 11. To resolve the Control Panel not opening problem in Windows 11, you must run both the SFC and DISM commands. Here’s what you should do.
- Right-click the Windows 11 Start button and pick Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Type sfc /scannow in the Windows Terminal, then press Enter.
- If the SFC commands find an issue, you must run the DISM command. To run the DISM command, re-launch the Windows Terminal and execute the three instructions we’ve shared.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
That is it! You are finished. This is how to run the SFC and DISM commands on Windows 11 to resolve the Control Panel not opening issue.
Reset Windows 11
If you can afford to lose your stored settings, a system reset is the best way to resolve the Control Panel not opening problem. Many Microsoft Forum users claimed that resetting their device to factory settings resolved the Control Panel not opening Windows 11 problem. If nothing else works to repair the Control Panel not opening problem, resetting Windows 11 may be your final chance. How to Reset Windows 11 is described below.
- Launch the Settings app on the Windows 11 PC.
- Switch to the Windows Update when the Settings app opens.
- On the right side, click Advanced Settings.
- Click Recovery under Other Options.
- Click the Reset PC button on the Recovery Options window.
- On the Choose an option window, pick Keep My Files.
- On the next page, select Cloud Download.
Finally, click the Reset button under the Ready to Reset this PC page. The factory settings of your Windows 11 will be reset.
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Conclusion:
You may repair the Control Panel not opening on Windows 11 issue using the methods we shared in this guide. You must publish a question on the Microsoft Support forum if the issue is not fixed. Otherwise, you must seek methods to reset or reinstall Windows 11 on your PC. This post was helpful! Please share it with your friends as well. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
