Unable to opening settings in Windows 11 Home Edition.

Bill Heston 0 Reputation points
2026-11-08T21:39:21.5333333+00:00

Yesterday my custom built Windows 11 desktop worked perfectly. Was using it along with my custom built Windows 10 for some months, with the Window 10 as primary as I liked the Windows interface better.. Yesterday, I went into the Settings and changed the pointer size (larger). Today I decided to reduce the pointer size. The settings windows will not display. When I right chick on the taskbar pinned setting the small windows shows with all the choices but the settings will not open. Only change from yesterday to today is I disconnected the two cables from the monitor new desktop to check if old desktop was OK. Then reconnected monitor back to new desktop. Appeared all was well, read emails and opened several other apps. But then issue appears with Settinfg. Rebooted several times, no effect. Yesterday when I shut down a message said do not turn of computer due to new updates. Folllowed resolution suggestions provided by Google. No avail. Hope you can help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Vikki-T 13,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-09T06:12:21.8033333+00:00

    Hi Bill Heston,

    It sounds like the Settings app may either be running without displaying its window or failing to launch after the recent update.

    Before trying another repair, could you please check these two points?

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then look for Settings or SystemSettings.exe under Processes. If it appears, select it, choose End task, and then try opening Settings again.
    • Press Windows key + R, enter ms-settings:, and press Enter. Please let me know whether nothing happens or whether a specific error message appears.

    Since the issue started around the time Windows installed an update, another option not covered above is to use System Restore, if a restore point from before the problem is available. Press Windows key + R, enter rstrui.exe, and press Enter. Select a restore point created before Settings stopped opening, then follow the prompts. System Restore rolls back recent system changes without deleting personal files, although recently installed apps, drivers, or updates may be affected.

    You can review Microsoft’s official instructions here: Use System Restore in Windows.

    Please let me know what happens when you run ms-settings: and whether SystemSettings.exe appears in Task Manager. Thank you so much for your understanding.     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-11-08T21:40:06.76+00:00

    The Settings window may be opening outside the visible screen after the monitor was disconnected, so first bring it back with the keyboard rather than restarting again.

    Bring the Settings window onto the screen

    1. Open Settings from its pinned taskbar icon.
    2. Press Alt+Tab repeatedly until Settings is selected.
    3. Press Alt+Space, then press M.
    4. Press any arrow key once.
    5. Move the mouse, or continue pressing the arrow keys, until the Settings window appears.
    6. Press Enter to place it.

    If that does not work, select Settings with Alt+Tab, then try:

    • Windows key+Shift+Left Arrow
    • Windows key+Shift+Right Arrow
    • Windows key+Up Arrow to maximize it

    These shortcuts move or maximize a window that Windows may still associate with a previously connected display.^1^

    If Settings reappears, open System > Display > Multiple displays and enable:

    • Remember window locations based on monitor connection
    • Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected

    Those options control how Windows handles application windows when monitors are removed.^2^

    If Settings is not merely off-screen

    Since restarting several times did not help, repair the Windows component store and protected system files:

    1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
    2. Select Run new task. If the menu bar is shown, use File > Run new task.
    3. Enter cmd.
    4. Select Create this task with administrative privileges, then select OK.
    5. Run these commands in order:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

    Keep the computer connected to the internet while DISM runs. Wait for SFC to reach 100%, then restart once and test Settings. Microsoft specifies running DISM before SFC because DISM supplies the files used to repair damaged Windows components.^3^

    If the problem began immediately after yesterday’s update

    Only use this branch if the window-recovery and repair steps above fail. Removing a security update temporarily removes its fixes.

    1. At the Windows sign-in screen, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart.
    2. In Windows Recovery Environment, select: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
    3. Select Uninstall latest quality update.
    4. Restart normally and test Settings.

    Windows supports removing a recent update through Windows Recovery Environment when Settings cannot be accessed; some updates cannot be removed.^4^

    If prompted, provide the device-encryption or BitLocker recovery key. Windows Recovery Environment includes Uninstall Updates, System Restore, and other repair tools.^5^

    Last non-destructive repair

    If Settings still will not open, perform an in-place repair installation. Back up important files first, although the keep option is designed to preserve them.

    1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
    2. In File Explorer, double-click the downloaded ISO.
    3. Run setup.exe from the mounted drive.
    4. Select Change what to keep.
    5. Choose Keep personal files and apps.
    6. Confirm that the Ready to install page still says it will keep personal files and apps, then select Install.

    Run Setup from inside the existing Windows session—do not boot from the media, because booting it for a clean installation can erase files and applications. An in-place installation with Keep personal files and apps preserves personal data, applications, and Windows settings.^6^

    References

    1. Programs open on "second screen" when second screen is completely disconnected from PC on Windows 11. - Microsoft Q&A
    2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/backup-recovery/windows-backup-settings-catalog#windows-backup-settings-and-preferences-catalog)
    3. Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
    4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/how-to-uninstall-a-windows-update#summary)
    5. Windows recovery environment | Microsoft Support
    6. Reinstall Windows with the installation media | Microsoft Support
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.