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If the Control Panel Not Opening on Windows this post will help you figure out what’s wrong and fix it. It’s possible that your computer has malware, that the.cpl file is damaged or corrupted, or that the.cpl file association has been broken.
But sometimes Settings stops working. For example, Windows 10 or Windows 11 might not be able to open Settings, or the Settings menu might freeze or hang after being opened. Many users say that their Windows 11 or Windows 10 settings don’t work. This is always caused by corrupted system files, corrupted user account files, a bug in an update, etc.
So, this problem means that you might not be able to use Windows Update or do some things related to Settings if Windows 10 or 11 can’t get to Settings. That’s awful! But don’t worry, we’ll show you some easy ways to solve this problem. Just pick the one that works best for you.
Control Panel Not Opening on Windows: best 8 ways to fix it

Run a Quick Virus Scan
Malware or files in your system that aren’t working right could stop your Control Panel from opening. You can scan your system for malware with an antivirus programme or with a tool that comes with Windows.
To run a quick scan with Windows Defender, do the following:
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Updates and Security and click on Windows Security.
- Select Windows Security to open it.
- Click Virus and threat protection > Quick scan.
Access the Policy Editor
If none of the above solutions worked to fix Control Panel, you should try Local Group Policy Editor.
- By pressing Win+R, you can open the Run dialogue.
- Press Enter after typing gpedit.msc.
- Go to User Settings > Administrative Templates.
- Click Control Panel there twice.
- Open “Do not allow access to Control Panel and PC settings” from the list on the right.
- Choose “Not Set Up.”
- To save your new changes, click Apply > OK.
Check if the Software Protection service is running
- Hit the Windows key plus R.
- Type this code into the box, and then click “OK.”
- Look for the “Software Protection” service in the Services window.
- To use it, you have to double-click it.
- After that, click “Start” to get the service going.
- Click “Apply” and “OK” to finish.
Clean boot your device
- You have to look for something called “System Configuration.”
- Then you have to click on “System Configuration.”
- When the window for System Configuration opens, go to “General.”
- After that, simply choose “Selective startup.”
- After that, you have to check the box next to “Load system services.
- When the window for System Configuration opens, go to “General.”
- After that, simply choose “Selective startup.”
- After that, you have to check the box next to “Load system services.
- Just click “Apply” and then “OK.”
Disable Windows Error Reporting Service
- Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
- Type msconfig into the empty box and click OK to open System Configuration.
- Click the “Services” tab. Find the Windows Error Reporting Service and uncheck it. Then click the Apply button and the OK button.
Change Display Scaling
If the display is bigger than 100%, your Control Panel might not work. So, if your display is bigger than 100%, you should scale it down to the right size. Just go to System -> Display in Windows Settings. Choose 100% (Recommended) from the drop-down menu in the Scale and layout section to change the size of text, apps, and other things.
Clear Windows Temp Files Folder
Windows keeps temporary files so that your apps and software can run faster. Most programmes delete temporary files every time you close them, but a hundred others don’t. If you don’t clear them out by hand, they can slow down your system’s performance over time. So, getting rid of these temporary files might make your control panel work again.
- To open the Run command, press Win + R.
- Enter “%temp%” and press OK.
- Remove all files from the temporary folder.
Uninstall IDT Audio Panel
Some users were having trouble because of the IDT audio panel, and uninstalling the IDT audio panel fixed the problem for them. Follow the steps below to find the IDT audio panel and get rid of it.
- Hold the Windows key and press R. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
- This will take you to the page in your Control Panel where you can uninstall or change programmes.
- Find and select the IDT audio panel.
- Choose Uninstall and then do what it says on the screen.
you can visit Microsoft support center for further help.
FAQ
Why is my Windows menu not opening
Windows Explorer problems can sometimes cause the Start Menu Button to stop working. Most problems with the Start Menu and Taskbar can be fixed by restarting Explorer. To restart Explorer: To open Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
How do I force open control panel
Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen to bring up the Start Menu. Type “control panel” in the search box and choose “Control Panel” from the list of results. The second way is to use the Quick Access Menu to get to Control Panel. You can open the Quick Access Menu by pressing Windows+X or right-clicking the lower-left corner. In the menu, choose Control Panel.
What key opens Control Panel
Hit the Windows key + R, type “control,” and then hit the Enter key. Voila, the Control Panel is back. To make it easier to get to, right-click on it and then click “Pin to Taskbar.” You can also get to the Control Panel through File Explorer.
How do I open Control Panel without Windows button
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search (or, if you’re using a mouse, point to the top right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search), type Control Panel in the search box, and then tap or click Control Panel.
How do I access Control Panel when it is blocked by administrator
- Open User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Control Panel.
- Set the option “Prohibit Access to the Control Panel” to “Not configured” or “Enabled.”
- Select OK.
What is the command to open Control Panel in Windows 10
You can open Windows Run by pressing the Windows and R keys on your keyboard. In Windows 10, type cmd and click OK to open the Command Prompt. Then type control panel in the Command Prompt window and hit the Enter key to open Control Panel with command prompt (cmd)