Windows 8 "Change PC Settings" Not working

Anonymous

I recently discovered that many of the Windows 8 apps I have on my new Asus laptop has gone missing such as the store icon. I was trying to locate the store icon because I know it was there when I first started using Windows 8 but I found out its not there any more about 2 days ago. I then tried to open "Change PC Settings" but It did not work. Everytime I click it, nothing will show up.

So I'm very frustrated because I do not know what to do.

I tried to locate the windows store app and its no where.

I tried to click on Change PC Settings so I can do a system refresh and see if I bring it back to the point where I first got the laptop but still nothing.

Please help as soon as possible. I would really like a resolution on how to get it back to normal and hopefully without effecting all the files I have already on the computer.

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Anonymous

Hi Ashley,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community and thank you for giving us a chance to assist you.

It can be very frustrating to not be able to use the computer properly. I see that the Store app is missing and you are unable to access the change PC settings menu.

Please answer these questions so I get a better understanding of the issue.

Do you get any error code or error message on startup?
Have you activated Windows 8?
Have any changes been made to the computer before this issue occured?

You can try these methods to check if the issue gets resolved.

Method 1: Run the app troubleshooter.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/4/F24D0C03-4181-4E5B-A23B-5C3A6B5974E3/apps.diagcab

Open that link to run the troubleshooter.

**Method 2:**Reset Store Cache and check

a. Press "Windows key + R".

b. Type "wsreset.exe" on Run the window and press enter.

**Method 3:**Check if the issue exists in clean boot.

Follow the steps here to troubleshoot the issue. Once you are in clean boot check if the

settings menu works and see if there is something that conflicts with it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: Once troubleshooting is done please follow "Step 3 :Reset the computer to

start as usual" on the article to boot the computer in normal mode.

**Method 4:**Run a System File Checker scan and check if that helps.

Refer to the following steps to run SFC scan.

a)Move the mouse pointer to bottom left of the screen where you see preview of start menu and Right-click to bring up a list of Windows settings.

b)Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated command prompt. Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for permission.

c)In the command prompt type in the following command: ‘sfc /scannow’.

If a Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected. For example, some Windows functions may not work, or Windows may crash. The System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) scans for missing or corrupted system files and repairs them.

Please get back to us if you need further assistance.

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117 additional answers

@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2013-05-05T17:36:43+00:00
Hi Tannelk,

I'd like to suggest some less targeted approaches. There are three types of overall recovery methods in Windows 8:
- System Restore
Safest, fastest, and non-destructive: this will roll back system files and registry settings only, back to a date and time you chose. None of your personal files, documents, or programs will be affected. If the restore does not solve the problem, you can undo the restore or try a restore point from a different date and time.

► To use this method, press +X and choose Run, then run the command rstrui
- PC Refresh
More destructive than Restore: intended to restore the Windows operating system without a complete impact to the user. This will make a backup of your personal files/documents and settings, then erase your computer, reinstall Windows, and re-import your files and settings. Apps from the Windows Store will also be automatically re-installed, but you will need to re-install any programs you downloaded or installed from CD's yourself. This refresh cannot be undone.

► To use this method, press +X and choose Run, then run the command shutdown /r /o

After a short delay, you'll reboot into recovery mode where you can use the Refresh option.
- PC Reset
Most destructive. This will erase your entire hard drive and re-install Windows from factory settings. None of your personal files, documents, settings, or apps will be kept. Your computer will be just like it was when it was shipped from the factory.

► To use this method, press +X and choose Run, then run the command shutdown /r /o

After a short delay, you'll reboot into recovery mode where you can use the Refresh option.

Naturally I would suggest the first option -- System Restore. You can probably go back to before the problem first occurred and be perfectly fine. And since that's the safest option, you have nothing to lose by trying.
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Anonymous

2013-05-05T11:26:56+00:00

Hi,

I've had the same problem, run all the steps above and still nothing.

In summary I haven't done any updates in the last couple of days, suddenly all my apps disappeared and I got a purple background in place of the start menu screen.

When I opened my mail client (Thunderbird) my accounts had disappeared and when I opened my web browser my home page had reset (favourites were still there). I managed to reconfigure my mail account and both these programs are now working fine via the desktop.

It is as though all apps have disappeared though, there is no app screen and when I search from the menu that appears from the right it never finds any results under apps.

Furthermore when I choose settings, the "change pc settings" button does nothing.

The SFC scan picked up nothing wrong, step 2 just hung on an empty black dialog box and rebooting via step 3 had the same purple screen and no apps.

Any further ideas?
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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2013-05-01T11:41:14+00:00

Nope, it is safe. A clean boot just temporarily disables all non-essential programs from running, and only starts up Windows using failsafe drivers. This gives you a way to test, or even be able to take corrective steps. When you're done, you can do full boot just by restarting.
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Anonymous

2013-05-01T05:56:45+00:00

I want to ask if all my files will not be deleted if I use method 3???

Thanks.
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