How to reset Settings app on Windows 11

On Windows 11, it’s possible to reset the Settings app when it is showing signs of problems, such as when it stops opening or keeps crashing.

The Settings app is the modern interface that replaces the Control Panel and allows you to customize virtually any aspect of the operating system, including controlling features, changing the look and feel of the desktop, and changing system settings. However, as with any other application, it may come a time when it will not work as expected.

Although Windows 11 doesn’t include an option to uninstall the Settings app, you can use the different ways to reset the app to its factory defaults to fix most common problems using the Settings app itself and PowerShell commands.

This guide will teach you the steps to reset the Settings app when not working on Windows 11.

• Reset Settings app on Windows 11
• Reset Settings app from PowerShell
• Reset Settings app by re-registering inbox apps

Reset Settings app on Windows 11

To reset the Settings app on Windows 11, close the app and use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Settings, right-click the top result, and select the App settings option.

   

3. Click the Reset button.

   

4. Click the Reset button again.

Once you complete the steps, the app data will be deleted, and the app will be reinstalled with the factory default settings.

Reset Settings app from PowerShell

To reset the Settings app, close the app and use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to reset the Settings app to defaults and press Enter:

   Get-AppxPackage *Windows.ImmersiveControlPanel* | Reset-AppxPackage

   

After you complete the steps, the app will reinstall, resetting it to its default settings on Windows 11.

Reset Settings app by re-registering inbox apps

To re-register all the built-in apps, including the Settings app, close all the apps, and use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to reset all the apps, including the Settings app, and press Enter:

   Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

   

4. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, all the built-in apps, including Settings, will be reinstalled, fixing any problem. 

Since this last command will reinstall all the built-in apps, it’s a good idea only to use it as a last resort.