How to reset Settings app on Windows 11

If the Settings app isn't working, here are three ways to reset it on Windows 11.

Windows 11 reset Settings app
Windows 11 reset Settings app

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

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.

    Windows 11 Settings app settings

  3. Click the Reset button.

    Reset Settings app

  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

    PowerShell reset Settings app

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"}

    PowerShell re-register all apps

  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.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].