Some users have reported an ms-settings:display error pops up when they select Display settings on the desktop context menu in Windows 11.

This problem is usually caused by incorrect file associations

  • Users can’t access display options in Settings when Windows 11 Display settings are not working.

  • Running repair scans in the Command Prompt will often fix the problem.

  • You can also fix Windows 11’s Display settings not opening issue by reregistering apps.

  • Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).

  • Click Start Scan to find Windows 11 issues that could be causing PC problems.

  • Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

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The complete error message reads: This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action.

Why isn’t the Display settings option working?

The exact causes for the Display settings option not working aren’t entirely clear cut. However, the ms-settings:display error can be attributed to the following:

  • Issues with the Settings app – This error can often arise because of a general issue with the Settings app that includes display options. Reregistering built-in Windows 11 apps is a confirmed solution.
  • Malware – Malware on your PC might be causing the error.
  • Corrupted system image or files – You may need to run image or system file repair scans to fix display settings not working.
  • Corrupted user account profile – The Display settings option doesn’t work because your user account is corrupted.

And now that we know what are the reasons behind this error, let’s start fixing it.

How can I fix the Display settings option not working in Windows 11?

1. Run a Deployment Image Repair scan

  • Press Windows button + R to start the Run console and type cmd.
  • Press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key combination for opening apps with admin rights.
  • Input and execute this image repair scan command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Then run an SFC scan by executing this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

If you’re looking for a quicker way to perform this scan, then you should give Restoro software a try. It executes a detailed scan of your PC and tries to repair or replace any injured components of your operating system.

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2. Reregister Windows apps

  • Press Windows key + R to bring up Windows 11’s Run dialogue accessory, and input PowerShell.
  • To open an elevated PowerShell app, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
  • Then input this command and hit Enter: Get-AppXPackage|Foreach{Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
  • Close PowerShell when the command finished reregistering apps.
  • Press the Alt key + F4, and select Restart on the drop-down menu.

By performing this solution, you will reinstall the whole Windows Apps package and the problem should be over.

3. Start a new user account

  • Press the Windows key + R combination to bring up Run’s dialogue box and enter this command in it: control userpasswords2
  • Click OK to open the User Accounts window.
  • Select the Add option.
  • Input an email address in the text box.
  • Click the Sign in without a Microsoft account option and press Next.
  • Select the Local account option.
  • Fill out the required user account fields.
  • Then press the Finish button.
  • Select the added account in the User Accounts window and click the Properties button.
  • Click the Group Membership tab.
  • Select the Administrator radio button.
  • Click Apply and OK to save the account settings.
  • Press Alt + F4 to select Sign out. Then log into the new account to see if the issue remains there.

If that resolution works, migrate your user profile to the new account. Our guide on how to copy a profile includes full instructions for migrating a profile to a different account.

  • Show All Apps by Default in Windows 11 Start Menu [2 Tips]
  • How to Enable or Disable Copy Paste in Application Guard

4. Run a malware (antivirus) scan

  • Open the Windows Security app by double-clicking its shield system tray icon.
  • Click the Virus and threat protection button on the Home tab.
  • Select Scan options to click the Full scan radio button.
  • Press Windows Security’s Scan now button.

ESET Internet Security is also a great third-party alternative to Windows Security for purging malware. It helps you run a thorough scan and eliminate any kind of digital threats, including malware.

Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.Click here to download and start repairing.

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5. Run wsreset.exe

  • Press Start to view Windows 11’s application menu.
  • Type wsreset.exe in the menu’s Search box and click on wsreset.exe from the results.
  • Wait until you see the Microsoft Store automatically open. Then close the Microsoft Store app.

This will reset the Microsoft Store app. However, we have a dedicated article on how to reset and restore Microsoft Store.

6. Roll back Windows 11

  • Press the Windows key + R to start Run, type rstrui, and click OK or press Enter.
  • This will open System Restore. Click Next to continue.
  • Select Show more restore points if that checkbox is available within System Restore.
  • Choose a restoration point that predates the ms-settings:display error on your PC. Selecting the oldest restore point will more likely resolve the ms-settings:display issue.
  • Click Next again to select the Finish option.

System Restore will roll back Windows to the date selected and remove software installed after that point in time.

Clicking Scan for affected programs in System Restore shows you what software a chosen restore point deletes.

If you don’t have any previous iterations of your system, check our guide on how to create a restore point in Windows 11.

7. Perform an In-Place Upgrade

  • Open this Windows 11 download page.
  • Click the Download button for the Windows 11 ISO.
  • Press your keyboard’s Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
  • Navigate to the directory that contains the downloaded ISO file.
  • Double-click the Windows 11 ISO file to open it, then click the setup.exe file to bring up a Windows 11 Setup window.
  • Select the Next option to go through the setup wizard and install the latest Windows 11 build.

Those resolutions have fixed the Display settings option’s ms-settings:display error for many users.

The solutions in this guide are also applicable to Windows 10 if you need to fix the same issue on that platform.

As this problem is mainly caused by wrong app associations, you should also consult our guide on how to remove them in Windows 11.

You’re also welcome to chat about the ms-settings:display error in the comments area below. There you can add questions and even share other resolutions for the ms-settings:display error.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

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