Certain Links to in Windows Settings No Longer Functional

figarojones · 18 Aug 2017

So, my laptop started doing this really weird thing, and I can't find the solution anywhere. When in Windows Settings, only some of the programs will open when you click the link; ie clicking 'Device Manager', 'Sound Settings', 'Additional Settings' in touchpad, etc. will do nothing. However, approximately 75% of the links still work, and I can manually open everything via run box in the start menu (Device Manager link doesn't work, but running devmgmt.msc does).

Any ideas?

bro67 · 18 Aug 2017

Have you tried using the Control Panel? If nothing works, you might want to do a repair install, which will retain your account and programs installed, but repair issues that it finds.

figarojones · 18 Aug 2017

The links don't work in Control Panel, either (Just tried clicking Device Manager in there, and no dice).

The laptop came without a dvd drive (I do have an external), and no install disc. I'm used to the old system where you actually had to have a disc to do anything (Yeah, I know, I'm ooooollllllddddd :) ). Is there a way to do a repair install through startup, or do I need to make a USB install drive, or just track down a copy of a Win 10 Install disc and use it in my drive?

Brink · 18 Aug 2017

Hello figarojones, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

No need. You could download a Windows 10 ISO file to do a repair install from within Windows 10. The tutorial below can give you all the steps on how to do so if needed.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

bro67 · 19 Aug 2017

Always good to have the installer on a DVD or USB. Especially if you have to use dism to fix. You should be able to just do a repair/in place to fix. Personally I would just do a clean install and after you get everything you want installed, use Clonezilla or one of the other tools for backing up the hard drive to a pocket drive, which are getting really cheap these days.