Why can't I open Windows 10 settings menu?

[Windows Central Question]

When I had 8.1 I could open up my settings easy. Now that I've upgraded to 10 the menu just doesn't open. Why can't I open settings?

 

[Zachary Boddy]

Restart your computer. Then, as soon as you sign in and the computer sorts itself out (give it a minute or two) attempt to open Settings through the Start Menu. Wait thirty seconds. If nothing happens, attempt to open it through the Action Center. Wait thirty seconds. If nothing happens, go to All Apps, attempt to open Settings. Wait thirty seconds. If nothing happens, press the keys [Win] + on your keyboard. Wait thirty seconds.
All I'm trying to do is find a way for you to open the Settings. Than we can figure out why your first tries didn't work.

 

[spamless]

I had the same problem. None of the suggestions worked. I also couldn't open Windows Update, except for viewing already-installed updates. Windows 10 Pro-64, upgraded from Win 8.1 Pro-64.

Microsoft has the answer! I found it on another board (tenforums-dot-com). But I'm new here, and the system would not let me post the link to the fix (or to anything). Well, gee. The quick-fix worked for me in seconds. I was about to reset Windows, too.

 

[colsearle]

I just had the same experience with a Lenovo Idealpad Z575. I opened Lenovo Onekey Theatre from the system tray and first changed it to normal mode before uninstalling it.

It was the culprit in my case, Messing with the graphics in some way. I tried the Microsoft fix without success.

Defo graphics related check if you have any graphics / movie mode style programs running