Windows 7 - Unable to change Power settings

Hi, I have been having some issues changing the power settings on my Dell desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate. When i go into Control Panel and then into Power settings all i get is a little red circle with a x in it. Any ideas?
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Have you tried booting in Safe Mode?

Hi simonjhutton, welcome to 7F

Is the Power Options applet the only Control Panel applet affected like that?

If you have not done so already, run your anti-malware scanners to make sure your system is clean.

Then SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker at least twice.

Have ran SFC Scannow 3 times with a reboot between runs but still no luck with Power Settings. Have ran malware and virus scans and all clear. Really don't want to do a reinstall of Windows, got too many programs that'd need reinstalling

Well, a repair installation (or clean install) will help, but it may affect some programs.

Another option is to try something like REIMAGE, that only restores files that are missing or corrupted.

Please answer:Are you using an Administrator account to access power options?


Lets see if we can get into Power options another way, go to Power Plan - Restore Default Settings Option two.
1.) Copy/paste powercfg.cpl into the Search or run box (preferred) if you have a run box.

2.) R-click on your Desktop l-click on personalization l-click on Screensaver last on the right, at the bottom click on Change Power Settings.

3.) Lets check a registry setting. Copy/paste Regedit.exe into the Search or run box (preferred) if you have a run box.

Once the registry editor is open click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER; Then \Control Panel, Then \don't load
Do you see any values in the right hand pane other than what is shown here?


4.) If none of this works try creating a new User Accounts with Administrative rights, or you could try to change the one you already have: User Account Type - Change
The user account you now have may not have proper rights or is corrupt.

EDIT:
5.) Just thought of Icon Cache - Rebuild, and if that does not help try repairing the Default File Type Associations - Restore



Not just yet, but you may have to consider doing the Repair Install , which is not as destructive as the Clean Install .