Control Panel stopped working

[Coneman]

Hello, I recently did a fresh install of Win7 32bit on two computers (Dell Optiplex 330, 360) in my office. The installation went fine but I noticed that both computers have errors in the control panel.

On one, if I open the control panel from the start menu (CP homepage) it opens for a second, then closes and I get a 'Windows Explorer has stopped working' error -> it asks to look for online solutions and finds nothing. However, this only happens to the main Control Panel page, if I open a section of the Control Panel like the 'Adjust Screen Resolution' via search bar, it opens fine.

On the other, control panel works fine, but when I open the 'Backup and Restore' section, I get a blank menu screen. It has the title 'Backup and Restore' but there are no buttons or options.

Is there a way to re-install control panel? Or other ways to fix this problem, I don't plan on re-formating.

 

[Neutron16]

Most likely Control Panel is crushed by a new menu item which was installed with Dell video or audio drivers.

Turn Hidden files option On and then turn hide SYSTEM files option OFF.
And search for *.CPL files in C:\Windows\

Something outside the list could be Control panel item, causing the problem.
Before deleting anything backup and make sure it is not a default Windows Control panel menu item.

For Backup and Restore try to start this file
C:\Windows\System32\sdclt.exe

 

[Bill2]

Try running a sfc scan couple of times.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[Coneman]

I ran the sfc command several times and it never pulled up any fixes/problems. I found a new .cpl files that are not on the list provided by Neutron16, i'll try to remove those and see if anything happens.

 

[Neutron16]

I ran the sfc command several times and it never pulled up any fixes/problems. I found a new .cpl files that are not on the list provided by Neutron16, i'll try to remove those and see if anything happens.

To be safe, start them first and see what are they.
Or may be take ownership and rename.
And backup, backup, backup!

 

[marsmimar]

Hello Coneman and welcome to Seven Forums.

It might be more advantageous to try a repair install. The control panel errors might be the tip of the iceberg for some additional OS problems.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Also, it might be more than a coincidence that both machines are experiencing control panel errors. Bad install media perhaps?