"Windows cannot find" errors inside Control Panel

[Nimb]

Hi, I'm having Windows Cannot find errors when trying to open things inside the Control Panel. See screenshot: http://s7.postimg.org/kqndp5knf/screenshot_6.png

The error message on top is "Allow an app through Windows Firewall". If I simply click "Windows Firewall" nothing happens. If I click "Network and Sharing Center" nothing happens. However, "Sound" for example, works fine.

the second error message is when I try to right click my desktop and "Screen Resolution".

I have already tried dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and sfc /scannow
Neither of them solved it.

 

[Nimb]

Anyone have any ideas what can it be?

 

[gator2013]

Are you running any other anti-virus/malware other than Defender?

Generally, most comprehensive AV/Malware products manage the Firewall and the user does not have much if any access to it.

 

[Nimb]

I'm using BitDefender, but that definetely is the case. I had full access to windows firewall before, and I have also problems accessing other things, such as screen resolution as in the errors.
Network center doesn't open either.

 

[gator2013]

I am not at all familiar with BitDefender but I think it would either manage the Windows Firewall or have it turned it off and use it's own Firewall in it's place. Sounds like you might have 2 Firewall running which would likely cause some conflicts. Check your BitDefender Firewall settings to see what the Firewall options might be, The AV programs I have used totally manage the Windows Firewall as soon as they are activated and the user cannot turn the Windows Firewall on or off.

 

[Nimb]

This isn't related to Bitdefender nor a firewall issue at all. Yes, Bitdefender turns windows firewall off and has it's own. The problem here is not about firewall though ):

I installed BitDefender long before this issue happened, I have been using it for more than one year, and the problem is with parts of the Control Panel that are broken, somehow. Resolution window doesn't open (throws an error, per the screenshot), Network Center doesn't open either. Sound works, but other areas of the Cpnael are totally broken.

 

[gator2013]

When did this start happening? Can you match up the start date with anything like a Windows Update, download, program install, power outage, improper shutdown or anything out of the ordinary?

 

[Cliff S]

Can you get to your firewall through Administrative tools?
You could also try mmc.exe in the run dialog>click file>add/remove snap-in and add firewall and whatever else you need access to.

 

[Nimb]

Can you get to your firewall through Administrative tools?
You could also try mmc.exe in the run dialog>click file>add/remove snap-in and add firewall and whatever else you need access to.
View attachment 58670

Works for firewall, thanks. But other things are still broken, such as screen resolution that throws the error "Application not found error."

When did this start happening? Can you match up the start date with anything like a Windows Update, download, program install, power outage, improper shutdown or anything out of the ordinary?

Started happening after I came home from vacation, I spent around 2 months away without turning the PC on, when I got back, it was like this. It had Several Windows updates, yes. Don't think any new software was installed so far. Now that you mention it a power outtage did occur, but as far as I remember it was after I had these problems, so I am not sure if it is related, but I can't remember for sure if it was before or after, to be honest.

 

[gator2013]

If there is even a remote possibility the system was in any kind of power-on state and there was a power interruption, spike or brown-out it is a possibility that something on the disk was corrupted.

It wouldn't hurt to check the disk for errors.

Disk Management/Highlight C: Drive/Right Click/Select Properties/Select Tools/Select Check Disk For Errors

I have only used Chkdsk commands occasionally and always have to refresh my memory before doing too much but you could also run from an Adm Command Prompt

chkdsk C: /f

Depending on the size of the disk it could take a while and will only run on restart because it will need to lock the disk.

Here you can read more on the chkdsk function

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730714.aspx

Before you run the chkdsk commands this is a quicker way that should accomplish the same result.

Adm Cmd Prompt: chkdsk /scan

Adm Cmd Prompt: chkdsk /spotfix

This Tutorial will explain what you are doing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbAfn4heGhE

 

[Nimb]

If there is even a remote possibility the system was in any kind of power-on state and there was a power interruption, spike or brown-out it is a possibility that something on the disk was corrupted.

It wouldn't hurt to check the disk for errors.

Disk Management/Highlight C: Drive/Right Click/Select Properties/Select Tools/Select Check Disk For Errors

I have only used Chkdsk commands occasionally and always have to refresh my memory before doing too much but you could also run from an Adm Command Prompt

chkdsk C: /f

Depending on the size of the disk it could take a while and will only run on restart because it will need to lock the disk.

Here you can read more on the chkdsk function

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730714.aspx

Before you run the chkdsk commands this is a quicker way that should accomplish the same result.

Adm Cmd Prompt: chkdsk /scan

Adm Cmd Prompt: chkdsk /spotfix

This Tutorial will explain what you are doing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbAfn4heGhE

Alright, I ran the check disk for errors and it resulted no errors (I use a SSD for the OS, if that matters). I then ran chkdsk /scan and it found no errors and said no further actions were needed. After that, I ran chkdsk /spotfix, had to restart the PC so the volume could be unlocked, it found nothing either.

The error when trying to check screen resolution still happens, Network and Sharing Center still doesn't open ):
Both commands were ran in an elevated prompt.

Thanks for helping, you got any other ideas?

 

[gator2013]

That's wild that all those check out OK.

You know there is an answer out there but where, and how long will it take to find it. There just doesn't seem to be any correlation between what's not working except network functions and sharing.

I looked back through the thread and can't see if Restore Point or Refresh was ever mentioned or if that's possible on your end. Obviously if you can't resolve the problem you are going to have to consider one of those options or a reinstall.

 

[Nimb]

Yeah, I have not done the refresh yet. I was considering it but thought it could be something easier first.

Well, guess I'll proceed with that, thanks.