The error ms-settings:display – This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action may appear when you try to open Personalize or Display Settings on your Windows 10 device. The hint to create an association is highly annoying since this won’t be possible. Or it may return the same error. In addition, you may even not be able to open File Explorer, and you may get an error like “explorer.exe – System Warning – Unknown Hard Error” at startup.
This guide helps you fix the ms settings display error. Not every file association error can be resolved with 1 universal fix. That is why I have listed all the possible solutions below. They are listed in a logical order based on the success rate. If the first solution doesn’t work, you can proceed with the second solution without risk, and so on.
1. Reset Windows Store Cache to fix ms-settings:display
Resetting the cache of Windows Store has a high success rate on fixing your ms-settings:display problem. Follow these steps:
Click Start and start typing WSReset.exe .
Click WSReset.exe and press Enter.
Wait for the black Command Prompt to disappear. A new Windows Store window will open automatically.
Close the Store window and then try to launch the personalization settings again.
2. Install Updates and Restart your Device to fix ms-settings:display
In case you didn’t, there’s a big chance installing Windows Updates fixes your problem. In case you’re not on the latest Semi-annual release, your chances to fix are even bigger when you upgrade to the latest version.
A file, named Windows10Upgrade####.exe, is being downloaded. Run this file and follow the steps in the wizard.
Please note that updating your Windows 10 version could take more than an hour.
After completing the Upgrade, try to launch the personalization settings again.
3. Create a new local user to fix ms-settings:display
This is not the quickest solution. But you will be able to isolate the problem to a specific user account. It could be that the user account you work with has invalid settings or has been corrupted. To make sure this is the case, you need to create a new user account and test if you are able to open the Settings in this user account. The steps below are not very extensive. But should help you on your way:
Open Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
Create a new user account.
In the same window, go to Groups and add the new user to the Administrators group.
Login with the new user account and see if everything is working (like opening Display Settings).
If not, you’ll probably have to roll back or reinstall Windows 10
If that account is working, you have isolated the problem to be in the specific user account. -> continue to the next step
Backup all your files of your original user account
Delete the account that is experiencing the problem. Note: make sure you have backed up all your data!)
Log in with your Microsoft account and restore all your data from step 6.
Try to launch the personalization settings again.
Cause of association error
Most likely Windows Updates are the cause for returning this error. It is not clear which specific update(s) caused the issue, although the ms-setting:display error has been here sinds 2015, and is still occurring in 2020.
The exact error is: This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action. Please install an app or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Apps Settings page.
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ciawash
4 years ago
There was a CPU problem caused this error for me !
There was a CPU problem caused this error for me !
how did you fix it?
problem disappeared using these hints! Thanks.
my taskbar icon is not clicking search bar and windows
my taskbar icon is not working.
*since