Windows 10: Orphaned duplicate icons in Control Panel, random apps hang

Friends, I have orphaned icons in my Windows 10 Control Panel (see Below). Additionally, I have some apps like "camera" "HP smart""MS News""photos" are greyed out as they do when updating. I cannot uninstall them or reinstall a new copy over them. On top of this, I have several MS Office Apps (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint) that radically hang, even when using different files. I have followed all the online help suggestions from MS to scan files, repair apps, etc. I have run several hardware apps before booting Windows to check my BIOS, processor, ram, SSDs, etc and all say the hardware is fine. I have restored from earlier restore points, and a complete restore from offline backups. It seems both must contain the "error" because nothing changes after these actions.


So, if Windows, MS Office, and hardware is all "good" then what do I check next?


Thanks in advance for your insight. Most Respectfully,

Leo


OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version 10.0.17134 Build 17134

:)

 

windows 10 control panel

Hello,

Thank you for visiting Microsoft Community and providing us with the detailed description about the issue.

As per the description, I understand that you want to know how to access the control panel in Windows 10?

I certainly understand your concern and will try my best to help you.

I would suggest you to try the following steps to open the Control Panel in the system.

Step 1: Opening Control Panel in Windows 10.

• 
  Open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows and R keys (Windows + R).
  
• 
  In the Run dialog box, type
  Control and then press Enter key to open the classic Control Panel.
  

Step 2: Access Control Panel in Windows 10 from desktop.

• 
  Right-click on the Start button (Windows logo button at the bottom-left corner of the desktop) and then click Control Panel to open the same.
  

Step 3: Launch Control Panel using search.

• 
  Open Start menu or screen.
  
• 
  In the search box, enter Control Panel and then press Enter key to open the same.
  

Note: You can quickly access the search with the help of Windows + C hotkey.

Step 4: Create Control Panel shortcut on desktop.

• Right-click on desktop, click New, and then click Shortcut.
• In Type the location of the item box, type the following path.

explorer shell:ControlPanelFolder

• Click Next button.
• In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Control Panel, and click Finish button. You can now double-click on the Control Panel icon on the desktop to quickly launch the same.

Step 5: Pin Control Panel to Start or taskbar.

• 
  In the Start search box, type Control Panel.
  
• 
  When you see search results, right-click on Control Panel entry and then click Pin to Start to pin it to the Start menu or screen.
  

Note: Clicking Pin to taskbar will pin the Control Panel to taskbar.

I hope this information is helpful.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance, we will be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

windows 10 control panel

Step 2 does not work at all. Anything from File Explorer and above does not launch at all.

 

windows 10 control panel

Great help.......thanks.....I wonder why Microsoft did not installed it automatically....