Use this guide to reopen Computer Management on Windows 11.
Computer Management is an integral administrative tool integrated into the Windows operating system, serving as a centralized control center for overseeing various aspects of your computer. It encompasses essential Windows utilities such as Event Viewer, Task Scheduler, Performance Monitor, and the Device Management tool, among others, rendering it a critical component of the system.
Nonetheless, there may be situations when it faces difficulties, hindering its accessibility and usability. In the following sections, we will delve into a range of solutions to rectify these issues and present alternative methods for accessing the Computer Management tool in case one approach proves ineffective.
1. Initiate a System Scan
One of the most prevalent causes of inability to access Computer Management is the presence of damaged or absent system files. Many Windows applications, including Computer Management, rely on these system files and libraries to function correctly.
When these files become corrupted or go missing, the applications that rely on them may encounter operational issues. Consequently, we recommend commencing the troubleshooting process by examining your system for such problems and taking appropriate measures to rectify them.
Windows offers two tools to aid in this endeavor: SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool). SFC scrutinizes protected system files for anomalies and replaces any compromised files with healthy ones. In contrast, DISM proves valuable in mending a corrupted system image and resolving issues that may be beyond the scope of SFC’s capabilities.
2. Ensure Your Drivers Are Up to Date
2. It’s possible that the issue stems from a corrupt or outdated system driver. To investigate this, you can launch the Device Manager tool and look for any problematic drivers, usually marked with a yellow exclamation point. When you encounter one, you have the option to either update the driver within Windows or perform a driver reinstallation.
Furthermore, we recommend checking for available system updates in the Windows Update section of the Settings app while you’re at it. Installing any pending updates might help resolve the problem, making it easier to access Computer Management.
3. Verify Your Account Permissions
Accessing Computer Management typically necessitates administrative privileges for making adjustments to various system settings and configurations. If you’re not currently signed into Windows with an administrator account, you’re likely to encounter the issue in question.
If this pertains to your situation, we advise switching to an administrator account or modifying your standard user account to an administrator account type. Here’s how to do the latter:
1. Press the Win + I keys together to open the Settings app.
2. Select “Account” from the left pane.
3. Navigate to the right side of the window, scroll down, and click on “Family & other users.”
4. Expand the dropdown for your current account and click the “Change account type” button.
5. Choose “Administrator” from the Account type dropdown and click OK.
With this change, you can confirm your action, and the account type will be updated. Afterward, attempt to access Computer Management again and check if the issue has been resolved.
4. Use System Restore
If you’ve recently installed third-party software or made adjustments to your system settings, these changes could be the root cause of your difficulty in accessing Computer Management.
In such a situation, you have two options to consider. If you suspect that a specific application is responsible for the issue, you can uninstall it through the Control Panel. Simply go to “Programs and Features” and select “Uninstall a program.” Right-click on the program you want to remove and choose “Uninstall” from the context menu.
However, if you can’t pinpoint the specific changes you made and their impact, you can make use of the System Restore feature. This feature periodically generates restore points on your system, typically before significant system modifications. To address the error, you can select a restore point from a time prior to the issue’s occurrence and check if that resolves the problem.
5. Try an Alternative Method to Access Computer Management
There are multiple methods to open Computer Management in Windows, so if one approach proves ineffective, you can experiment with alternative methods. Here are a few straightforward ways to quickly launch the application:
- Task Manager: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously, then go to File > Run new task. Enter “compmgmt.msc” in the dialog box’s text field and click OK.
- Control Panel: In the Control Panel window, set the “View by” option to “Large icons” and select “Administrative Tools” from the displayed list. Click on “Computer Management” to check if it opens.
- Command Prompt: Another method is to launch the Command Prompt (with administrative privileges) by typing “cmd” in a Run dialog and pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously. In the Command Prompt, type “compmgmt.msc” and press Enter.
- Desktop Shortcut: You can also attempt to create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on an empty area on the desktop and choosing “New” > “Shortcut.” Enter “compmgmt.msc” in the window that appears, then click “Next.” Give your new shortcut a name and click “Finish.”
Hopefully, one of these approaches will enable you to access Computer Management with ease.
Enhance System Management with the Computer Management Tool
Computer Management is an essential part of the Windows system, and any issues within this tool can lead to system problems. We hope that the solutions we’ve provided above will assist you in resolving issues preventing you from accessing Computer Management.
If the error persists or reoccurs, it’s advisable to reach out to the official Microsoft support team for assistance. You can do this through the built-in Get Help app in Windows or by posting on a Microsoft community forum.