The error message personalized settings not responding is not new to Windows 10 users. The error message appears when you install an update and restart your PC. This error stops you from clicking on any desktop icons on your computer. You will see a black screen and a window that states the error.

This error could be a result of several reasons. But whatever the reason is, you can fix it. In this article, I am going to help you tackle this problem. 

What Causes This Personalized Settings Not Responding Issue

Many reasons can cause this error, and they include: 

A corrupted system file
Failed Windows update
Faulty driver, etc.

Nonetheless, whatever the case may be, when you discover this problem, you should fix it immediately with the steps I detailed in the next section.

How to Fix ‘Personalized Settings not responding’ issue

There are several ways to fix this error. All you need to do is perform the simple operations below.

Solution 1: Restarting File Explorer

Restarting file explorer is the right solution when your Windows Explorer is stuck in the background and can’t be opened. However, fixing your file explorer manually may fix this issue immediately. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously and click Task Manager from there. 
Step 2: Go to Windows Explorer in the Processes tab and right-click on it.
Step 3: Select Restart. Now, you will see your regular desktop and Taskbar.

Solution 2: Open File Explorer using Task Manager

If the solution above failed for you, try opening explorer using task manager. Follow the steps below to perform this operation.

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously and click Task Manager from the list. 
Step 2: Click on the File option and select Run new task.
Step 3: Type explorer.exe in the field and hit the Enter button. Now you should find the File Explorer on your screen. 
Step 4: Check if you fixed the problem.

Solution 3: Deleting a Registry key

You should delete the {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4340} key from the Registry Editor. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Create a registry file backup and open the registry editor.
Step 2: Open the Task Manager on your computer by following the same steps as mentioned earlier.
Step 3: Click File > Run new task option. Type Regedit, check to Create this task with administrator privileges, and click on the OK button. 
Step 4: Go to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
Step 5: In the Installed Components folder, you will see a key called {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4340}. Delete it.

Solution 4: Use System Restore point

It is effortless to use System Restore point. You can do it with a Windows DVD or bootable USB drive. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Restart your PC.
Step 2: Scan to check for file corruption. If an update has corrupted a file during installation, you can fix it using this method.
Step 3: Disconnect all the external devices like external hard drive, USB drive, etc.

Solution 6: Updating your graphics drivers

Your graphics drivers may be outdated. You can update your graphics drivers manually or automatically. Just follow the steps below;

If you’re using an NVIDIA graphics card, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press Win+R simultaneously to invoke the Run box
Step 2: Enter msconfig, click OK to open System Configurations.
Step 3: Click the Boot tab and check Safe boot. Click OK
Step 4: Click Restart and boot into Safe Mode. 
Step 5: Click This PC > Local Disk C. You will see the NVIDIA folder. Delete the folder
Step 6: Open the Run dialogue by clicking  Start and then Run
Step 7: Enter “devmgmt.msc” in the run box. Click the OK button. The Device Manager window will open
Step 8: Open the “Display Adapters” field and right-click on the Nvidia adapter you wish to uninstall. Then select “Uninstall.” 
Step 9: Click “OK” to remove the adapter from the list and uninstall the driver
Step 10: Press Win+R  simultaneously to invoke the Run box
Step 11: Open Systems configuration by entering msconfig 
Step 12: Click the Boot tab, uncheck Safe boot and click OK.
Step 13: Click Restart.
Step 14: Download the latest NVIDIA driver
Step 15: Install the NVIDIA driver. Open the Custom installation option and tick all the boxes including the “perform clean install” box
Step 16: Restart your PC

If you’re using an AMD graphics card, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Download the AMD Cleanup Utility
Step 2: Click on the downloaded file and double-click “AMDCleanupUtility.exe.’
Step 3: Reboot the system and run the utility in safe mode.
Step 4: A dialog box will pop up stating that AMD Cleanup Utility will delete all AMD driver and application components. Click OK
Step 5: Once the process is complete, click Finish.
Step 6: Now reboot your PC

Now you need to install the latest driver update. To do this, just follow these steps;

Step 1: Visit the AMD Driver Support Page. Go to the section, Auto-Detect and Install Radeon Graphics Drivers for Windows.
Step 2: Click  DOWNLOAD NOW 
Step 3: Run the downloaded file 
Step 4: Click Install 
Step 5: The tool will launch automatically. Click Accept and Install to proceed.
Step 6: The tool will detect the installed AMD graphics product and system configuration and display Recommended and Optional driver packages that are compatible with your graphics product
Step 7: Select the version you want and click Express installation.
Step 8: Once this process is done, restart your computer

If you have an integrated graphics (Intel)

Step 1: Press Win + R to launch a Run
Step 2: Enter devmgmt.msc into the Run dialogue and hit Enter. The Device Manager will open.
Step 3: Expand the Display adapters and right-click on your graphics drivers.
Step 4: Click Uninstall 
Step 5: Now restart your PC. Once your PC is on, it will automatically reinstall the graphics drivers.
Step 6: Check if you have fixed the issue.

Conclusion

Windows 10 users sometimes experience a black screen accompanied by the error message ‘personalized settings not responding.’ Sometimes this error takes time to be resolved, but you can solve it. In this article, I have listed the solutions needed to overcome them. Now it’s your turn to perform these solutions and fix this problem.

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