[Win10] Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

[Yrnoti]

Hi,
I've been having this problem with my Windows 10 Pro dual-boot (need another OS for work purposes) computer that started small and has now gotten huge.
First thing I noticed was that I couldn't hibernate. Everytime I tried, the screen only locked.
Then I tried System Settings. All it does is pop up for a nanosecond, then poof, it's gone.
I thought maybe I ran into a persistent bug, so I try Windows Update. Searched for Windows Update in the Start Menu and clicked on it. It acted just like System Settings above.
So I thought of refreshing the OS. Apparently, that uses System Settings too.
I decided to download a new ISO from the Media Creation Tool, run setup, and save my files and settings. When I got to that screen, those options were grey-ed out and all that was available was to do a full wipe. At the bottom was a message that said something like "You can't keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps because your current version might be installed in an unsupported directory."

At my wit's end, I tried to run:

 DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

That failed with the message:

 Error: 1726

The remote procedure call failed.

I've attached the dism.log and cbs.log files that were generated from the command.

I'm out of options here. Suggestions?

 

[xilolee]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

Hi Yrnoti. :wave:

If you are not using windows firewall and defender, my suggestion is to uninstall third parties antivirus/firewall/antimalware/antispyware/etc, enable windows firewall and defender, and re-try the dism-restore command.
Some antiviruses could need their special removal tool made on purpose by their manufacturers/developers.

 

[Yrnoti]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

I disabled AVG and ran it again. Same remote procedure call error. Here's the logs. Would it be relevant to mention that I'm behind a uni firewall that blocks stuff like games and etc?

 

[xilolee]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

Yup, that's why DISM fails: it probably isn't able to download the files from MS servers.
I'm moving this topic (from windows 10 sub-forum) to windows update sub-forum.
Maybe the windows update experts could be able to bypass this problem.
If you won't receive an answer within (at least) 48 hours, you can post a reminder in this topic: Not Received Help? (click).

 

[zcomputerwiz]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

Hello there Yrnoti,

Let's try configuring the system for a clean boot.

Clean Boot

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.
2. Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.
   
   
3. On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all.
   
   
4. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager
   
   
5. On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click Disable.
   
   
6. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK, and then restart the computer.
   
   
   
   
   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

Once complete, try running DISM again, then zip and attach C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
If the zip is larger than 8MB, please use a file sharing service such as OneDrive, DropBox, SendSpace, etc. and include the link with your reply.

 

[Yrnoti]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

I have some relatively important startup tasks in task manager that I'm unsure if I should disable as well, such as:
*AMD Dual-Core Optimizer
*AVG UI (Re)starter
*AMD Catalyst (drivers)
*Realtek HD Audio Manager
*Windows host process (Rundll32)

Should I disable all of them?

 

[zcomputerwiz]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

Yes, those should be safe to disable :)

 

[Yrnoti]

Re: Cannot open System Settings, Windows Update, or Refresh Windows

I disabled them all and restarted. Unfortunately, the login form won't appear anymore. Not my user avatar, username, password field, or even the list of users on the bottom left. Only things showing are the buttons on the bottom right and my login screen background. I've restarted my computer 3 times, but the issue persists.