[Fix] Some Pages or Sections are Missing in Windows 10 Settings

Today in this tutorial, we are going to address a strange issue present in Windows 10 operating system. We know that Microsoft has moved almost all traditional control panel options to the new Settings app in Windows 10 which can be accessed from Start Menu or using WIN+I hotkey.

Sometimes you may find that some main sections or individual pages/tabs are missing in Windows 10 Settings app. For example following screenshot shows a few sections (Personalization, Privacy, Update & Security) unavailable in Settings main page:

Main_Sections_Missing_Windows_10_Settings.png

Advertisement

Following screenshots shows a few pages/tabs (Background, Themes, Start) missing in Settings -> Personalization section:

Pages_Missing_Windows_10_Settings.png

It happens due to a new feature introduced with Windows 10 Creators Update. Microsoft has provided a new feature to hide/restrict desired pages in Settings app. So if you don’t want other people accessing any particular page in Settings app, you can remove that page from Settings app.

[Tip] Hide/Remove Pages or Sections from Windows 10 Settings

Sometimes some software or some people or your system administrator might use this feature to remove/hide a few pages from Settings app in your computer and you may start wondering why is that Settings page missing suddenly?

Recently an AskVG reader “Denise” contacted us regarding similar problem. Here is his comment posted in our Help & Support topic:

Windows 10 – I’m missing the actual “Themes” option in the Personalize settings. I believe our image build has disabled Themes. Do you know of a way to re-enabling the Themes option? Maybe just a registry setting that I cannot find? It’s annoying to not have Themes and do even a simple “Change Desktop Icons”. Your help would be much appreciated!

Advertisement

If you are also facing this problem and want to enable all missing/hidden pages in Settings app, this tutorial will help you.

You just need to follow these simple steps to fix this issue and show all available pages in Windows 10 Settings app:

1. Press “WIN+R” key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. In right-side pane, look for SettingsPageVisibility string. This string value would be set to either hide:page_names or showonly:page_names.

Enable_Missing_Pages_Windows_10_Settings.png

To fix the issue, select theĀ SettingsPageVisibility string and press Delete key. You can also right-click on the string and select Delete option.

That’s it. Once you delete the string, open Settings app and you’ll have all the missing pages and sections back.

PS: If the Settings app was already open, close it and then re-open it to take effects.

Also Check:

[Tip] Enable Hidden Secret “Samples” Page in Windows 10 Settings

[Windows 10 Tip] Remove “Windows Insider Program” Section from Settings Page

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. I don`t have the SettingsPageVisibility string there. but still, many features are hidden

  2. I don`t have the SettingsPageVisibility string there. but still, many features are hidden

  3. I too don’t have the settingspagevisibility string too, how do I fix that? I want to enable sideloading and the settings pages for that don’t open.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.