[Fun Tip] Reset Windows 10 Settings App Using Settings App Itself

Here is a fun tip for you if you are using Windows 10 operating system. This trick will help you in resetting the main Settings app in Windows 10 to default factory settings.

We all know that Windows 10 comes with a built-in immersive Settings app which has been developed to replace the classic Control Panel program. Windows 10 Settings app is actually an UWP (modern or metro) app which allows users to customize and control Windows 10 features and functionality.

You can launch Settings app using several ways such as by pressing WIN+I keys together, using Start Menu, using WIN+X Menu, etc.

When we open Settings app, we resize its window according to our requirements or set it to maximized. We also set its program window position by moving it anywhere on our computer screen.

Did you ever wish to reset Settings app to factory defaults? Restore Settings app’s window size, position, etc to default just like it came when you clean installed Windows 10 in your computer system?

Why are we asking it? Actually there is a hidden secret way to reset Settings app in Windows 10 and the funny part is that resetting Settings app requires the use of Settings app itself. In other words, Windows 10 allows you to reset Settings app right from the Settings app.

Although I don’t see any important use of this method but sometimes this method can help some people if Settings app is causing issues in their Windows 10 devices. For example, Settings app is not opening properly or crashing/flashing on start or showing random error messages, etc.

Anyway here is the hidden secret way to reset Settings app in Windows 10 using the Settings app itself:

STEP 1:

We’ll need to open Settings app’s advanced options page. Actually every UWP app in Windows 10 has its own advanced options or properties page where we can check app publisher, version number, size, etc. We can also reset and uninstall the app using the advanced options page.

Related: [Tip] How to Reset or Terminate an App in Windows 10

So if we can somehow access the same advanced options page of main Settings app, we can reset the Settings app easily. But Windows 10 is clever enough to hide Settings app’s advanced options page so if we try to check Settings app in installed apps list using “Settings -> Apps” page, Windows 10 doesn’t display Settings app.

But there is a small glitch which we’ll use to access advanced options page of Settings app.

Open Start Menu and you’ll see Settings app icon (cog wheel) in left side vertical bar. Right-click on Settings icon and select “More -> App Settings” option.

Voilla. You got the advanced options page of main Settings app on your screen opened in Settings app itself.

STEP 2:

Now you can click on “Reset” button to reset Settings app to default factory state. Windows 10 will ask for confirmation, click on Reset button again.

That’s it. It’ll take a few seconds and Settings app will close itself as it’ll reset itself to factory settings.

Now try to open Settings app and it’ll start fresh.

You have successfully restored Settings app to default factory settings using the Settings app itself.

NOTE: This process will NOT reset or restore all Windows 10 settings to default factory state. It’ll only reset the Settings app. So it’s absolutely safe to use.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Uninstall Modern Apps in Windows 10

[Guide] How to Remove All Built-in Apps in Windows 10

[Guide] How to Reinstall All Default Built-in Apps in Windows 10