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Sysdm.cpl is Not Working or Missing: 5 Ways to Fix it
Creating a new user profile does the trick
4 min. read
Published onJuly 10, 2024
published onJuly 10, 2024
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Recently, on one of my PCs, I found thatsysdm.cplwas not working. When openingSystem PropertiesviaControl Panel, it returned an error stating thatsysdm.cplis missing!
This happens due to corrupt system files, issues with the user profile, misconfigured Registry, or if you accidentally move/delete thesysdm.cplfile itself. If you are wondering whysysdm.cplnot opening is a problem, that’s because you won’t be able to perform a system restore orincrease the virtual memory, amongst other critical changes.
What can I do if sysdm.cpl is not opening or working?
1. Manually copy sysdm.cpl from another PC
As surprising as it may sound, simply copying thesysdm.cplfile from another computer to the affected PC fixes things in no time!
As for thesysdm.cpllocation, it’s:C:\Windows\System32
All you need to do is head to theSystem32folder on another PC > locate thesysdm.cplfile > copy it to an external storage drive > move the file to theSystem32folder on the affected PC.
2. Repair the corrupt system files
Missing orcorrupt system filescan often be the reasonsysdm.cplis not working in Windows 11. In this case, running theDISM commandsand SFC scan will replace the corrupt/missing system files with their cached copy.
If this doesn’t work and the error message highlights a DLL, use aneffective DLL repair toolto replace it with a fresh copy.
3. Delete problematic keys in the Registry
4. Create a new user profile
Ifsysdm.cplstarts working on a new account, the previoususer profile is corrupt. In this case, use an external storage to move all personal files from the affected profile to the new profile. As for installed programs, you can haveapps available to all users on the PC!
5. Perform an in-place upgrade
System errors likesysdm.cplcommand not working often call for an in-place upgrade as a fix. Remember, this is what worked for me!
An in-place upgrade is like a reinstall, except for the fact that your personal files and apps remain unaffected. And if this, too, fails for some reason, you can alwayscreate a bootable Windows USB, change the boot order to the USB, andreinstall Windows 11from scratch.
Which fix worked for you? Share with our readers in the comments section.
More about the topics:System Errors,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
