Solved "Personalize" or "Display" Not Opening On Desktop After Right-Click...

Windows 11 (Version 21H2)
Hi Guys: This problem just began recently. When I right-click on the desktop & attempt to open either "Display" or "Personalize", I get a Windows Script Host error message. *(See screenshot). I don't have a clue as to how to solve this. Any suggestions would be more than appreciated. Thanks.

First thing to do is to run malware/virus scans and then go to the location mentioned in the message you attached and delete that file.

After the scans complete, open a Command Prompt (cmd) window and run the following commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Hello Jack,

You can see if using the tutorials below to add (restore) these context menus back to default may fix them.

trumpy81 said:

First thing to do is to run malware/virus scans and then go to the location mentioned in the message you attached and delete that file.

After the scans complete, open a Command Prompt (cmd) window and run the following commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. I've done all of the above several times. No success. I've hunted all over the Internet. Apparently, this is one of those quirky Windows issues that there doesn't seem to be a fix.

The drvspro.vbs file is NOT a Microsoft file and is usually associated with malware/viruses.

Microsoft have this to say about it:

F-secure have this to say about it:

Something, either an app, or as was mentioned, malware, is calling for a script file to be run and that script file is missing. That script could also be from some third party tweak you have made to your system..I would troubleshoot it this way.

1. If you are running ANY third party app that alters the GUI, uninstall it, restart, and test.

2. If you are running any third party AV, uninstall it, and restart. Download and install Malwarebytes. Run a full scan. Quarantine anything MWB finds. MWB will install the PRO real-time version for 14 days after which time it reverts to the free edition that does not run in realtime.

3. Put the computer into clean boot to see if the issue occurs. If it doesn't happen in a clean boot, you have some software conflicting with Windows . Brink's procedure will help you weed out which one. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

4. You can also prove that it is not account corruption by testing with another account. If settings work in another account, your account is corrupted.
Activate the hidden administrator account.
Open command prompt as administrator and type net user administrator /active:yes
Sign out of your account. You will see 2 logins on your signin screen. Sign in with the new administrator account & let it create its desktop. See if settings works correctly in that account. If it does, it's not an OS issue but corruption in your user account.
(Note: keep this account active only while troubleshooting) To disable it Open command prompt as administrator and type
net user administrator /active:no

If the problems proves to be in your user account only, report back with findings and I can tell you how to safely create a new user account and migrate your data into it.

trumpy81 said:

The drvspro.vbs file is NOT a Microsoft file and is usually associated with malware/viruses.

Microsoft have this to say about it:

TrojanDropper:VBS/RevengeRAT threat description - Microsoft Security Intelligence

F-secure have this to say about it:

Worm:VBS/Agent | F-Secure Labs

Technical details and removal instructions for programs and files detected by F-Secure products.

www.f-secure.com

Click to expand...

Thanks again. I found that out a few days ago. Apparently, Malwarebytes removed the drvspro.vbs file, but also caused the right-click of those two files to malfunction. I'm in the process of following Administrator @Brink's posted suggestion to see if I can bring back the now missing Windows Host Script protocol. I'll let you know how that pans out.

glasskuter said:

Something, either an app, or as was mentioned, malware, is calling for a script file to be run and that script file is missing. That script could also be from some third party tweak you have made to your system..I would troubleshoot it this way.

1. If you are running ANY third party app that alters the GUI, uninstall it and test.

2. If you are running any third party AV, uninstall it, and restart. Download and install Malwarebytes. Run a full scan. Quarantine anything MWB finds. MWB will install the PRO real-time version for 14 days after which time it reverts to the free edition that does not run in realtime.

3. Put the computer into clean boot to see if the issue occurs. If it doesn't happen in a clean boot, you have some software conflicting with Windows . Brink's procedure will help you weed out which one. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

4. You can also prove that it is not account corruption by testing with another account. If settings work in another account, your account is corrupted.
Activate the hidden administrator account.
Open command prompt as administrator and type net user administrator /active:yes
Sign out of your account. You will see 2 logins on your signin screen. Sign in with the new administrator account & let it create its desktop. See if settings works correctly in that account. If it does, it's not an OS issue but corruption in your user account.
(Note: keep this account active only while troubleshooting) To disable it Open command prompt as administrator and type
net user administrator /active:no

If the problems proves to be in your user account only, report back with findings and I can tell you how to safely create a new user account and migrate your data into it.

Click to expand...

Thanks. A piece of malware was identified as the likely culprit. So, I'm going to take the steps provided on this forum, and get back to each of you. Thanks again.

*Update. I finally had the time to sit down and apply all of the suggestions to try and fix this issue. Unfortunately, met with no success. I have several computers in my home with Windows 11 installed. The one in question is a recent custom-build. I was in the process of installing various software when this annoying issue appeared. I decided to reinstall the OS last night. So far, no problems. Eventually, I plan to use the computer as my main system. I'm carefully monitoring each piece of software. Thanks to all who contributed their ideas & suggestions. Really appreciated.

Re-installing Windows was a wise decision IMHO. At least now you know the machine is clean of any nasties.

I personally vet new to me software by installing it in a VM (Virtual Machine) first, to see if it breaks anything or if it is a Trojan or whatever. Only when it passes all tests do I install it on my main machine.

Setting up a VM is easier to do than you might think with Virtual Box and it's free. You should give it a try, it may help you avoid installing infected/trojan software again and you wont have to re-install Windows, just delete the VM and create a new one when you need to.

You will need to enable Virtualisation in your BIOS in order to use it and since every motherboard seems to have a different name for it, you will need to consult your User Manual or Google in order to find and enable it.

trumpy81 said:

Setting up a VM is easier to do than you might think with Virtual Box and it's free. You should give it a try, it may help you avoid installing infected/trojan software again and you wont have to re-install Windows, just delete the VM and create a new one when you need to.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Normally, I use Virtual Box, but got careless in my zeal to test out the new build. I should have known better. But, since I wasn't connected to the Internet... In any event, in the future, I won't drop my guard again. Thanks again for your input.

JACKSPRATNYC said:

Windows 11 (Version 21H2)
Hi Guys: This problem just began recently. When I right-click on the desktop & attempt to open either "Display" or "Personalize", I get a Windows Script Host error message. *(See screenshot). I don't have a clue as to how to solve this. Any suggestions would be more than appreciated. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I have a fresh copy of the settings app right from the ISO.