Windows 11 Advanced Options Missing: How to Get Them Back

You may need to perform a system restore to get the settings back

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Key notes

  • Windows 11 has a unique way of recovering from crashes and issues. You can use the Advanced options settings to troubleshoot such issues.
  • However, these settings may sometimes be unavailable, especially if something went wrong with the installation of your OS.
  • If this is the case, you may need a fresh install to recover the missing settings.

Windows 11 has several options available to recover your Windows PC. But what happens when the advanced options settings are missing? You may have tried to recover your PC using the built-in recovery tools, but they donโ€™t seem to be available.

Although there are various ways to enter Windows Recovery mode, when there are no advanced options where other apps and features are in Windows 11, it can be frustrating. So, if this option is missing in your Windows 11, we show you how to restore them.

Why are my Windows Recovery options not showing?

The Windows Recovery Environment provides a way to recover your PC from a problem. It’s designed for advanced users and provides access to the tools used to create recovery media and perform advanced recovery tasks.

In Windows 11, you can find these settings under Recovery as Advance startup options. If theyโ€™re mysteriously missing, below are some reasons:

  • Resetting gone wrong – This can happen if you installed a new operating system and had problems, or if Windows has become unresponsive or hangs on startup.
  • The recovery partition is broken – This can happen if the hard drive has been badly damaged by a virus or other software that has affected the operating system.
  • Corrupt program – The windows recovery options may be missing because you have installed untrusted third-party software on your computer. 
  • Hardware change – Windows may fail to start after a hardware change, such as the motherboard or other hardware components. Some settings, such as the recovery options, may also not appear.
  • Unlicensed OS – If youโ€™re running an unofficial version of Windows or your product key isn’t working, some settings may be missing from your system.
  • Missing updates – If you canโ€™t locate your advanced options, your PC may be missing some important update files required for the environment.
  • Corrupt updates – It is also possible that a recent update on your PC was corrupt which caused the advanced options to go missing in Windows 11.

How do I fix Windows Advanced Options missing in Windows 11?

We recommend you try the following basic steps before any advanced troubleshooting:

1. Run DISM and SFC scans 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow
  3. Restart your PC.

2. Run a virus scan 

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you donโ€™t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

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3. Uninstall recent Windows updates

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows Update and select Update history on the right pane.update-history restart to repair drive errors
  3. Scroll down and under Related settings, click on Uninstall updates.uninstall-updates-w11 computer-recognize-logitech-unifying-receiver
  4. This will take you to the most recent installed updates.
  5. Select the topmost update and click on Uninstall.Windows Updates Uninstall
  6. Restart your PC and check if the problem persists.

4. Check for Windows updates

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Select Windows Update and click on Check for updates.check-updates-w11 windows 11 blue screen
  3. Download and install if available.

5. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter

  1. Search for Perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically and open the app.
  2. Click on Advanced.
  3. Select Apply repairs automatically, then click on Next.Apply repairs automatically

If you have installed any updates and your system is not working properly, you can use the System Maintenance troubleshooter. This tool performs several tasks that optimize your computer’s performance. 

You can use this tool to run through the system maintenance checklist and see whether there are any issues with Windows, such as missing drivers or a virus scan that needs to be run.

6. Perform a system restore

  1. Click the Search icon, type Create restore point and click Open.
  2. Select the drive you wish to enable system restore for and click on Configure.
  3. Now select Turn on system protection. Set the Max Usage value and click on Apply and OK to save changes.
  4. Go back and repeat step 1.
  5. When the System Properties window opens, click on Create.system properties create restore point windows 11
  6. Enter the desired name for the restore point and then click the Create button.create a restore point windows 11 name
  7. Wait while Windows creates the restore point.
  8. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstrui, and hit Enter.rstrui restart to repair drive errors
  9. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  10. Now click on Finish.

7. Reset your PC

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. In the left window pane, select System, then click on Recovery on the right pane.System-Recovery-Windows-11 - secure boot enable without bios
  3. Click on Reset PC from the right side.clicking reset PC win11 settings
  4. Choose the type of factory reset you need. You can keep your files or completely delete all the files, apps, and settings on the PC.
  5. Select the option you want to reinstall Windows: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
  6. Click on Next.
  7. Finally, press the Reset button.

Resetting your PC is a good option if you’re having problems with Windows. It just means that you’ll start from scratch, but it also means that you’ll have a clean install of Windows on your computer.

The advanced options are not the only ones that can do a disappearing act. Users also found that Windows 11 power plans were missing. If this sounds familiar, check out our guide for quick fixes.

Let us know if you can resolve this issue in the comment section below.

More about the topics: Windows 11