What are Control Panel.lnk Error Messages?

General Control Panel.lnk Runtime Errors

Control Panel.lnk file errors often occur during the startup phase of Office, but can also occur while the program is running. These types LNK errors are also known as “runtime errors” because they occur while Office is running. Here are some of the most common Control Panel.lnk runtime errors:

• Control Panel.lnk could not be found.
• Control Panel.lnk error.
• Control Panel.lnk failed to load.
• Error loading Control Panel.lnk.
• Failed to register Control Panel.lnk / Cannot register Control Panel.lnk.
• Runtime Error - Control Panel.lnk.
• The file Control Panel.lnk is missing or corrupt.

Most LNK errors are due to missing or corrupt files. Your Control Panel.lnk file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Office), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, Control Panel.lnk file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Office, system crash while loading or saving Control Panel.lnk, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or malware infection. Thus, it’s critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

How to Fix Control Panel.lnk Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your Control Panel.lnk issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the Control Panel.lnk error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

You can uninstall Office software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
4. Find the entry for Office 95 and click "Uninstall"
5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall Office software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

Office 95

Microsoft Corporation

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many Control Panel.lnk error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the Control Panel.lnk error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your Control Panel.lnk File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate Control Panel.lnk file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free Control Panel.lnk files for every applicable version of Office. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download Control Panel.lnk Files".
2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
3. Copy this file to the appropriate Office folder location:
   
   Windows XP: C:\MSOffice\Office\Shortcut Bar\Office\
   Windows Vista: C:\Users\Bill\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\
   Windows Vista: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\
   Windows 7: C:\Users\Bill\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\
   Windows 7: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\
   Show 13 more directories +

   Windows 8: C:\Users\Bill Gates\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8.1: C:\Users\Bill Gates\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8.1: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 10: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 10: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 10: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 10: C:\Users\Bill\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   Windows 10: C:\Users\defaultuser0\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\
   
4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows XP.

You are downloading trial software. The purchase of a one-year software subscription at the price of $29.97 USD is required to unlock all software features. Subscription auto-renews at the end of the term (Learn more). By clicking the "Start Download" button above and installing "Software", I acknowledge I have read and agree to the Solvusoft End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy.