How to Fix File System Error (-2018374635) on Windows 10/11

Quick Answer

File system error (-2018374635) usually appears due to corrupted system files, damaged app components, and a broken user profile. To fix it, run DISM and SFC first, then update Windows, reset the affected app, and create a new user account.

What Causes File System Error (-2018374635) Windows 11/10?

File system error (-2018374635) commonly occurs when you try to launch the Start Menu, the Settings app (via ms-settings), Taskbar, Microsoft Edge, or File Explorer.

Various factors can trigger this error, including:

• Corrupted Windows system files: Damaged system files may prevent Windows components from launching properly.
• Broken apps: The packages of Built-in apps such as Settings, Edge, or Photos may get corrupted.
• Failed Windows updates: Your updates are incomplete, causing compatibility issues.
• Damaged user profile: A corrupted user account can block Windows from accessing required configuration files.

How to Fix File System Error (-2018374635)

Find the right solution in the table below based on your situation.

#1. Restart Windows Explorer

According to users, this way may be helpful to fix file system error 2018374635.

Step 1: Right-click on Taskbar in Windows 10 and choose Task Manager.

Step 2: In the Processes tab, scroll down to find Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Right-click on it and choose End task.

#2. Run System File Checker

System File Checker, also known as SFC, is the built-in utility in Windows to be used to help check the system for corrupt or missing Windows files and restore them. With this tool, you can fix many system errors & problems including the file system error (-2018374635) since the error may be triggered by missing/corrupt Windows system files.

Here is how to run an SFC scan to scan all the components in your PC and fix the issue:

Step 1: In Windows 10/11, type cmd to the search box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Click Yes in the User Account Control popup.

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Step 2: In the CMD interface, type in the command – SFC /scannow and then press Enter. Then, this tool starts the verification phase of the system scan to check for possible corruptions and repair them. Once the process reaches 100%, exit the CMD window and restart your PC to check if your issue is fixed.

#3. Use DISM

If SFC fails to fix file system error (-2018374635), you can use another Windows tool – DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to check whether there is any corruption in the Windows Image or not. See how to run a DISM scan:

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt with admin rights in Windows 11/10.

Step 2: Type in the commands one by one and press Enter after each one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 3: Run sfc /scannow again.

After finishing all the operations, reboot the PC and see if the file system error is removed from your computer.

#4. Run Check Disk

According to users, this way is worth trying. Just launch Command Prompt with admin permissions, type in the command chkdsk C: /f /r /x, and press Enter. This can help to check for any bugs and errors inside the hard disk and fix them including this file system error.

#5. Install the Latest Windows Updates

If you don’t update Windows 10 regularly, some compatibility issues may generate on the computer. As a result, the issue of being unable to launch ms settings file system error 2018374635 or other error messages with the error 2018374635 appear.

Follow the instructions to update Windows.

Step 1: Click the Windows icon and tap on Settings or press Win + I to directly open Settings.

Step 2: Go to the Windows Update page.

Step 3: Click the Check for updates button. If Windows finds some available updates, the system will download and install them automatically. You are required to restart the PC several times to finish the installation.

#6. Try Clean Boot in Windows 10/11

Clean Boot uses minimal drivers and startup programs to run Windows so that you can determine whether there is a background app interfering with your process. This is similar to Windows Safe Mode.

Try these steps now for Clean Boot:

Step 1: Press Win + R to get the Run dialog, type msconfig to the text box and click OK to open the System Configuration window.

Step 2: Check the option of Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.

Step 3: Click Apply and then OK.

If the file system error (-2018374635) disappears in the Clean Boot mode, it is obvious that the third program is triggering the issue. Enable the app processes on by one or in small batches in System Configuration to check which one is the culprit.

#7. Reset Your Apps via PowerShell

In some forums, some users recommend this way and just have a shot now.

Related post: What Is Windows PowerShell? How About Windows PowerShell VS CMD?

See what you should do:

Step 1: Press Win + X and click Windows PowerShell (Admin). Or, you can type PowerShell to the search box and click Run as Administrator from the right pane to launch this command-line tool with admin rights.

Step 2: Click Yes when the User Account Control popup appears.

Step 3: Copy and paste the following commands to the PowerShell window and press Enter after each command:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

#8. Run a System Restore

System Restore is another way to help to restore your PC to an earlier date where everything still works. If you encounter the file system error (-2018374635) in Windows 10, run System Restore now.

Step 1: Type create a restore point to the search box and click the exact result to open the System Properties window.

Step 2: Click System Restore to go on.

Step 3: Choose a restore point that should be created before the file system error (-2018374635) was troubling you.

Step 4: Click Next > Finish and the restoration process starts.

If there isn’t a restore point, this way cannot help you.

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#9. Change User Account

Sometimes the current user profile may get corrupt or damaged thus blocking Windows from using some specific system setup files or elements. As a result, the error 2018374635 happens on your Windows 10 PC. So, creating a new user account and signing in to the PC with this account next time will be a good idea.

Follow the steps to do so:

Step 1: Click the start icon and right-click on your profile image to choose Change account settings. Or, go to Settings > Accounts.

Step 2: Click Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.

Step 3: In the Microsoft account popup, create a new account for this PC by following the on-screen wizards.

After creating the account, sign out of the current account and sign in with the new one to check if the error 2018374635 is disappeared.

#10. Reset Windows

If none of these fixes can solve the file system error (-2018374635), you can try to reset your Windows. This way can cause data loss, so before you proceed with this operation, back up your important files.

Backup Data Before Resetting Windows

In terms of data backup, we recommend using the professional file backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker. It is designed to back up files, folders, Windows systems, disks, and partitions. Automatic backup, incremental and differential backup are supported. Now, get its trial edition to have a shot.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1: Open MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition in Windows 10/11.

Step 2: In the Backup interface, choose files to back up by clicking SOURCE. Then, choose a path to save the backed-up data by clicking DESTINATION.

Step 3: Click Back Up Now to start the backup task.

Reset Windows 11/10

After the backup, follow these steps to begin PC resetting.

Step 1: Press Win + I to enter the Settings window.

Step 2: Click Update & Security > Recovery and click the Get started button from the Reset this PC section.

Step 3: Choose an option to continue and here we recommend choosing Keep my files.

Step 4: Select Cloud download or Local reinstall to go on. (Related post: Cloud Download vs Local Reinstall: Differences on Win 10/11 Reset)

Step 5: Finish all the operations by following the instructions on the screen.

Conclusion

File system error (-2018374635) can be easily resolved via several methods. Follow the instructions to run SFC and DISM, update Windows, reset apps, create a new user account, and more.

Before PC resetting, ensure you back up important files to avoid data loss. If you encounter issues with MiniTool software, send an email to [email protected].

File System Error (-2018374635) FAQ