Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Possible improper installation. Please try, uninstall both Stardock software mentioned, reboot immediately (important), download latest version available in your account product download page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products.  Install one product at a time, best to start with Start11, reboot immediately again. Retest if the issue appear. If everything working, install Groupy next, restart again right after the installation finish. Retest and report back.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

I tried what you suggested and nothing worked. I Uninstaller everything Stardock. Fences and Icon Packager said they had no uninstall files, so i used Rwvo Uninstalller to take care of them. It wasn't til I got rid of fences that the Start10 folder with the offending file was removed. Still nothing fixed it.

I reset just Windows and no luck. Now I'm resetting the entire PC, apps, settings, personal files, etc. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for your quick response. Wish I had better news.

1) Po, are you on W10 or W11? Also, did Windows do an update just before this happened? 

2) You need to make sure that the Windows License Manager Service is Automated and check if the error has been gone. Step 1: Type Services in Search and open it. Step 2: Locate and double-click on Windows License Manager Service. Step 3: When the next window pops up, in the General tab, change Startup to Automatic. Reboot.

2) If that didn't fix it, you well might have corrupted system files. Open Run, type cmd. Right click on it and choose the Run as Administrator option. In the window that opens type sfc /scannow exactly as it appears at the blinking cursor with a space between sfc and /scannow. Now hit Enter and let it run. Takes a few minutes. 

Reboot and let us know if it's fixed.

Perhaps, its an hardware issue, try these, assuming it use USP port to connect.

1. Try different USB port.
2. Try different USB item like mouse etc on that port and see if the mouse work with that port.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Could be. I looked up that specific error code and they related it to installation of new software and Windows updates...and recommended the automation of licensing services, doing an sfc /scannow and if that fails, DISM.

Well, I don't know what the hell happened. 

I tried to reinstall Win11 but kept getting error that it couldn't complete. I went into the BIOS, figuring I would boot it from a USB, only to find out I was locked out of my BIOS!

I had to take the PC apart, remove the graphics card, all so I could get to the battery for the BIOS. I pulled that and let it sit for 10 minutes and put it back together. This cleared all the BIOS passwords and reset it. Now, I could get into the BIOS. Then, I discovered, I had to reset my TMP and Secure Boot. Finally I was able to install a fresh Windows.

WIn 11

I think this is why I wasn't able to get into any of my privacy settings, especially mic and camers. Everytime I tried, Settings would crash. It all seems good now.

I did this and more scans but nothjing had worked. But Thank You  for the assist.

I tried them all. Device Manager said the cam and mic were installed but nowhere else in the system would it recognize them or allow me to use them.

That was my biggest fear. I checked the mic and cam on Journey;s PC (Hey guys, she just started college at USC this year. Where does the time go?) and they worked fine. I was starting to think something was broke or lose on the motherboard or my RAM was corrupted. Leigh-Ann was more nervous that I was, because a new PC is NOT in the budget, right?

I've reinstalled Start 11 2. The f-ing Start10 folder (Start10Ctrlpnl) is back (should it be? I thought before I reinstalled everything that the file shown above was leftover when I upgraded from Start 10. Now, I just dont know.) and the "Mic Privacy Settings" file is back.  

I don't know if it was that specific file that borked everything or if it just caught in the crossfire of a bigger problem.  I have a fresh version of Windows running and so far it all seems very good, fresh, fast, and working. I'm even reinstalling PS (does anyone use PS anymore or is it all AI now?)

Thanks everyone for the help and jumping in with this. Hopefully its all good from here on out.

"That was my biggest fear. I checked the mic and cam on Journey;s PC (Hey guys, she just started college at USC this year. Where does the time go?) " That is great news Po!   And also that your pc is up and running and all works fine!  

What could possibly go wrong?

Thank you.   

Bite your f-ing tongue.

Get off your porch rocker and have a grit (whatever that is) at your gourmet palace The Lizard Thicket.

Make my manners to Leigh-Ann (how that good woman puts up with you is beyond me) and relay "to please whup your butt proper like for talking like that in front of God fearin' folk".