Verified answer

what OS do you have?

how are you trying to get to Ctrl panel?

normal way = Start - Settings - Control panel

alternate = My computer - Other Places - Control panel

If you suspect that try running a virus scan. It'll be removed if you do have one starting with that. Or you can go to system restore at the start button and try to put the computer to a prior date that it opened in. This is a quick way to get something to work as it should usually.

I'd first try to restart the computer to override, maybe it's just not cooperating as it isn't wanting to open as it should at the moment?Try it and see which one of those ways works,hope one of those helped.