Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open on Windows 10 / 11
Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open on Windows 10 / 11. So far, Microsoft has released nine major versions of its Windows desktop operating system over the last three decades. Much has changed during this period. However, the Control Panel is one feature that has seemingly stood the test of time. In fact, Microsoft has preserved much of its functionality and look-and-feel from Windows XP. This is also the case for Windows 11.
While it sports a more pragmatic macOS-like aesthetic, the Control Panel remains fundamentally un updated. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When transitioning into new territory, having something familiar to hold onto is always comforting. You have to learn new ways of doing things with nearly every new version of Windows. This goes for configuring your settings too. The Control Panel serves as a totem to fall back on when Windows’ rearrangements become all too overwhelming. But we’re not here to wax lyrical about the Control Panel.
We’re here to show you the various ways of Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open on Windows 10 / 11.
What is the Windows Control Panel?
Each applet or grouping/category represents an aspect of the Windows operating system. For example, if you want to configure how Windows interfaces with hardware devices, you can use the Device Manager applet or the Hardware and Sound category.
Nevertheless, please note that these applets can be accessed directly without going through the Windows Control Panel. For instance, you can launch the Device Manager from the Microsoft Windows Run dialog using the devmgmt.msc command.
Remember that the Control Panel gives you an organized view of all these applets and settings. But what other options can you personalize and configure using the Control Panel?
What Can the Windows Control Panel Be Used For?
The latest version of the Windows Control Panel typically consists of eight categories. The categories include:
System and Security:
This section allows you to review your computer’s security status, create backups of your files and restore previous versions of Windows. Additionally, you can use some of the applets to manage storage space, optimize your drives and view event logs. This category contains the following applets:
Network and Internet:
Well this section allows you to view the status of your network connections and configure them. For instance, you can use the applets in this category to modify your DNS settings for security purposes. The Network and Internet category consists of two main applets:
- Network and Sharing Center.
- Internet Options.
Hardware and Sound:
As we’ve previously mentioned, the Hardware and Sound category allows you to view and configure how devices connect and interact with the Windows operating system. This category consists of the following applets:
- Devices and Printers.
- Auto play.
- Sound.
- Power Options.
- Windows Mobility Center.
Programs:
So this category allows you to configure, uninstall, modify and view applications that are installed on your system. Additionally, it allows you to alter the default settings for inserted media and devices. The applets contained within this category are as follows:
- Programs and Features.
- Default Programs.
User Accounts:
Appearance and Personalization:
Appearance and personalization allows you to personalize the look and feel of the Windows user interface. This includes the font, theme and controls. Nevertheless, this category contains the following applets:
- Taskbar and Navigation.
- Ease of Access Center.
- File Explorer Options.
- Fonts.
Clock and Region:
This section allows you to configure the time and region you’re using your computer from. This will affect your date and number formats. The Clock and Region section of the Control Panel contains:
- Date and Time.
- Region.
Ease of Access:
Last category we describe is slightly redundant as you can find the same functionality in the Appearance Personalization section. It allows you to personalize the Windows operating system, so it can be easier for you to use. This category includes the following applets:
- Ease of Access Center.
- Speech Recognition.
You can use the above section as an informal glossary or map to help you navigate through Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open (Shortcut) on Windows 10 / 11.
How to Open the Windows Control Panel
With Windows Control Panel there are numerous ways to access it on both Windows 10 and 11. Some of these methods may be transferrable from Windows 10 to 11, while others are version-dependent. Let’s start with the Run dialog:
Using the Run Dialog
The following method works for both Windows 10 and 11.
- Open the Windows Run Dialog (Winkey + R).
- Next, type Control into the Open field.
- Hit the Enter key.
You can also launch the Run dialog from the Windows Task Manager by doing the following:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
- Select the File menu item.
- Click on Run new task.
Using the Start Menu Search
Again, you can use the following method to run the Control Panel on both Windows 10 and 11.
- Hit the Windows key on your keyboard (ÿ). Alternatively, click on the Start or Search icon on your taskbar (🔎).
- Type Control into the search box. The Control Panel should appear as the best match. If not, type Control Panel in full.
Select Control Panel from the results.
Using File Explorer
This method should work for both Windows 10 and 11.
- Open Windows File Explorer (Winkey + E).
- Type Control into the address bar.
- Hit Enter.
Using Settings
While performed on Windows 10, you can repurpose the following steps for Windows 11.
- Open the Windows Settings application (Winkey + I). By default, Windows will apply focus to the search field. If not, click on the Windows Settings search field.
- Type Control Panel into the search field.
- Select Control Panel from the search results.
Using Windows Tools
This method is exclusive to Windows 11:
- Open the Start menu (Winkey).
- Click on All apps.
- Scroll down through the list of apps until you find the Windows Tools option and open it.
- Scroll through the list of applets until you find the Control Panel
- Double click on it.
How to Create a Windows Control Panel Desktop Shortcut
You can easily create a taskbar shortcut using the Control Panel app’s right click context menu. But how do you create a desktop shortcut? This section of the guide will show you how.
Create Control Panel Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10
- Right click on an empty area of your desktop.
- Highlight New from the context menu.
- Click on Shortcut.
- Type %windir%\system32\control.exe into the field labeled Type the location of the item and then click on the Next button.
- Name the shortcut Control Panel and then click on Finish.
Here Windows 10 will create a desktop shortcut for the Control Panel.
Next with this article blog about Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open (Shortcut) on Windows 11.
Create Control Panel Desktop Shortcut on Windows 11
Windows 11 introduced a much more sophisticated way of creating a shortcut for The Control Panel. Here are the steps:
- Once again, right click on an empty area of your desktop.
- Select Personalize from the context menu.
- Next, scroll down until you find the Themes option and click on it.
- Once again, scroll down until you find the Desktop Icon Settings item and then click on it.
- Check the box labeled Control Panel in the Desktop icons
- Click on the OK button.
- Close the Settings.
If all steps are followed correctly, Windows 11 will create an official desktop shortcut for the Control Panel. You should now be able to run the Control Panel directly from your desktop.
Great job! Thank you for reading Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open on Windows 10 / 11.
Windows Control Panel: How to Use and Open on Windows 10 / 11 Conclusion
To summarize Windows 11 adoption has been sluggish. At the time of writing this guide, Windows 10 still controlled the majority of the desktop operating system market share. One reason could be that users have fears about moving their files, application, and workflows over to a relatively new operating system. For instance, does Windows 11 have driver support for hardware? Will your games have compatibility issues? How secure is Windows 11?
Finally Windows 11 adoption has been sluggish. At the time of writing this guide, Windows 10 still controlled the majority of the desktop operating system market share. One reason could be that users have fears about moving their files, applications, and workflows over to a relatively new operating system. For instance, does Windows 11 have driver support for hardware? Will your games have compatibility issues? How secure is Windows 11?
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