Before Microsoft made the Settings Panel in Windows fully functioning and had options for all the required settings, Control Panel was widely used by users to modify system settings. However, with the latest version of Windows and upcoming builds, Microsoft has plans to kill the Control Panel and replace it using Settings completely. In case you’re more comfortable with the old-school Control Panel, In this post, I will guide you on how to open the control panel in Windows 11/10 using various methods.
How to Open the Control Panel Windows 11/10
Microsoft currently offers a wide range of methods that could be used for accessing the control panel in Windows 11/10. Here’s the list of methods that could be followed for the same.
- Using Start Search Box
- Via Settings
- Using Run Dialog
- Using Command Prompt or Windows Terminal
- Via File Explorer
1] Using Start Search Box
The Start Search Box is an easy and convenient way to either search for files stored on the PC or quickly launch applications. Similarly, it could be used for opening the Control Panel in Windows 11/10. Here’s how to do so:
To open the Control Panel via the Search Box, bring up the start search box by either clicking the Windows Logo or clicking on it. Next, Searching for Control Panel would bring up the Control Panel as the main result. Tap on the required application, and you are good to go.
2] Via Settings
One of the simplest ways to find anything related to Settings could be via accessing the Settings Panel in Windows 11/10 itself. Here’s how to launch the Control Panel using Settings:
- Open the Settings Panel in Windows 11/10 (Win+ I)
- In the Search Box stating ‘Find a Setting’ type in Control Panel
- From the drop-down, choose the result stating the same, and the Control Panel will be up and running on your screen.
3] Using Run Dialog
The Run Run Dialog is regularly used by many users to launch applications or a specified location quickly. We could also use the Run Dialog in this case. Here’s how:
Quickly launch the Run Dialog by pressing the Win + R button at the same time or head over to the search box and open it via there. Next, in the Run Dialog, type in Control Panel and press Enter to open it.
4] Using Command Prompt/Windows Powershell
Users have generally used the Command Prompt or PowerShell window to execute queries or modify settings; however, one could also use it in our case. Here’s how you can use it to complete our required function of opening the Control Panel in Windows 11/10.
Open the Command Prompt or a Windows Powershell shell in Windows 11/10; next in the command line, type in Control Panel, and press Enter to execute the query. With this, the Control Panel should have been opened.
5] Via File Explorer
While the File explorer forms a way for users to access all the stored files in Windows, certainly Windows also offers a few (sort of) hidden options that could be used for saving time. Here’s how to open Control Panel using the file explorer.
Bring up the File Explorer in Windows 11/10, either using the Taskbar or the Start Search Box. Next, right next to the address pane, one would find a small icon ‘>’ for a dropdown. Click on it. This will bring up a drop-down menu. Here, choose Control Panel, and you’re good to go.
For those who are wondering, the Control Panel houses a ton of customization options and settings. It could be used to manage user accounts, uninstall programs, adjust security settings, and a lot more. There’s also a search box built-in, which could be used to find the required options. However, we do not recommend you play around with them unless you know what you’re doing.