Microsoft has introduced PC Settings first in Windows 8, and rebranded PC Settings is available in the latest version of Windows 11 and 10. Microsoft has completely changed the Settings app, and now it is easier to use. Microsoft has introduced the Settings app in Windows 10, but still classic Control Panel is part of Windows 10, and we can still find some settings in the Control Panel. At the same time, all the Settings are accessible under the Settings app only. Microsoft slowly shifting the Control Panel to the Settings app so that Control Panel may be phased out from Windows 11. However, the classic Control Panel is still a part of Windows 11.
Windows 10 Settings app look:
Settings app allows customization of Windows 11/10 works in detail. One can install devices from it, change the keyboard language and desktop wallpaper, update Windows 11/10, or configure its privacy settings. Settings app lets you personalize the Start menu or screen, lock screen, and many other options. It is also possible to pin your favorite settings or settings through the Settings app that you need to access the Start menu or screen very often.
All settings and options have been divided into thirteen different categories in Windows 11/10: System, Devices, Phone, Network & Internet, Personalization, Apps, Accounts, Time & Language, Gaming, Ease of Access, Search, Privacy, and Update & security. Clicking on any category, you can view its sub-categories.
There are many ways to open the Settings app in Windows 10, including keyboard shortcuts. This post will guide you on different ways to open the Settings app in Windows 10/11.
There are at least thirteen known methods through which you can quickly open the Settings app in Windows 10/11. These are the following:-
- Using a keyboard shortcut
- Via Start Menu
- From Command Prompt (CMD)
- From PowerShell
- Using WinX power menu
- Accessing Windows 10 Search
- Through the Run dialog box
- By creating a Settings shortcut
- From File Explorer
- Using the Action Center
- By Pinning to the Windows 10 Start Menu or Taskbar
- From desktop
- From Windows taskbar
This post was written by keeping in mind Windows 10. These steps still work on Windows 11, but GUI has been changed; hence we covered a separate post to open the Settings app in Windows 11.
Topics Covered
Open the Settings app in Windows 10/11
Open Settings app using a keyboard shortcut
This is the easiest and fastest way to open the Settings app. Press and hold the
Launch Settings app using Start Menu
Start Menu is another fast way to open the Settings app in Windows 10. Click or tap the Start button and then select the Settings icon on the left. The Setting window will open.
Access Settings from Command Prompt (CMD)
If you love to use Command Prompt (CMD), you can execute the command start ms-settings: to open the Settings app.
To open the Command Prompt, click the Start menu on Windows 11/10 and type “command prompt.” From the available results, click on the Command Prompt to open it.
Once the Command Prompt window opens, type the command start ms-settings: and press Enter from the keyboard to open the Settings app.
Launch Settings app using Windows PowerShell
If you love to use PowerShell, you can execute the command start ms-settings: to open the Settings app.
To open the PowerShell, click the Start menu on Windows 11/10 and type “PowerShell.” From the available results, click on Windows PowerShell to open it.
Once the Windows PowerShell window opens, type “start ms-settings:” and press Enter from the keyboard to open the Settings app.
Open Settings from the WinX menu
To open the WinX menu, press
Open Windows 11/10 Settings using Windows 11/10 Search
Click on the Start button of Windows and type “settings.” From the available search results, click/tap the Settings. The Settings app will open.
Access Windows 11/10 Settings using the Run dialog box
You can also opt Run window method to open the Settings app. To open the Settings app from the Run window, press
Open Windows 11/10 Settings by creating a Settings shortcut
If you prefer to use the desktop shortcut to start apps, you can create one for the Settings app. Right-click on the Windows 10 Desktop’s free space, select New, and then select Shortcut.
In the Create Shortcut wizard that opens, type ms-settings: in the text box labeled with “Type the location of the item.”
Click the Next button.
In the text field labeled with “Type a name for this shortcut,” write Settings app.
Click the Finish button to see a shortcut with the name of the Settings app.
Double-click on the shortcut Settings app will open the Settings window.
Open Windows 11/10 Settings from File Explorer
File Explorer also provides an option to launch the Settings app easily and quickly. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows logo + E keys from the keyboard and then click on This PC. Expand the Computer tab from the ribbon on top, and then click Open Settings.
The Settings window will open.
Open Windows 11/10 Settings using the Action Center
Windows 10 includes a feature called the Action Center, where you see notifications about the things happening on your PC and the quick actions you can use. Click on the Action Center icon at the right end of the taskbar or by pressing Windows + A shortcut key from the keyboard. At the bottom of the Action Center, click All settings, and the Settings app is opened.
Pin the Settings app to the Windows 11/10 Start Menu or the taskbar
To quickly access the Setting app from the Windows 11/10 Start Menu or the taskbar, you can pin its shortcut to the Windows 11/10 taskbar or the Start Menu. To pin the Settings app to the Start Menu, right-click or press and hold the Settings icon. A menu will open. Select “Pin to Start.”
To pin the Settings app to Windows 11/10 Taskbar, right-click or press and hold the Settings icon. A menu will open. Select More, then select Pin to taskbar.
Open Settings from the desktop
It is also possible to open the Settings app from the Windows 11/10 desktop. To open the Settings app, right-click or tap and hold on the desktop, choose Display settings or Personalize from the context menu.
The Settings app will open in the section you have chosen in the menu (Display settings or Personalize). From either window, click or tap the Home link in the top-left corner to see the Settings app’s starting screen.
Open Windows 10 Settings from the taskbar
Through the Windows 11/10 taskbar also you can get the Settings app quickly. Right-click on the empty space of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
The taskbar section of the Settings app opens. Click or tap Home in the top-left corner to see the homepage of the Settings window.
That’s all.