How to Open the Settings app in Windows 10?

Microsoft has introduced PC Settings first in Windows 8, and rebranded PC Settings is available in the latest version of Windows 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 10 works in detail. One can install devices from it, change the keyboard language and desktop wallpaper, update Windows 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.

There are at least thirteen known methods through which you can quickly open the Settings app in Windows 10. These are the following:-

1. Using a keyboard shortcut
2. Via Start Menu
3. From Command Prompt (CMD)
4. From PowerShell
5. Using WinX power menu
6. Accessing Windows 10 Search
7. Through the Run dialog box
8. By creating a Settings shortcut
9. From File Explorer
10. Using the Action Center
11. By Pinning to the Windows 10 Start Menu or Taskbar
12. From desktop
13. 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.

Open the Settings app in Windows 10

Open Settings app using a keyboard shortcut

This is the easiest and fastest way to open the Settings app. Press and hold the Windows logo key and then press the I key (Windows + I) to open the Settings app quickly.

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.

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 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

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 Windows + X from the keyboard or perform a right-click on the Start button. In the menu that opens, click Settings. The Settings app will open.

Open Windows 10 Settings using Windows 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 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 Windows + R on the keyboard to open the Run box. Type the command ms-settings: and click OK or press Enter from the keyboard. It will open the Settings app.

Open Windows 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 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 10 Settings from File Explorer

To quickly access the Setting app from the Windows 10 Start Menu or the taskbar, you can pin its shortcut to the Windows 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 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 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 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.