If you’ve upgraded from a previous version of Windows to Windows 10, you’ll find that most of the Control Panel functionality has now been moved to the Settings app. Now this is your application for configuring any parameters of your computer.
However, if you need to open the Control Panel in Windows 10 for some reason, you can still do so as it hasn’t been completely removed yet. There are actually several ways to run this traditional utility on Windows 10.
Use the Start menu to open Windows 10 Control Panel
You are familiar with this method of running built-in tools in Windows operating system. You can use the Start menu to find and launch Control Panel, as it is located in one of the folders there.
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
- Scroll down and find the entry that says Windows System. Click the arrow icon next to it.
- Click a control bar item.
Using Cortana Search
Cortana lets you search for and run many types of files, and you can also use it to open Control Panel in Windows 10.
- Click the Cortana search box.
- Enter text in the control panel.
- The application will appear in the search results. Click on it and it will launch.
Use Run Dialog
Like Cortana, the Run dialog box also lets you run a number of functions on your computer, including the Control Panel app in Windows 10. You just need to enter the name of the utility and it will open it for you. P>
- Press the Windows + R keys at the same time and a window will open.
- Type Control Panel and press Enter.
- The utility should run.
Use Command Prompt
If you’re playing with commands and need quick access to Control Panel, you can use a Command Prompt window to open Control Panel in Windows 10. This is basically like running a command in the Command Prompt Editor.
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- Use Cortana search to find and open a command prompt if it is not already open on your screen.
- Type the following command and press Enter.
Control Panel
- The Control Panel should now be open on your screen.
Using PowerShell
The PowerShell method for opening Control Panel in Windows 10 is similar to the command line method. However, this time you will be using a different utility to open the menu.
- Open PowerShell on your computer by searching for and clicking on it in search for Cortana.
- Type the following command and press Enter.
Control Panel
- The utility should open on your screen.
- From any computer screen, press the Windows and X keys at the same time. A menu will open.
- Click the Command Prompt or Command Prompt (Admin) option to launch it.
- Click on the Cortana Icon in the taskbar and it will launch.
- Ask Cortana about the following.
open the control panel.
- It will find and run the utility for you.
- Open the Settings app if it’s not already open.
- You can launch the control panel from any screen of the application. Place your cursor in the search box, find Control Panel and click it.
- Place the cursor in the address bar and type in the control panel.
- Press Enter and the utility will open.
- Another method you can use is to navigate to the following path and double-click the file named control.exe.
C: Windows System32
- Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize.
- Click “Themes” in the left sidebar on the next screen.
- Click Desktop Icon Settings in the right sidebar.
- Check the box for the control panel and click Apply and then click OK at the bottom.
- You should now have a shortcut on your desktop. Double click on it to open the utility.
- Use Explorer to navigate to the next path.
C: Windows System32
- Right-click on the file named control.exe, select Send To and select Desktop (create shortcut ).
- Right-click the shortcut on the desktop and select Properties.
- Click the Shortcut tab, place the cursor in the Shortcut field and create a new shortcut. Finally, click “Apply†and then “OKâ€.
Use Quick Access List
The Quick Access Menu is a handy feature in Windows 10 that allows you to easily access some of the built-in system tools. The utilities it contains include Control Panel, Task Manager, Settings, and a few others.
Use Cortana Voice Search
Searching for Cortana can do much more than just help you find information on a specific topic. You can also use it to open various apps, and it’s the perfect way to open Control Panel in Windows 10 if you don’t want to use any keyboard methods.
Using the Settings app
The Settings app more or less replaces the old control panel, but this new replacement has the ability to launch the traditional settings panel. This method may not be ideal and fast unless you’re already in the Settings app and want to use the traditional Windows Settings menu.
Using File Explorer
If you are in an explorer window, you can launch the control panel from the explorer address bar. You just need to enter the name of the utility, and it will open for you.
Use desktop shortcut
If you need to open Control Panel too often, you can add a panel icon to your desktop for quick access. Then all you have to do is double-click the icon and a panel will open.
Use the keyboard shortcut
Actually, there is no default keyboard shortcut for launching Control Panel in Windows 10, but you can create one yourself by following a few quick and easy steps.
What’s your favorite way to open Control Panel on Windows 10 PC? Let us know in the comments below.
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