How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Control Panel is commonly used in many versions of Windows , including Windows 11. The simplest way is when uninstalling applications on your computer, you will need Control Panel. We will guide you through a few ways to open Control Panel on Windows 11.

How to access Control Panel on Windows 11

Open Control Panel in the search bar

The simplest way is to open the Start Menu on Windows 11 and select the Windows content search bar. Type the keyword Control Panel and select the Control Panel icon displayed in the list.

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Using Run

Another quick and simple way is to use the Windows + R shortcut and the Run window will appear as shown below. Then type control/control panel and select OK .

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Using CMD (Command Prompt)

To open Control Panel using CMD (Command Prompt), you can use one of the following commands, depending on your version of Windows and how you want Control Panel to display:

You can simply type control command into CMD. This is the common way and works on most versions of Windows, by:

  1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
  3. In the CMD window, type the command Control Panel and press Enter, the Control Panel window will appear below.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Quickly open Control Panel with Shortcut

Step 1: On the Desktop screen, right-click on the main screen and select New > Shortcut .

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Step 2: In the Type the location of the item section, enter Control Panel and select Next.

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Step 3: Fill in the name of the Shortcut in the information field above and select Finish to complete.

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Step 4: And here, your shortcut when completed will be displayed as below, now you just need to select this shortcut to open Control Panel.

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Access Control Panel via File Explorer address bar

The File Explorer address bar makes it easy to access software programs on your device. Here's how to use it to access Control Panel:

  1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer .
  2. Navigate to the File Explorer address bar, type Control Panel , and then press Enter.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11
Open Control Panel via File Explorer's address bar

Alternatively, type C:\Windows\System32 in the File Explorer address bar and click control.exe or control in the next window.

Access Control Panel via Task Manager

Task Manager also provides an easy way to access Control Panel. Here's how you can use it:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager .
  2. Navigate to File > Run new task .
  3. Type Control Panel into the search box and press Enter.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11
Open Control Panel via Task Manager

Access Control Panel via Windows Settings

Did you know that you can also access Control Panel through Windows Settings? Here's how:

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings window.
  2. Type Control Panel in the search field and click on the relevant option from the search results.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11
Open Control Panel through system settings

Access Control Panel through the System32 folder

Did you know that you can access most of your Windows applications using executable (.exe) files in the System32 folder?

Here's how to open Control Panel via the System32 folder:

  1. Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or press Win + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Select This PC on the left side and then click Local Disk (C:) on the right side.
  3. Navigate to Windows > System32 .
  4. Scroll down and select control to open Control Panel.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11
Click on the control option in the System32 folder

Pin Control Panel to taskbar

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Once you have opened Control Panel using any of the methods described above, you will also see its icon appear on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. If you find yourself using Control Panel frequently, you can pin the logo directly to the taskbar for one-click Quick Access when needed.

Do this by right-clicking on the Control Panel icon while it is open, then selecting the “Pin to Taskbar” option. The next time you want to launch Control Panel, simply left-click once on the corresponding icon on the taskbar.

Add Control Panel icon on desktop

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Similarly, you can also add Control Panel icon on desktop for Quick Access by double clicking when needed.

First, press Windows + i to open the Settings app, then navigate to Personalization > Themes , and click “Desktop Icon Settings” . In the desktop icon settings window that opens, check the box next to “Control Panel” , then click “OK”. The Control Panel icon will immediately appear on the desktop. To launch it, simply double-click the icon at any time.

Some frequently asked questions about Control Panel

What does Control Panel do?

The Control Panel aggregates several small tools or "applets" to manage different aspects of the system:

Hardware and Sound Management:

  • Add or remove devices: You can install printers, scanners, webcams, mice, keyboards, etc.
  • Audio Adjustment: Customize volume, select playback/recording device, and system audio settings.
  • Power options: Set battery saving mode, screen timeout, and sleep mode for your device.
  • Device Management: View a list of connected devices and update their drivers.

Program Management:

  • Uninstall Programs: Remove unnecessary software from your computer.
  • Change or repair programs: Adjust settings or troubleshoot installed applications.
  • Windows Features: Turn on or off built-in Windows features (e.g. Internet Information Services, Hyper-V).

User Account Management:

  • Create/Delete Accounts: Add or delete user accounts on the computer.
  • Change account type: Give administrator rights or set as standard user.
  • Change Password: Reset or update passwords for accounts.
  • User Account Control (UAC): Adjust the warning level when programs attempt to make system changes.
How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

Network and Internet:

  • Check network status: View your current network connection (Wi-Fi, Ethernet).
  • Set up a new connection: Configure Wi-Fi, wired, or VPN.
  • Resource Sharing: Set up sharing of files, folders, or printers over the network.
  • Network Troubleshooting: Use tools to diagnose and fix connection problems.

Interface and Personalization:

  • Change wallpaper, theme: Customize the desktop interface as you like.
  • Adjust screen resolution: Change the display size of the screen.
  • Customize Taskbar and Start Menu: Arrange icons and change taskbar behavior.
  • Fonts: Install or manage fonts available on the system.

Systems and Security:

  • Security and Maintenance Center: Check the overall security status of your computer (firewall, antivirus software).
  • Windows Update: Manage and check for system updates.
  • Windows Defender Firewall: Configure firewall rules to protect your computer.
  • System Information: View details about CPU, RAM, Windows version, etc.
  • Backup and Restore: Create data backups and restore the system when needed.

Clock, Language and Region:

  • Set date and time: Adjust the date, time and time zone.
  • Language Settings: Add or change display and keyboard languages.
  • Regional Format: Customize number, currency, date formats by geographic region.

Ease of Access:

  • Provide special assistance options for users with specific needs (e.g. screen magnification, virtual keyboard, text dictation).

How is Control Panel different from Settings in Windows 10/11?

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 11

  • The Control Panel is a traditional tool that has been around for a long time in Windows, providing deeper access to system settings and detailed hardware/software management. Its interface can be a bit dated and less intuitive.
  • Settings is a more modern app, introduced in Windows 8 and heavily enhanced in Windows 10/11. It has a friendlier, easier-to-use interface, focusing on common settings and personalization. Although many functions have been moved to Settings, Control Panel still contains some advanced options that you won't find in Settings.
Tags: #System
Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000098: Backup ACPI.sys to Prevent Boot Failure

Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000098: Backup ACPI.sys to Prevent Boot Failure

Error code 0xc0000098 in Windows causes a blue screen error on startup. The ACPI.sys driver is often to blame, especially on unsupported versions of Windows 11 like 23H2 or 22H2 or Windows 10.

Quickly fix Windows 10/8/7 computer error that freezes and cannot exit Safe Mode

Quickly fix Windows 10/8/7 computer error that freezes and cannot exit Safe Mode

In some cases, sometimes you start your computer in Safe Mode and the computer freezes. So how to fix the error in this case, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

How to fix Snipping Tool keeps showing error

How to fix Snipping Tool keeps showing error

Snipping Tool is a powerful photo and video capture tool on Windows. However, this tool sometimes has some errors, such as constantly displaying on the screen.

How to get the fastest internet connection from your router

How to get the fastest internet connection from your router

Every network has a router to access the Internet, but not everyone knows how to make the router work better. In this article, we will introduce some router tips to help speed up the wireless connection in the network.

Common Mistakes When Performing Internet Speed ​​Tests

Common Mistakes When Performing Internet Speed ​​Tests

If the results seem slower than expected, don't be too quick to blame your ISP - mistakes when performing the test can skew your numbers.

What is QoS? How to use QoS for faster Internet speeds when you need it most

What is QoS? How to use QoS for faster Internet speeds when you need it most

In the article below, we will introduce and guide you to learn about the concept of QoS - Quality of Service on router devices.

Why cant this built-in Credential Manager feature in Windows replace a password manager?

Why cant this built-in Credential Manager feature in Windows replace a password manager?

Windows has a built-in Credential Manager, but it's not what you think it is—and certainly not a replacement for a password manager.

How to install free HEVC codecs on Windows 10 (for H.265 video)

How to install free HEVC codecs on Windows 10 (for H.265 video)

Microsoft charges for its official codecs and doesn't include them in Windows 10. However, you can get them for free without pulling out your credit card and spending $0.99.

Instructions to fix Access Denied error when accessing files or folders on Windows

Instructions to fix Access Denied error when accessing files or folders on Windows

While having trouble accessing files and folders can be frustrating, don't panic—with a few simple tweaks, you can regain access to your system.

How to check if USB Boot has been created successfully?

How to check if USB Boot has been created successfully?

After creating a USB boot to install Windows, users should check the USB boot's performance to see if it was created successfully or not.

4 Types of Windows Data That Are Growing in Size: How to Control Them?

4 Types of Windows Data That Are Growing in Size: How to Control Them?

Although Windows Storage Sense efficiently deletes temporary files, some types of data are permanent and continue to accumulate.

How to turn off background apps in Windows 11, reduce RAM consumption on Win 11

How to turn off background apps in Windows 11, reduce RAM consumption on Win 11

You can turn off Windows 11 background apps to optimize performance, save battery and reduce RAM consumption.

Instructions to fix the error “Network path was not found” in Windows

Instructions to fix the error “Network path was not found” in Windows

When a computer, mobile device, or printer tries to connect to a Microsoft Windows computer over a network, for example, the error message network path was not found — Error 0x80070035 may appear.

How to block Internet connection of Windows 10 software and applications

How to block Internet connection of Windows 10 software and applications

We can block Internet access for any application or software on the computer, while other programs can still access the network. The following article will guide readers on how to disable Internet access for software and applications on Windows.

How to Stay Safe on Windows 10 Until 2030

How to Stay Safe on Windows 10 Until 2030

Instead of paying $30 for a year of security updates, keep Windows 10 safe until 2030 with this simple solution.

Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000098: Backup ACPI.sys to Prevent Boot Failure

Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000098: Backup ACPI.sys to Prevent Boot Failure

Error code 0xc0000098 in Windows causes a blue screen error on startup. The ACPI.sys driver is often to blame, especially on unsupported versions of Windows 11 like 23H2 or 22H2 or Windows 10.

Quickly fix Windows 10/8/7 computer error that freezes and cannot exit Safe Mode

Quickly fix Windows 10/8/7 computer error that freezes and cannot exit Safe Mode

In some cases, sometimes you start your computer in Safe Mode and the computer freezes. So how to fix the error in this case, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

How to fix Snipping Tool keeps showing error

How to fix Snipping Tool keeps showing error

Snipping Tool is a powerful photo and video capture tool on Windows. However, this tool sometimes has some errors, such as constantly displaying on the screen.

How to get the fastest internet connection from your router

How to get the fastest internet connection from your router

Every network has a router to access the Internet, but not everyone knows how to make the router work better. In this article, we will introduce some router tips to help speed up the wireless connection in the network.

Common Mistakes When Performing Internet Speed ​​Tests

Common Mistakes When Performing Internet Speed ​​Tests

If the results seem slower than expected, don't be too quick to blame your ISP - mistakes when performing the test can skew your numbers.

What is QoS? How to use QoS for faster Internet speeds when you need it most

What is QoS? How to use QoS for faster Internet speeds when you need it most

In the article below, we will introduce and guide you to learn about the concept of QoS - Quality of Service on router devices.

Why cant this built-in Credential Manager feature in Windows replace a password manager?

Why cant this built-in Credential Manager feature in Windows replace a password manager?

Windows has a built-in Credential Manager, but it's not what you think it is—and certainly not a replacement for a password manager.

How to install free HEVC codecs on Windows 10 (for H.265 video)

How to install free HEVC codecs on Windows 10 (for H.265 video)

Microsoft charges for its official codecs and doesn't include them in Windows 10. However, you can get them for free without pulling out your credit card and spending $0.99.

Instructions to fix Access Denied error when accessing files or folders on Windows

Instructions to fix Access Denied error when accessing files or folders on Windows

While having trouble accessing files and folders can be frustrating, don't panic—with a few simple tweaks, you can regain access to your system.

How to check if USB Boot has been created successfully?

How to check if USB Boot has been created successfully?

After creating a USB boot to install Windows, users should check the USB boot's performance to see if it was created successfully or not.

4 Types of Windows Data That Are Growing in Size: How to Control Them?

4 Types of Windows Data That Are Growing in Size: How to Control Them?

Although Windows Storage Sense efficiently deletes temporary files, some types of data are permanent and continue to accumulate.

How to turn off background apps in Windows 11, reduce RAM consumption on Win 11

How to turn off background apps in Windows 11, reduce RAM consumption on Win 11

You can turn off Windows 11 background apps to optimize performance, save battery and reduce RAM consumption.

Instructions to fix the error “Network path was not found” in Windows

Instructions to fix the error “Network path was not found” in Windows

When a computer, mobile device, or printer tries to connect to a Microsoft Windows computer over a network, for example, the error message network path was not found — Error 0x80070035 may appear.

How to block Internet connection of Windows 10 software and applications

How to block Internet connection of Windows 10 software and applications

We can block Internet access for any application or software on the computer, while other programs can still access the network. The following article will guide readers on how to disable Internet access for software and applications on Windows.

How to Stay Safe on Windows 10 Until 2030

How to Stay Safe on Windows 10 Until 2030

Instead of paying $30 for a year of security updates, keep Windows 10 safe until 2030 with this simple solution.