11 Ways to Open Control Panel in Windows 11

Microsoft has deprecated many of the tools found in Control Panel in favor of newer versions of those tools in the Settings app. However, the Control Panel tools have not yet been removed.

If you like using the Control Panel, we have good news. We are going to show you 11 different ways to access Control Panel in Windows 11.

1. How to Open Control Panel Using Search

One of the quickest ways to get to the control panel is to use the search function.

To open the Control Panel using the search function:

1. Click the Search icon in the taskbar (1) or press the Windows key.
2. Type: control in the search box at the top (2).
3. Click on Control Panel under Best match (3).

2. How to open Control Panel using Settings

Although it’s not obvious, the Control Panel is available through the Settings app.

To open the Control Panel using the Settings app:

1. Click on the Windows icon in the taskbar (1) or press the key windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Click on Settings in the Start menu (2).

3. Type: control Panel in the search box on the left (1).
4. Click on Control Panel when it appears under the search box (2).

3. How to Open Control Panel Using Windows Start Menu Tools

Microsoft has added a new shortcut called Windows tools to the Windows 11 Start menu and the Control Panel is available through this shortcut.

To open Control Panel using Windows Tools:

1. Open the Start menu and click All Apps in the upper right corner.

2. Scroll down the list of apps and click Windows tools.

3. Double click Control Panel.

4. How to Pin a Control Panel Shortcut to the Start Menu or Taskbar

For quick access, you can pin a shortcut to Control Panel to the Start menu or taskbar. This is handy if you often use the Start menu or taskbar to run other programs.

To pin a Control Panel shortcut to the Start menu or taskbar (or both):

1. Open the Start menu or click the Search icon on the taskbar, then type: control Panel in the search box at the top.
2. Under Best matchright click on Control Panel (1) then click Pin to taskbar (2) or Pin to start.
3. The Start menu remains open, so you can select the other option you didn’t select if you want Control Panel to be available in both the Start menu and the taskbar.

The control panel is now available in the taskbar.

5. How to add control panel to desktop

If you use the desktop to access programs, you can add the Control Panel to the desktop for quick access.

To add Control Panel to the desktop:

1. Right-click any empty space on the desktop and select Personalize.

2. On the Personalization settings screen, click Themes.

3. On the Themes screen, click Desktop icon settings.

4. On the Desktop icon settings dialog box, check the Control Panel check the box (1) then click on Okay (2).

The Control Panel icon is added to the desktop.

6. How to Create a Control Panel Shortcut You Can Put Anywhere

You can also create a shortcut to Control Panel that you can store anywhere, on your desktop, in a specific folder, etc. The previous method placed the Control Panel icon on the desktop, but it is not a shortcut in this case.

To create a Control Panel shortcut:

1. Right-click any empty space on the desktop.
2. To select New (1) then select Shortcut (2).

3. Copy the following and paste it into the Type the location of the item box (1).

%windir%System32control.exe

4. Click on following (2).

5. Type: Control Panel in the Type a name for the shortcut box (1) then click on To finish (2).

The Control Panel shortcut is added to the desktop. You copy or move the shortcut wherever you want.

7. How to Open Control Panel Using Address Bar in File Explorer

If you spend a lot of time using File Explorer, you’ll be happy to know that you can open Control Panel from there.

To open Control Panel using File Explorer, click the down arrow in the address bar drop-down list (1), then click Control Panel (2).

8. How to Add Control Panel to Folder List in File Explorer

You can also open the Control Panel with one click on File Explorer by adding it to the folder list.

To add Control Panel to the list of folders in File Explorer:

1. Click the See more menu button in the upper right corner of File Explorer window (1) then click on Choice (2).

2. Click it To see tab (1).
3. Under Navigation pane in the Advanced settings box, tick the box Show all folders box (2) and click on Okay (3).

Control Panel is added to the list of items in the left pane.

9. How to open the Control Panel using the Run dialog box

The Run dialog box is a convenient way to quickly open applications. You can use it to open the Control Panel.

To open the Control Panel using the Run dialog box:

1. hurry Windows key + R to open the Course
2. Type: control in the Open box and click Okay.

10. How to Open Control Panel from Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you like using commands to open apps and perform tasks, you can use the command line in Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the new Windows Terminal in Windows 11.

To open Control Panel using the command line:

1. Right-click on the Start menu icon in the taskbar (1) and click Windows Terminal (2).

2. Type: control at the prompt and press Enter.

11. How to open control panel from task manager

You can also open Control Panel from Task Manager. This method is equivalent to using the Course dialog box to open the Control Panel.

To open Control Panel using Task Manager:

1. hurry Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in compact mode as shown below, click More details to enlarge it.

3. From File menu, select Run a new task.

4. On the Create a new task dialogue, type: control in the Open box and click Okay.

Forget the control panel

As we have shown above, there are many ways to open and use Control Panel on Windows 11. So far, that is.

The Settings app is where you need to go to change most Windows settings on Windows 11. Although some features are still configurable in the Control Panel, you may find that changes with each new update. Windows day.

Not sure if your PC has changed or not after an update? You’ll need to check for the update, but first you’ll need to check your update history to see what’s changed.