How to open the Windows Control Panel

Updated: 12/30/2021 by Figurer Hope

Windows 10 Control Panel

The Control Panel is a central location in Microsoft Windows where you can arrange your arrangement settings. If you're not sure how to open up the Command Panel, select your version of Windows from the list below for instructions.

How to open the Control Console in Windows 11

In Windows 11, the Command Panel is largely superseded past the Settings app. To open the Settings app, open the Start Menu and click the Settings app, or press Windows central+I (concur down the Windows fundamental and press "i").

Even so, the traditional Control Panel is still available.

Windows 11 Control Panel

At that place are several means to open the Command Panel in Windows 11.

From the Windows search bar

  1. Click the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar, next to the Kickoff Carte du jour button, to access the Windows search box.

Search icon on Windows 11 taskbar

  1. Blazon the word control in the Windows search box, and in the search results, select Control Panel.

Searching in Windows 11 search box for Control Panel

From the Run box

The control command tin can open the Control Panel from the Windows Run box.

  1. Open up the Run box by pressing Win+R (hold downwards the Windows key on your keyboard, and so press the R central).
  2. Type command and press Enter.

Opening the control panel from the Run box

As mentioned in the Windows command line section below, you lot tin likewise run the control command from the Windows eleven Command Prompt.

How to open the Control Console in Windows ten

In Windows 10, the Control Panel has largely been superseded by the Settings app. To open up the Settings app, open the Get-go Carte du jour and click the gear icon (⚙), or press Windows central+I (hold down the Windows primal and printing "i").

All the same, the traditional Command Console is yet bachelor.

Windows 10 Control Panel

There are several means to open the Control Panel in Windows 10.

From the Commencement Menu

  1. Open the First Menu.
  2. Whorl down to W, click Windows Organisation, then click Command Panel.

Opening the control panel from the start menu

From the Cortana search bar

  1. The Cortana search bar is on the left side of the taskbar, next to Start Menu button. Click the search bar to identify your cursor in this box.
  2. Type the word control. Cortana lists best matches to a higher place every bit you type. In this list, select Control Console.

Opening the control panel from the Cortana search bar

From the Run box

The control command can open the Control Panel from the Windows Run box.

  1. Open the Run box by pressing Win+R (hold downward the Windows cardinal on your keyboard, and so press the R key).
  2. Type command and press Enter.

Opening the control panel from the Run box

As mentioned in the Windows control line section below, yous tin can also run the control command from the Windows 10 Command Prompt.

How to open the Control Console in Windows 8 and viii.1

  1. Motility the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen and right-click.
  2. In the Power User Menu, select Control Panel.

Tip

If you are having trouble finding a specific icon, there is a search box in the top-right corner of the Command Console window.

How to open the Control Console in Windows Vista and seven

  1. On the Windows desktop screen, click Offset.
  2. Click Command Console on the correct side of the Commencement Menu.
  3. You may see a window similar to the following image. You lot may also come across the expanded version of the Control Panel, with icons for all the diverse utilities available.

Microsoft Windows 7 Control Panel
Microsoft Windows 7 Control Panel

Tip

If yous are having trouble finding a specific icon, there is a search box in the meridian-right corner of the Command Panel window.

How to open the Control Panel in Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, and XP

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Settings, then Control Panel.
  3. You should meet a window that resembles one of the post-obit images.

Microsoft Windows XP Control Panel
Microsoft Windows XP Control Panel

Windows Classic View vs. Windows Category View

Windows XP introduced two different ways to display the Control Panel: Classic View and Category View. By default, Windows displays the Control Panel in Category View (shown higher up), listing icons under broad categories rather than each one individually. For example, clicking Appearance and Themes allows y'all to arrange the theme, background, screen saver, and screen resolution. You lot can switch betwixt these 2 views past clicking the link in the top-left section of the Control Panel window.

Microsoft Windows 98 Control Panel
Microsoft Windows 98 Command Panel

How to open the Control Panel from the Windows command line

You tin can employ the control command to open up the Command Panel, and many of the Control Panel icons through the command line.

How to open up the Command Panel in Windows iii.ten

In Microsoft Windows 3.x, you can open the Control Panel window through the Main binder in Program Manager.