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Windows Control Panel: What is it & How to Use it?

There are multiple easy ways in which you can access it

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Users have been asking what Windows Control Panel is; answering it is our goal today. To put it briefly, it is a collection of applets, or little programs, that allow you to adjust different components of the Windows operating system.Even though it has been available since Windows 1.0, it is a little more challenging to locate these days.

This is because much of its functionality has been transferred to the modern Settings menu, which is why you may be having problems finding the Windows 11 legacy Control Panel or questioning if the OS has one.Even while the feature is still present, it is not prominently displayed, and you must reach it using the search function or Command Prompt.

Microsoft has announced thatWindows 11’s Control Panel will be phased outsoon as a number of modifications were made to the Settings app to include some of the former’s functionality.

Follow along as today we will show you how to open and use Control Panel, as well as address some of your most asked questions about it.

Does Windows 11 have a Control Panel?

Microsoft introduced the Settings menu in Windows 8 but did not remove the Control Panel from the operating system entirely.The majority of its functionality has been consolidated into the Settings menu, which duplicates rather than replaces the functionality of applets in the process.In addition, the Control Panel is still present in Windows 11, indicating that the migration of functionality has been slower than Microsoft perhaps wanted it to be.

Examples include being able to manage your apps from two different locations: theApps & Featuressection of the Settings app, or from theUninstall or change a programsection of the Programs and Features applet accessed through Control Panel.The Apps & Features menu follows the design structure of Windows 11, whereas the Programs and Features applet appears to resemble the one that appeared in Windows 8 & 10.Since we are on the topic, users have been asking what Immersive Control Panel is in Windows 10. When you use it on your computer, it maysave excess temporary data, which can eat up valuable hard drive space.

Although Settings has not entirely replaced Control Panel, Microsoft is encouraging users to switch to this interface instead.

How can I use Control Panel to tweak Windows 11′ system settings?

How can I use Control Panel to tweak Windows 11′ system settings?

When utilizing your computer, Windows Search is an extremely useful feature. It works by using your preferred indexing options to assist you in locating what you are looking for.The indexing process operates in the background, essentially creating a table of contents for all of the files that you have stored on your computer, without interrupting your work.

2. Use Run

The Run command on an operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Unix-like systems is used to open a program or document that has a known path by opening itstraight from the command line.

7 things to know about the Windows Control Panel feature

Control Panel is still the heart of Windows and may be used to handle virtually every aspect of your operating system. It has access to everything, whether it’s keyword or mouse settings, password and user records, or playing with the sound and other hardware tweaks.Even thoughMicrosoft is working to replace it with the Settings app, you may still control your computer from it, and in certain cases, it is the only place to find specific options.Here are seven things you should know about the Windows Control Panel feature before we completely forget that it even existed:

You often open up the Settings application when you want to make a configuration change in Windows 11. On the other hand, the dependable Control Panel continues to play a vital part during numerous configuration operations.

Check out our post on what to do whenControl Panel is not responding in Windows 10/11, if you need further assistance opening it.Alternatively, we have prepared for you a guide onhow to fix the Settings appif it crashes due to file corruption or various other causes.Leave us a comment in the section below and tell us whether this guide proved to be helpful to you. Thanks for reading!

More about the topics:control panel,Windows 11

Loredana Harsana

Windows Software Expert

Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.

Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.

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Loredana Harsana

Windows Software Expert

Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.