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How to Open Control Panel in Windows 11

It's still there, just a little harder to find

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 6, 2022 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Click the search icon on the taskbar, type Control Panel, and click Control Panel in the results.You can also access the Control Panel by pressing Windows Key + R > type CMD > enter > type control > enter or bypass the Command Prompt and type control into the Run box.Functionality of most Control Panel applets has been duplicated in Windows Settings menu to get there, click the Windows icon on taskbar > Gear icon. This article explains how to open the Control Panel in Windows 11, including instructions for accessing the Control Panel with the keyboard.

Where Is the Windows 11 Control Panel

The Windows Control Panel is a collection of applets, or small programs, used to configure various aspects of the Windows operating system. It’s been around since Windows 1.0, but it’s a little more difficult to find than it used to be. If you’re having trouble finding the Windows 11 Control Panel, or wondering if Windows 11 even has one, it’s because a lot of the Control Panel functionality has been moved to the newer Settings menu. The Control Panel is still there, but it isn’t featured prominently, and you have to access it through the Windows 11 search function or the Command Prompt. The Settings menu is featured more prominently and is easier to access.

How Do I Open the Windows 11 Control Panel Screen

There are two ways to open the Windows 11 Control Panel screen. You can use the revised search functionality present in Windows 11, or you can use the Command Prompt. Here’s how to open the Windows 11 Control Panel using the search function: Click the Search icon (magnifying glass) on the taskbar. Click the search field, and type Control Panel. Click Control Panel in the search results. Microsoft wants people to start using Settings, so the Settings app will also appear in this search. The Control Panel screen will open.

How Do I Open the Control Panel in Windows 11 With a Keyboard

In addition to the search function, you can also open the Control Panel with your keyboard. This process uses the Command Prompt. If you’re already familiar with opening the Control Panel in this manner in Windows 10, it works the exact same way here. Here’s how to open the Control Panel in Windows 11 with a keyboard: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box. Type CMD and press enter. Type control and press enter. The Control Panel will open. You can also open individual Control Panel applets through the command center by typing the appropriate Control Panel command line command. For example, type control appwiz.cpl into the Command Prompt, and press enter. The Uninstall or Change a Program applet will open, saving you the step of opening the Control Panel first.

Why Is the Control Panel Hard to Find in Windows 11

Microsoft introduced the Settings menu in Windows 8, but they didn’t remove the Control Panel. Most of the Control Panel functionality has been moved into the Settings menu, which duplicates the functionality of Control Panel applets instead of replacing them. The process of migrating functionality has been slow, and the Control Panel is still present in Windows 11. As an example, you can manage your Windows 11 programs, or apps, in two locations: the Apps & Features section of the Settings app, or the Uninstall or Change a Program section of the Programs and Features applet accessed through the Control Panel. The Apps & Features menu follows the Windows 11 design structure, while the Programs and Features applet looks a lot like it did in Windows 8 and Windows 10. While Settings hasn’t completely replaced the Control Panel, Microsoft wants users to migrate to using Settings. The Control Panel may be replaced eventually, but Windows 11 only makes it difficult to find instead of completely replacing it. FAQ How do I open the Device Manager in Windows 11? Right-click on Windows Start and select Device Manager. From Windows Device Manager, you can update device drivers and troubleshoot your hardware. How do I add programs to startup in Windows 11? Go to Windows Start > Settings > Apps > Startup. Choose the apps you want to launch when Windows 11 boots. How do I get the classic Start Menu back in Windows 11? Search for regedit to open Windows Registry Editor, then add the value Start_ShowClassicMode to a key within HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Change the value data to 1, and then reboot your PC to get back the classic Windows Start menu. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Quick Settings in Windows 11 How to Open Command Prompt (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc.) How to Find a Windows 11 Product Key Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell on the Win+X Menu What Is the Control Panel in Windows? How to Open Disk Management From Command Prompt How to Access Device Manager From the Command Prompt How to Open File Explorer in Windows 11 What Version of Windows Do I Have? How to Enable or Disable the Administrator Account in Windows How to Open an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows How to Open Control Panel (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP) How to Change Directories in CMD (Command Prompt) How to Change DNS Servers in Windows What Is a Command for Computers? How to Open Device Manager (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7...) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies