10 ways to open Settings in Windows 10

TUTORIAL by Codrut Neagu published on 11/07/2017

Windows 10 is used on hundreds of millions of computers and devices.

To change its settings, you need to use the Settings app, which replaces
the old Control Panel. If you need to familiarize yourself with it and learn
all the methods for opening Settings, in Windows 10, read this tutorial
and see all the shortcuts we found:

For optimal navigation, this site uses cookies. By continuing your browsing you agree with our use of cookies. More info I agree

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 NOTE: The screenshots used in this article are from Windows 10 with
Fall Creators Update. If you do not know which version of Windows 10
you have installed, you should read this guide: What version, edition,
and type of Windows 10 do I have installed?.

What is the Settings app in Windows 10?

First, a quick explanation about the Settings app from Windows 10: this
app is the modern replacement of the old Control Panel. It does almost
the same things, but it was created so that it is easy to use with the
mouse and keyboard, as well as with touch input, on tablets and 2-in-1
devices.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Whether you like it or not, let’s see all the ways for starting it:

1. Use the Settings shortcut from the Start

Menu
Using the Start Menu is one of the fastest ways to open Settings in
Windows 10. Click or tap the Start button and then the Settings shortcut,
on the left. It looks like a cogwheel.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 2. Use Windows + I keys on the keyboard
We are big fans of keyboard shortcuts, and this method is the fastest of
all shared in this tutorial: press the Windows + I keys together and the
Settings app opens instantly.

3. Use the WinX power user’s menu to open

Settings
In the latest versions of Windows 10, you can launch the Settings app
from the WinX menu. As the name implies, you press Windows + X on
your keyboard, and the WinX menu is shown. To open it, you can also
use the mouse and right-click the Start button. In the menu that is
shown, click or tap Settings.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 4. Use Command Prompt or PowerShell to
open Settings
If you love command-line environments, then you will probably like this
method: it involves Command Prompt or PowerShell, depending on
what you prefer. Open the Command Prompt (cmd.exe), type “start ms-
settings:” without the quotation marks and press Enter.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Alternatively, you can open PowerShell, type the same command and
press Enter.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Once you press Enter on your keyboard, Windows 10 immediately
launches the Settings app.

5. Use the Run window to open Settings

Another similar method is to use the Run window. To open it, press
Windows + R on your keyboard, type the command “ms-settings:”
without the quotation marks and click OK or press Enter.

The Settings app is opened instantly.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Ad

6. Use search (or Cortana) to open Settings

On the Windows 10 taskbar, use the search box and, inside it, write
“settings.” When the search results are loaded, press Enter or click/tap
the Settings result.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Alternatively, you can talk to Cortana and say: “Open PC Settings.”

7. Use the Action Center to open Settings

Windows 10 includes a feature called Action Center, a place where you
see notifications about the things happening on your device, as well as
a section with quick actions that you can take. Open the Action Center
with a click or tap on its icon from the Notification Area, at the right end
of the taskbar. On the bottom of the Action Center, you see several
actions and shortcuts. Click or tap on All settings and the Settings app is
opened.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 8. Open Settings from File Explorer
File Explorer also gives us a fast way to open the Settings app. Open
File Explorer and go to This PC. Expand the Computer tab from the
ribbon menu on top, and then click or tap Open Settings.

That will do the trick.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 9. Pin the Settings app to the Windows 10 Start
Menu or the taskbar
If you use the Settings app a lot, it might be a good idea to pin its
shortcut to the Windows 10 taskbar or the Start Menu. To do that, open
the Start Menu and locate the Settings shortcut. Then, right-click or tap
and hold its icon. A menu is opened. Here, select “Pin to Start” or “More
-> Pin to taskbar,” depending on where you want the Settings shortcut
placed.

Once you do one of these actions, you can launch the Settings app
using a very visible shortcut, either from the Start Menu, or the taskbar.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 10. Open Settings from the Control Panel
The last method we found is very cumbersome, but we decided to share
it anyway. Open Control Panel and go to “User Accounts -> User
Accounts.” Then, click or tap on “Make changes to my account in PC
Settings.” This takes you to the “Your info” section from Settings.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Conclusion
These are all the methods we know for launching the Settings app in
Windows 10. However, there might be more ways to do that, so if you
know of others, do not hesitate to share them in the comments section
below. We promise to update the article and include additional methods.

Discover more: Productivity, Tutorials, Ease of Access,

System and Security, Windows

Add new comment View comments

Ad

RELATED ARTICLES
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 5 Things we love about the new Settings app in Windows 10

How to set Windows 10 to download updates from the local network or the
internet

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 How to quickly find any setting in the Settings app from Windows 10

Enable or disable Windows Defender's cloud and real-time protection

SEARCH CONTENT

Enter search terms

SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS
Provide an email address in order to subscribe to our newsletter. The email address is
not made public.

email address Subscribe

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Other subscription options

POPULAR ARTICLES
How to uninstall Internet Explorer from Windows (all versions)
TUTORIAL by Ciprian Adrian Rusen published on 02/16/2018
With each new version of Internet Explorer (IE) and each new version of
Windows, the procedure for removing this web browser has changed. For
example, when Internet Explorer 9 was launched, it was distributed as an
update for Windows, and you could remove it from the list of installed updates.…
ff

How to change or remove the display language in Android, in four

steps
TUTORIAL by Ciprian Adrian Rusen published on 02/16/2018
Many users purchase an Android smartphone or tablet that comes with the
user interface in English, and they want to have it translated into their language,
like Spanish, French, Chinese, German and so on. Luckily, most Android
smartphones and tablets offer this feature straight from the box, and all it takes
…

How to configure the mouse in Windows 10

TUTORIAL by Codrut Neagu published on 02/15/2018
If you use a laptop or a desktop PC, there is a high chance that you rely on your
mouse or on your touchpad to use it. Working with Windows implies the use of
one of these devices. You can also connect a Bluetooth mouse to your
Windows tablet if that makes it easier for you to work on it. Therefore, if you …
fi

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Reviewing Linksys EA7500 v2 AC1900: Excellent hardware, so and
so firmware!
REVIEW by Ciprian Adrian Rusen published on 02/07/2018
We have not reviewed any Linksys wireless routers for some time, and when
we got the chance to test the Linksys EA7500 v2 AC1900, we quickly accepted.
It is a mid-range wireless AC1900 router with promising specifications that
claims to provide excellent WiFi for HD and 4K video streaming. If you want to…
f f

When buying a gaming laptop or mini PC, get one with a better
video card, not an Intel Core i7 processor
MISC by Ciprian Adrian Rusen published on 02/05/2018
Gaming laptops come in a variety of configurations. People who want the best
performance, tend to prioritize the processor over other hardware components,
like the video card or the storage space. Many gamers prefer a laptop with an
Intel Core i7 processors instead of an Intel Core i5. Many years ago, this choice…

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS
Provide an email address in order to subscribe to our newsletter. The email
address is not made public.

email address Subscribe

Other subscription options

CATEGORIES OTHER LINKS

Productivity Search

Entertainment Subscription options

Security About us

Smartphone Contact

Smarthome Terms and conditions

Health

OUR BOOKS

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD