Until version 1903, Control Panel is still available in Windows 10 to allow you to install/remove applications, make the system adjustments, and so on. However, it is gradually replaced by Windows Settings. It seems only a matter of time until Microsoft eventually gets rid of Control Panel as nearly all system settings and configurations are now can be accessed via Windows Settings.
There are 14 setting blocks you can open in the Windows Settings window to set system configurations, network settings, customize the look of your Windows 10, manage apps, connect your Windows 10 device with your smartphone, and so on.
Speaking of Windows Settings, there are several ways to open it.
10 ways to open Windows Settings in Windows 10
1. Via the start menu
This is probably the most common way to open the Settings window in Windows 10. You can simply click the start menu on the bottom-left corner of your screen followed by clicking the gear icon. This will open the main window of Windows Settings.
2. Using keyboard shortcut
If you often use keyboard shortcuts to access certain Windows 10 features or to make certain operations then you will love this one. You can simply press the Windows+I keys on your keyboard to open the main window of Windows Settings.
3. Via Command Prompt or PowerShell
If you are working with either Command Prompt or PowerShell and need to open Windows Settings, no need to go anywhere. You can simply type start ms-settings: and hit enter (don’t forget to include the colon). This will also open the main window of Windows Settings. You can find Command Prompt under the Windows System folder on the start menu.
4. Via Run
Run is a handy feature to access Windows 10 settings that are located deep somewhere. However, you need to know the commands to access those settings. There are over 100 commands you can execute via Run.
You can also open the Windows Settings window via Run. To do so, open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows+R keys on the keyboard. Type ms-settings: and hit enter.
5. Via Search
You can also open the Windows Settings window via Search. Simply type settings on the search box and click the gear icon on the search results panel.
6. Via WinX menu
WinX menu is a menu that allows you to access some crucial Windows 10 settings, features, and apps. One of the apps you can access via this menu is Windows Settings. You can press the Windows+X keys on the keyboard to access the WinX menu. Select Settings (or simply press the n key on the keyboard) to open the Windows Settings window.
7. Via Cortana
If you are into the voice control concept then you can use Cortana to open the Windows Settings window. Simply press the Cortana icon on the taskbar and speak “open windows settings”. Cortana will process the command and open the Windows Settings window.
8. Via File Explorer
If you are organizing your files on File Explorer and need to open Windows Settings, you don’t need to go anywhere as you can also open the Windows Settings window from File Explorer. Click This PC on the left panel and click the Computer tab on the menu bar. Click Open Settings to open the Windows Settings window.
9. Via Taskbar
You can also open Windows Settings via Taskbar. However, opening Windows Settings via Taskbar won’t take you to the main window of Windows Settings. Instead, it will take you to the Taskbar settings under the Personalization block.
Right-click an empty space on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
If you want to go to the main window of Windows Settings, you can simply click the Home label on the upper-left corner.
10. Via desktop
Same as method 9 above. Opening Windows Settings via desktop won’t take you to the main window of Windows Settings. You will be taken to either the display settings or personalization block, depending on the option you choose.
Right-click an empty space on the desktop and select either Display settings or Personalize.
