How to Open Windows Settings App: A Comprehensive Guide

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How to Open Windows Settings

If you thought that there were only a couple of ways to open the Settings app in Windows 10 or 11, such by clicking on the desktop shortcut or from the pinned icons in Start or on the taskbar, then you are utterly wrong.

In fact, you can open this useful app in a lot of different ways, which even include some keyboard shortcuts. In this article, you will find all those ways, along with the steps to follow, described clearly for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • You can open the Windows Settings app from the Start Menu, which is the most common way followed by the users.
  • Using keyboard shortcuts such as the Windows and I keys will also allow quick access to Settings.
  • You may also use the Command Prompt or PowerShell to open the Settings app.
  • For quick access to Settings, you can use the Windows and X keys instead of the traditional approach through Windows Search.
  • You may even ask Cortana to open Settings for you, either through a voice command, if the microphone is activated, or simply by typing it.

Ways to Open Windows Settings App

How to Open Windows Settings

There are some easy ways to open Windows Settings, such as using a voice command, the Command Prompt or PowerShell, File Explorer, and the Task Manager.

You can also open Settings in other ways, such as:

  • Using keyboard shortcuts
  • From the Start menu
  • From Run
  • Via the taskbar
  • Through Windows search
  • Using a desktop shortcut
  • From the desktop context menu
  • From the Action Center
  • From the Control Panel

Here are all of the methods and steps explained for you.

Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Using keyboard shortcuts is perhaps the easiest way to open Settings in Windows.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Look for the Windows and I keys on your keyboard.
  • Press them both at the same time.

Windows and I keys

This will open the Settings app instantly.

Method 2: From the WinX Menu

Almost similarly, you can also access the WinX menu from your keyboard to open Settings directly and quickly.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Press the Windows and X keys on your keyboard together.
  • Select and click on Settings from the pop-up window.
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click on Settings

Method 3: Via the Start Menu

Ideally, you can use the Start menu in two different ways to access the Settings app.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • First, go to the Start menu button.
  • Click on it.
  • Click on the cogwheel or gear icon.

Click on the cogwheel or gear icon

Alternatively, you can also open the Windows Settings app in the following way:

  • Go to the Start menu.
  • Click on it.
  • Scroll down to find all the apps displayed under the letter S in the window.
  • Click on Settings.

under the letter S in the window

Method 4: Using the Run Command

The Run command in Windows can also open the Settings app for you.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard together to open the Run box.
  • Type ms-settings: in the box.
  • Press Enter on your keyboard or click on the OK button in the box.

ms-settings:

Method 5: Use the Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you are fond of using the Command Prompt, you can open Settings via CMD as well.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Open the Run dialog box as described above.
  • This time, type cmd in it.
  • Press Enter or click on the OK button to launch the Command Prompt.
  • Type start ms-settings:
  • Press Enter on your keyboard.

start ms-settings:

Alternatively, if you want to use PowerShell, open the regular or the admin version by right-clicking on the Start menu and clicking on any of the Windows PowerShell options in the window.

Windows PowerShell

When the window opens, type the same command start ms-settings: as above and press Enter to open Settings.

Method 6: Using the Windows Search Function

You can also use Windows Search to open the Settings app.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Go to the search box on the taskbar next to the Start menu.
  • Type settings in the box.
  • Hit Enter or click on the best match.

Type settings in the box

Method 7: Ask Cortana

If Cortana is enabled on your PC and you have a microphone that is enabled and is showing in the box, you can use voice command and ask Cortana to open Settings for you.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Open Cortana from the Start menu or from the taskbar.

Open Cortana from the Start menu

  • Click on the small Microphone icon at the bottom.
  • Say Open Settings.

Cortana will confirm the command and display a message saying, “I’ll open Settings,” everything as shown in the image below.

I'll open Settings

If you do not have a microphone activated, you will then have to type ‘open settings’ in the box.

Method 8: From the File Explorer

Using the File Explorer is also another good and easy way to open the Settings app on Windows.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on your taskbar.
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folder icon

(You may also type file explorer in the search box and hit enter.)

  • Go to This PC on the left side of the window.
  • Click on the Computer tab at the top.
  • Click on Open Settings.

Click on the Computer tab at the top

Method 9: Open from the Action Center

The Action Center feature included in Windows will also allow you to open the Settings app from there.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Click on the notification area at the far-right side of the taskbar to open the Action Center.

(You may also press the Windows and A keys on your keyboard together for the same.)

  • Click on the All settings tab with the gear icon.

Click on the All settings

Method 10: Via the Task Manager

The Task Manager in Windows allows a user to perform several different tasks, which include opening apps like Settings.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

(Make sure that it does not open in a compact view. If it does, click on the More details button in the bottom-left corner of the window. It should be replaced by Fewer details, as shown in the image below.)

  • Click on the File menu located at the top.
  • Click on Run new task.

Run new task

  • When the Create new task window appears, type ms-settings: in the box next to Open.
  • Finally, click on the OK button.

Create new task

Method 11: From the Desktop Context Menu

You can even access the Settings app from the context menu on the desktop. Typically, there are two different ways to accomplish that.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • First, right-click on a blank area on the desktop.
  • Click on Display settings from the options shown in the drop-down context menu.

Display settings

This will launch the Home page of Settings.

Alternatively, you may also click on the Personalize option located just under Display settings in the context menu, as you can see in the image above.

This will, however, take you to the specific Personalization page, as shown in the image below.

Personalization

To go to the main page, click on Home in the left-hand upper corner of the window, marked by the red arrow in the image above.

Method 12: From the Taskbar

You can use the taskbar for a variety of functions, and that also includes opening the Settings app. Ideally, there are two ways in which you can go ahead with this process.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Click on the Network or Wi-Fi icon on the right-hand side of the taskbar.

(If you right-click on it, click on Open Network & Internet settings.)

Open Network & Internet settings

(If you left-click on it, click on Network and Internet settings.)

click on Network and Internet settings

Then click on the Home button in the left corner of the Network & Internet window to go to the Settings page, as you did in the Personalization window before.

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Another, almost similar, way to open Settings from the taskbar is to:

  • Right-click anywhere on a blank space on the taskbar.
  • Click on Taskbar settings with the gear icon.

Taskbar settings

(This will open the Taskbar section of the Settings app.)

  • Click on Home to go to the main Settings page.

Click on Home to go to the main Settings page

You can follow the same process by right-clicking on other different icons located in this specific area of the taskbar, such as the sound (speaker) icon, the date and time, the power or battery icon if available, and even from the language settings.

Method 13: Use the Control Panel

There are different sections in the Control Panel from where you can access the Windows Settings app as well.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

  • Open the Control Panel by typing it in the search box beside the Start menu and hitting Enter.
  • Click on the User Accounts applet.

User Accounts

  • In the new window, again click on User Accounts.

click on User Accounts

  • Click on Make changes to my account in PC Settings in the window that follows.

Make changes to my account in PC Settings

(This will take you to the Your info section in Settings.)

  • Again, click on the Home button to go to the main Settings page as you did before with Personalization and Taskbar windows.

You may also click on Add a new user in PC settings for the same, if you are using Windows 11.

There are also several other sections in the Control Panel from where you can access the Settings app, indirectly.

All you need to do is first go to each of these sections and then click on the Home button on the top left corner of each page to go to the main Settings page.

Follow the steps mentioned below to access these different sections in the Control Panel window after opening it:

  • System and Security > System
  • System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Recovery > If you’re having problems with your PC, go to Settings and try resetting it.
  • Appearance and Personalization > Taskbar and Navigation.
  • Appearance and Personalization > Turn High contrast on or off under Ease of Access Center category.
  • User Accounts > User Accounts > Change account type > Add a new user in PC settings.
  • User Accounts > User Accounts > Remove user accounts > Add a new user in PC settings.

Conclusion

So, if you thought that you could only access the Windows Settings app from the Start menu, now you know after reading this article how wrong you were.

With so many different ways of opening this app known to you, now nothing could possibly stop you from accessing the app and making adjustments to your PC.

About Taylor

AvatarTaylor S. Irwin is a freelance technology writer with in-depth knowledge about computers. She has an understanding of hardware and technology gained through over 10 years of experience.

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