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Learn every way to find settings you're looking for in Windows 10
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- Start Menu |
- Keyboard Shortcut |
- Windows Search |
- Power User Menu |
- Action Center |
- MS Copilot |
- File Explorer |
- Command Prompt |
- PowerShell |
- Run Menu |
- Control Panel |
- Desktop Menu |
- Task Manager |
- Specific Settings |
- Taskbar |
- Video |
- Q&A |
- Tips
As Microsoft is trying to move away from the Control Panel, the Windows 10 settings are slowly being moved into the modern Settings app. If you're wondering all the ways the Settings app can be opened, we can help! This wikiHow article will teach you every way to open the Settings app on a Windows 10 PC.
Open Windows 10 Settings: The Easiest Ways
- Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon.
- Press Windows key + i at the same time.
- Right-click the Start menu and select Settings .
- Type "start ms-settings:" into Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the run dialog.
Steps
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Click the Microsoft Copilot button. If you have Microsoft Copilot, the latest AI feature from Microsoft, for Windows 10, you can use it to open the Settings app. Look for a blue and pink icon to the right of the clock.
- If you don't see this icon, Copilot may not be available for your device. [1] X Research source
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Type open windows settings and press ↵ Enter . Copilot will reply, asking if you want to open Settings.
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Click Yes . The Settings app will launch.
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Open File Explorer. A fast way to do this is to right-click the Start menu and select File Explorer .
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Select This PC in the left pane.
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Click the Computer tab at the top and select Open Settings . It's the blue and white gear icon in the toolbar at the top of File Explorer.
- Alternatively, select the local drive Windows is installed on, navigate to "Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel", and then open "SystemSettings" or "SystemSettings.exe".
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Open Command Prompt. To do this, type cmd into the Windows Search bar, then click Command Prompt .
- If you don't see the search bar in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, click the circle or magnifying glass icon first.
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Type start ms-settings: . Type it exactly as written at the prompt.
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Press ↵ Enter . This opens the Settings app.
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Open PowerShell. Type powershell into the Windows search bar and press ↵ Enter to run PowerShell .
- If you don't see the search bar in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, click the circle or magnifying glass icon first.
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Type start ms-settings: .
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Press ↵ Enter . You will now see the Windows Settings app.
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Press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc . This quick keyboard shortcut launches Task Manager, another place from which you can launch the Settings app in Windows 10.
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Click the File menu and select Run new task . The "Create new task" window will appear.
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Type start ms-settings: and click OK . The Windows Settings app will now open.
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Click the Start menu and hover your cursor over the Settings app. If you want to make the Settings app super easy to find in the future, you can pin it to your taskbar.
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Right-click the Settings app. A list of options will appear.
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Click Pin to taskbar . You can now click the Settings icon in the taskbar to open Windows Settings.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs the Settings app a universal app or desktop app/program?Community AnswerThe Windows 10 Settings app is a universal app. It is available on multiple different Windows 10 platforms.
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Tips
- If Windows Settings won't open, restart your computer. If that doesn't help, there may be file system corruption. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, type sfc /scannow , and press Enter to scan for and repair errors. [2] X Research sourceThanks
- If the Settings app still won't open, you can reinstall it using PowerShell. Type powershell into the search bar, right-click Windows PowerShell , and select Run as administrator . Then, type the following command and press Enter :
- Get-AppXPackage | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
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