In-depth customization of Windows 10’s functionality is done in the Settings app. It allows you to upgrade to Windows 10, add new hardware, and modify your wallpaper, keyboard languages, and privacy settings. This Settings program, which has taken the role of the outdated Control Panel that some may be familiar with it from Windows 7, must be opened in order to customize Windows 10 settings. There are other methods for accessing settings, as well as employing some practical shortcut keys. Every one of them is covered in this article so that you can easily access Settings on Windows 10.
1. Utilize a keyboard shortcut to access Settings
We are huge supporters of shortcuts because this is the quickest way to access the settings screen: jointly hit Windows + I. The Settings app launches right away.
2. Accessing Settings in Windows 10 from its Start Button
Another quick method for opening Setting in Windows 10 is by using the Start Button. The Setting button is located on the left after you press or hit the Start icon. It resembles a gear icon.

A different approach is to select the Start icon, go to the programs that begin with just the word S, and afterward select or select Settings.
3. Make use of the Power User Menu
The Power User menu, sometimes referred to simply as the WinX menu, is basically a context menu item for the Start button. Just use the Windows+X key combination to launch it, or right-click on the Window symbol in the underside area of the screen.
- You’ll see the Power User menu. Hit “Settings” there
- A menu will appear.
4. Make use of PowerShell or the Command Prompt
These techniques will appeal to you if you enjoy using the Command Prompt or PowerShell. The following is how you can use the Command Prompt to open your system settings:
- To see the Start command dialog box, click Win + R.
- To launch an elevated Command Prompt, simply type CMD and then click Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- To launch the Settings window, input ms-settings: and hit Enter.
As an option, in contrast, follow these instructions to access the settings using PowerShell:
- To access the Run command dialog box, click Win + R.
- To start an elevated PowerShell window, input PowerShell and then click Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- To access the Settings window, input ms-settings: & hit Enter.
5. Use the Address Bar in File Explorer
Another easy approach to launch the settings software is using File Explorer. Here is how to apply it:
- Launch File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- On the search box of File Explorer, type ms-settings: then hit Enter.
- Using the Search Box on File Explorer to access the Windows Systems Settings
6. Just use the context menu in the taskbar
The context menu just on the taskbar is another indirect way to access your system settings.
- Select Taskbar settings using the context menu when you right-click on such an empty taskbar space or modify it.
- Just using taskbar settings, accessing the Windows System Settings.
- To access all of the system options, tap the Home tab there in the top-left corner of the following window.
7. Run Command Dialog Box
The Run command dialog box is among the simplest ways to locate the programs on any Windows device. What you need to do when you wish to use this method to launch the settings app is as follows:
- To see the Run command dialog box, click Win + R.
- To access the settings window, enter ms-settings: then hit OK or Enter.
8. Use your Control Panel
It takes a little more work to open the Settings app from the Control Panel, but it is still possible. To open your Control Panel, begin simply by entering “Control Panel” in your Pc Search button, next select your “Control Panel” application among the search results that appear.
- Windows Search can be used to look for Control Panel.
- Tap “User Accounts” when you are in Control Panel.
- Once more select “User Accounts” on the following screen.
- After that, select “Make Changes to My Account in PC Settings.”
Users will then be on the profile info screen inside the Settings application. To access your Settings app’s home page, select your “Home” button.
9. Make a shortcut for Settings & add that to the desktop
Users can make a desktop shortcut for Settings if that’s how they want to launch apps. Just on desktops, select or touch New, now select Shortcut from the menu that appears. Enter “ms-settings:” as the location inside the Create Shortcut wizard.
10. How to access Settings on a desktop computer
By using the context menu just on the desktop, you may access the Settings app in a convoluted but quick manner.
- On desktops, right-click or press and hold to bring up the context menu.
- Select Display settings or Personalize.
When you choose a segment from the menu, the Settings app launches there. You may access the Settings app’s home screen in either scenario by clicking or tapping the Home link inside the top-left corner.
Windows 10: The Settings app either doesn’t open at all or flashes before closing immediately
Don’t get upset if the Settings program won’t launch or you can’t open all Windows settings. It will be resolved quickly. You will learn how to solve problems in this article.
Windows 10/11 Settings Didn’t open
When compared to Control Panel, which it replaces on Windows 10 and 11, the new Settings section is more user-friendly & easy to use. This provides you with a simple way to customize and manage numerous essential processes and functions, including Software updates, user ids, privacy, networking, etc.
The Settings menu, for an instance, may not load in Windows 10 or 11 or it may fail or lag once it has opened. Numerous customers have expressed concern about Windows 11/Windows 10 setting stopping working, and this frequently happens as a result of a damaged file system, user account data, an upgrade bug, and so on.
Use additional approaches to fix the Windows 11/Windows 10 Settings not working issue if it continues after attempting this approach in order to allow it to open and function properly.
Option 1: Examine Whether the Settings App is activated
Users might well have disabled Windows Setting using Windows Registry Editor and Group Policy for a variety of situations, which is why Windows 11/Windows 10 Settings won’t open. Having a checkup seems to be a smart idea.
Editor of Registry
Tip: we suggest you make a backup of your registry files as you proceed.
- Enter regedit.exe inside your search box then choose that returned result to start Registry Editor.
- Navigate to Policies Explorer under HKEY CURRENT USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion.
- Right-click on Policies and select New > key to creating Explorer if it doesn’t already present.
- Right-click the empty space to the right, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, then give its value the name NoControlPanel.
- Make sure that the key has a value of 0 by clicking it twice (enable Settings).
Group Policy
- To launch Local Group Policy Editor, enter “gpedit.msc” further into the search box & click its given result.
- Go to Control Panel > Administrative Templates > User Configuration.
- Inside the top right, double-click Prohibit access to Control Panel or PC Settings, then switch this option to Disabled.
- Select OK & then Apply.
Option 2: Run System File Checker
Running an SFC scan may also be beneficial when Windows 10 or 11 cannot launch Settings due to totally corrupt files. SFC, or System File Checker, is basically a simple tool that comes only with Windows operating systems. It has the ability to check for as well as fix system file corruptions inside Windows.
so here’s what you should do:
- Open Command Prompt under administrator mode by using Search.
- Enter SFC /scannow into the box. Be patient; it will take a little while.
Option 3: Create a New Windows User
Users cannot establish a new account using the Settings app on Windows 11 or Windows 10 due to its malfunction. Using Command Prompt if you’re running On windows 10/11 Pro.
- Open a new window for using Command Prompt this as administrator.
- Execute the command net user newusername newpassword/add and then hit Enter. Users then receive a notification stating that the command was successful.
- Type this line net localgroup administrators newusername /add now to add the newest user as such an administrator.
- Log out from the present account or sign up for the new one.
Option 4: Reinstall your Settings App once again
When Windows 11/Windows 10 Settings won’t open, then how would you re-install this app?
Follow the guidelines provided here:
- Type cmd into the search bar, right-click the resulting link, and select Run as Administrator to open Command Prompt using administrative rights.
- Enter after pasting this text box into your CMD window.
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml” | Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode
Option 5: Install Windows 10/11 once more
The final alternative is really to reinstall Windows 10 when none of these previously stated fixes work and you are still unable to access Settings.
Conclusion
You have it right now. You may use the Settings app in a variety of ways, so you nearly always have quick access to it. On Windows 10, there are numerous ways to launch every software, such as both Command Prompt and Control Panel, and therefore Settings app isn’t an exception. Find your preferred method for opening various apps!
FAQs
Jointly click these same Windows and I keys. To launch the, click the Windows + R keys simultaneously. Enter ms-settings: and click the OK button.
There are several ways to open the Settings app on Windows 10. Using Windows 10, open the Settings app from the Start menu. Launch the Start menu. From Such a PC, launch the Settings app. In Windows 10, there is an Open Settings icon next to the folder “This PC” just on Ribbon. Directly access numerous Settings pages.