How to Open the Control Panel in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP

There are multiple settings and tools in the Control Panel. If you want to configure your computer’s settings, you need to open the Control Panel to achieve this goal.

What is a Control Panel

The computer Control Panel enables the user to view and adjust the software and hardware features. The control panel consists of many settings, such as display settings, network settings, user account settings and hardware settings. Some control panels require the user to have admin rights or root access.

How to Open the Control Panel

Below are steps to open the Control Panel on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.

Open the Control Panel in Windows 10

To start the Control Panel in Windows 10, you could choose one of the ways below:

  • Type Control Panel into the Start menu and then select Control Panel
  • Right-click the Windows icon to open the Power User Menu and select Control Panel
  • Talk to Cortana and say “Open Control Panel”
open-control-panel-windows-10

Access the Control Panel in Windows 8.1/8

Below are steps to open the Control Panel in Windows 8. Here’s how to.

Step 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search

Step 2. Enter Control Panel in the search box

Step 3. Click Control Panel

open-control-panel-in-windows-8

Note: You could also use the Windows + X shortcut to open up the Power User Menu, and then tap Control Panel.

Start the Control Panel in Windows 7/Vista/XP

It’s simple to open the Control Panel in Windows 7 in just two clicks.

Step 1. Click the Start button

Step 2. Select Control Panel from the Start menu

open-control-panel-in-windows-7




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