How to Open the Settings app in Windows 10?

Microsoft had introduced PC Settings first in Windows 8, and a powerful Settings is now available in the Windows 10 operating system. The settings app is now easier to use in Windows 10. Although Microsoft has introduced the Settings app, the classic Control Panel is still part of Windows 10, and you can still find some settings in the Control Panel. While a few settings are available on the modern Settings app only. Microsoft may slowly shift the Control Panel to the Settings app so that the classic Control Panel may be phased out.

Settings app allows several customizations in Windows 10. One can install devices, change the keyboard language, desktop wallpaper, update Windows, configure privacy settings, and a lot more. Using this, you can personalize the Start menu or Start screen, lock screen, and many other options. You can even pin your favorite settings through the Settings app that you need to access the Start menu or screen very often.

There are many ways to open the Settings app in Windows 10, including a keyboard shortcut. This post will guide you on different ways to open the Settings app in Windows 10. These are the following:-

Using a keyboard shortcut
Via Start Menu
From Command Prompt (CMD)

From PowerShell
Using WinX power menu
Accessing Windows 10 Search

Through the Run dialog box
By creating a Settings shortcut
From File Explorer

Using the Action Center
By Pinning to the Windows 10 Start Menu or Taskbar
From desktop

From Windows taskbar

Page Contents

Open the Settings app in Windows 10

Open Settings app using a keyboard shortcut

Press and hold the Windows logo key and then press the I key to open the Settings app quickly.

Launch Settings app using Start Menu

Click the Start button and select the Settings icon on the left. The Setting window will appear on your computer.

Access Settings from Command Prompt (CMD)

If you love to use Command Prompt (CMD), you can execute the command start ms-settings: to open the Settings app.

To open the Command Prompt, click the Start menu on Windows 10 and type “command prompt.” Click on the Command Prompt to open it from the available results.

Once the Command Prompt window opens, type the command start ms-settings: and press Enter from the keyboard to open the Settings app.

Launch Settings app using Windows PowerShell

If you love to use PowerShell, you can execute the command start ms-settings: to open the Settings app.

To open the PowerShell, click the Start menu on Windows 10 and type “PowerShell.” Click on Windows PowerShell to open the Settings from the available results.

Once the Windows PowerShell window opens, type “start ms-settings:” and press Enter from the keyboard to open the Settings app.

Open Settings from the WinX menu

First, open the WinX menu. For that, press Windows + X from the keyboard or perform a right-click on the Start button. In the menu that appears, click Settings.

Open Windows 10 Settings using Search

Click on the Start button and type “settings.” From the available search results, click the Settings.

Access Windows 10 Settings using the Run dialog box

To open the Settings app from the Run dialog, press Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open the Run box. Type the command ms-settings: and click OK or press Enter from the keyboard to open the Settings app.

Open Windows 10 Settings by creating a Settings shortcut

If you prefer to use the desktop shortcut to start apps, then you should create one shortcut for the Settings app. For that, right-click on the Windows 10 Desktop’s free space, select New, and then select Shortcut.

In the Create Shortcut wizard that opens, type ms-settings: in the text box labeled with “Type the location of the item.”

Click the Next button.

In the text field labeled with “Type a name for this shortcut,” type Settings app.

Click the Finish button to see a shortcut with the name of the Settings app.

Double-click on the shortcut Settings app will open the Settings window.

Open Windows 10 Settings from File Explorer

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows logo + E keys from the keyboard and then click on This PC. Expand the Computer tab from the ribbon on top, and then click Open Settings.

Open Windows 10 Settings using the Action Center

Click on the Action Center icon at the right end of the taskbar or by pressing Windows + A shortcut key open the Action Center. At the bottom of the Action Center, clickAll settings to open the Settings app.

Pin the Settings app to the Windows 10 Start Menu or the taskbar

To pin the Settings app to the Start Menu, right-click or press and hold the Settings icon. A menu will open. Select “Pin to Start.”

To pin the Settings app to Windows 10 Taskbar, right-click or press and hold the Settings icon. A menu will open. Select More > Pin to taskbar.

Open Settings from the desktop

To open the Settings app, right-click or tap and hold on the desktop, choose Display settings or Personalize from the context menu.

The Settings app will open in the section you have chosen in the menu (Display settings or Personalize). From either window, click the Home link in the top-left corner to see the Settings app’s starting screen.

Open Windows 10 Settings from the taskbar

Right-click on the empty space of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”

The taskbar section of the Settings app opens. Click or tap Home in the top-left corner to see the homepage of the Settings window.

That’s all.

Settings app, Windows 10