Basic To Advanced Methods To Open Settings In Windows 11

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learn different methods to open Settings in Windows 11 OS and start configuring your system like a professional.

“Windows Settings App” is the main hub of the Windows operating system to control and manage the system’s looks and works. For example, you can configure or personalize the system layout, interface and update the operating system on the latest version. It’s almost the same as “Settings App” on Android OS.

Just because, it’s an essential section of Windows OS, several methods are available to open Settings in Windows 11. If you try to check, several methods to open the Settings app in W11 are the same as in Windows 10 and older versions.

With the latest Windows 11, Microsoft added many new and exclusive features and tweaks to manage your system using Settings app.

Let’s see how to open Windows 11 new settings and how to use this app to customize your computer configurations.

Different Methods To Open Settings In Windows 11 OS

Microsoft redesigned and introduced a new user interface for Windows 11 OS which is more organized and easy to access in comparison to Windows 10.  After knowing how to access Settings on Windows, you can adjust display settings, manage accounts and optimize your system performance.

Method 01 How To Open Settings With Keyboard Shortcut

Keyboard shortcuts are a quick way to perform any task on Windows OS-based systems. If you want, you can launch the Windows Settings app using  Shortcut key. You can consider this method as the easiest method to access Settings app in Windows 11 PC.

To open Settings on Windows 11 using a keyboard shortcut:

Press the “Windows Logo Key + I” at the same time and the settings app should launch automatically.

keyboard shortcut to open settings app on w11

Method 02 How To Open Settings App Using WinX Menu

WinX menu also known as Power user menu to access useful tools and apps found within the operating system.

To access important Windows functions quickly, press the “Windows Logo Key + X” and it will show a complete list of essential apps, tools and functions including the “Settings” app.

To open Settings application using Power menu or WinX menu:

  1. Press the “Windows Logo Key + X” to open the WinX Menu or Power User Menu.
  2. Next, find the desired function shortcut or app and click to open. In our case, click the “Settings” and it will launch on your W11 quickly.
Apps and Functions included in WinX Menu

  • Apps and Features
  • Mobility Center
  • Power Options
  • Event Viewer
  • System
  • Device Manage
  • Network Connections
  • Disk Management
  • Windows Terminal
  • Windows Terminal (Admin)
  • Settings
  • File Explorer
  • Search
  • Run
  • Shut Down or Sign Out
  • Desktop

 

launch power menu on W11

Method 03 Access Windows 11 Settings From Start Menu Shortcut

Windows 11 OS has launched with a newly designed user interface. In this new layout, Win 11 users can access the “Settings” app from its Start Menu.

  1. Open the “Start Menu” by clicking the “Start” button.
  2. Check the “Pinned” section (below the search bar) and click the “Settings” app icon or shortcut.

Access Windows 11 Settings From Start Menu Shortcut

Method 04 How To Open Settings On W11 From Start menu All App List

You can easily find the settings app icon in the pinned area. In case, it’s not available then access it from the “All Apps” section.

  1. Open the “Start Menu” by clicking the “Start” button.
  2. Once you are in the “Start Menu”, click to expand “All App” to display the list of the available apps.

Open Settings On W11 From Start menu All App List

  1. Scroll down the list of installed applications and select “Settings” to open it on your PC.

open windows settings app

Method 05 Add The Settings Folder Shortcut In The Windows 11 Start Menu

If you want, you can personalize the Start Menu to add additional folder shortcuts next to the power button.

Visit the link and learn what are the ways to insert folder shortcut icons in the start menu.

 

create windows settings app shortcut in W11

Method 06 Search And Open Windows 11 Settings Application

All Windows OS comes with a search facility to find system apps, tools and functions. To access Windows Settings App in W11,

  1. Open the “Start Menu” on your Windows 11 Laptop or PC.
  2. In the “Start Menu” section, click the “Magnifying glass icon” on the taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut “Windows + S” to search items.
  3. Next, type the “Settings” in the “Type here to search” field at the top area.
  4. Now you will see the “Settings” app in the search result. Click the “Open” button to launch the Settings app in your W11 computer.

Method 07 Pin The Settings App In the Windows Taskbar and Access It Quickly

This is not a default configuration for Windows 11 OS. You have to add or Pin the Settings app in the Windows 11 taskbar.

To PIN Settings Application In The Task Bar:

  1. Find the “Settings” app by using the above method.
  2. Right-click the “Settings” app and select the “Pin to Taskbar” option. Alternatively, click the “Pin to Taskbar” option from the right pane.

Pin The Settings App In the Windows Taskbar and Access It Quickly

  1. Done!!! The Settings app icon will be added to the Windows 11 taskbar section for quick access.

Method 08 Open Windows 11 Settings Using Action Center

Windows Action Center contains some important settings and functions for quick actions. Users can use this action center to manage “Bluetooth”, “Wi-Fi” and “Night Light”, etc.

Also, users can enter into the “Settings” app directly by clicking the “Settings” icon.

  1. Press the “Windows Logo Key + A” to launch “Windows Action Center” to access its functions.
  2. Check and click the “Settings” icon or “Gear Icon” in the bottom right corner of the window.

windows 11 action center

  1. The above action will launch the Settings application section on your system.

Method 09 How To Open Settings Using Run Tool

Just because the Windows Settings application contains several useful functions and tools to manage system operations, you can find several ways to access Win 11 Settings app. Run tool is another built-in tool that can help you open apps and folders on a Windows PC.

To use this run tool in Windows OS, you should know the correct “Run tool command” of the app you want to open.

Run Tool Command To Open Settings App On Windows OS:

  1. Press the “Windows logo key + R” to launch the Run dialog box.
  2. In the search field, type “ms-settings:” and hit the “OK” or enter” key.

Run Tool Command To Open Settings App On Windows OS

  1. The above command will open the W11 Settings app on your PC.

Method 10 Open Settings On Windows 11 Using Command Prompt

Windows 11 OS users can also take the help of a command line tool to run the Settings application. Command prompt and PowerShell are two most popular command line tools for Windows OS.

If you know the correct command to open the settings app then it can launch the Settings app on your PC.

  1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell window as administrative on your PC. (Admin authority is a must for successful execution)
  2. Type of pate the following command to open the settings app in W11.
start ms-settings:

Open Settings On Windows 11 Using Command Prompt

  1. Hit enter key from the keyboard to execute the command.
  2. Done!!

Windows Settings opening command is the same for both the “PowerShell” and “Command Prompt” command lines.

Method 11 How To launch Settings On W11 Using File Explorer

Windows File Explorer also provides a straightforward way to open “Settings App” on W11 OS-based devices.

  1. Open the “File Explorer” on your PC.
  2. Type “ms-settings:” in the address bar and press enter key from your keyboard.

How To launch Settings On W11 Using File Explorer

  1. Now the Settings app window will appear on your screen and you can start using it according to your needs.

Which Method is Best To Access Windows 11 Settings App?

The Settings app is an essential function of Windows Operating System to customize and manage your system. So, it’s always good to know and prefer the quickest method to open system settings section. Several methods are available to access the Windows Settings app, but the shortcut key will be an easy and effective way to use it on your Windows PC or laptop.

CONCLUSION

Accessing the Settings application in Windows 11 OS is not a big task, if you know how to do that? Windows OS offers several ways to open and access its functions to their users. So, read the complete guide, choose the best working method for you and start customization and performance-improving tweaks. For example, access the Windows Settings app section and enable device encryption to encrypt entire volumes.

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