Q. Where did Control Panel go in Windows 10?
A. One of the most popular features in Windows 10 is the return of the Start button (the Start button menu is pictured below), but the traditional Control Panel window is no longer readily accessible in the Windows 10 default menu.
The traditional Control Panel option is still available through the Windows 10 Start button, but it is buried deeper in the menu. To access Control Panel, press the Start button, click (or tap) All Apps, and scroll down and select the Windows System folder, and then click (or tap) the Control Panel option. The quickest way to access the Control Panel is to right-click the Start button to launch a more traditional Start button menu, as pictured at right—this menu is referred to as the WinX menu. As you can see, the traditional Control Panel option is available in this menu, as are selections to access Power Options, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Task Manager, and more. In addition to the two methods mentioned above, Control Panel can also be accessed in at least three additional ways in Windows 10, as follows:
Cortana. Type in or talk to the Cortana search tool using the phrase Open Control Panel.
Run window. You can launch Control Panel from the Run window by pressing the Windows Key+R to open the Run window, then typing Control Panel, and pressing OK.
Add to Quick Access or Start button. You can pin a Control Panel shortcut to your Quick Access menu or Start button, as follows: Open a File Explorer window, scroll down to and right-click the Control Panel option, and choose either Pin to Quick access or Pin to Start as pictured below.
About the author
J. Carlton Collins (carlton@asaresearch.com) is a technology consultant, a CPE instructor, and a JofA contributing editor.
Note: Instructions for Microsoft Office in “Technology Q&A” refer to the 2007 through 2016 versions, unless otherwise specified.
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