The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

Slowly but surely, Microsoft is pushing more and more options out of the Control Panel and into a new menu simply called Settings. This new Settings menu debuted with Windows 8 and mainly focused on touchscreen-related options, but starting with Windows 10, you'll find quite a few general options residing here as well.

Obviously, having two menus that are so similar at first glance might lead to a bit of confusion. But there is some logic behind Microsoft's decision to stick with the two-menu format for the time being, so once you learn the ground rules, you should be able to navigate these two menus with ease.

Differences Between Control Panel & Settings Menu

The first thing you should know about these two menus is that Settings is now the go-to tool for most of the common Windows personalization options, while Control Panel is generally reserved for more complex actions and settings.

Think of it this way: If you need to adjust the way your computer looks, feels, or behaves from a user standpoint, head to the Settings menu. On the other hand, if you need to tweak any network, security, or hardware options, Control Panel is the place to be.

Options Available in Settings Menu

To give you a point of reference, here are some of the options you'll find in the Windows 10 Settings menu:

  • System: Display, notifications, apps, and power options
  • Devices: Bluetooth, printers, and mouse/keyboard
  • Network & Internet: Manage Wi-Fi, Airplane Mode, and VPN
  • Personalization: Change background images and colors
  • Accounts: Settings for user accounts on this PC
  • Time & language: Region, speech, and time options
  • Ease of Access: Tools for the vision or hearing impaired
  • Privacy: Control what your computer knows about you
  • Update & Security: Backup, restore, or update Windows

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

Options Available in Control Panel

On the flip side, here are some of the options you can adjust through the Control Panel menu in Windows 10:

  • System and Security: Manage firewall, encryption, storage, and more
  • User Accounts: Change system access permissions for users
  • Network and Internet: Modify local network, internet, or sharing options
  • Appearance and Personalization: Tweak screen resolution and fonts
  • Hardware and Sound: Device Manager and system sounds menu
  • Clock, Language, & Region: Add a second language or input method
  • Programs: Manage desktop programs and default file handlers
  • Ease of Access: Adjust visibility, audio options, and tooltips

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

There's still a little bit of overlap between these two menus, so there may be times where you're still not exactly sure which menu you should use. In these cases, the best thing to do is perform a quick search by pressing the Windows button on your keyboard, then typing in a brief description of the setting you're looking for.

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

Try to be as vague as possible and go with the lowest common denominator in your query—for instance, search "theme" instead of "Windows themes" when you're looking to change the appearance of your desktop.

Which of the two main Windows 10 settings menus have you found to be more useful so far? Let us know in the comment section below, or drop us a line on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter.

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At some point, you may want to adjust your computer's settings. For example, you might want to change your desktop background or modify your Internet settings. You can change these settings and more from the Control Panel.

However, in Windows 10, the Control Panel has mostly been replaced by the Settings app. The Control Panel is still available, but most of the tasks and settings are now also located in the Settings app.

To open the Settings app (Windows 10):

Click the Start button, then select the gear icon.

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

To open the Control Panel (Windows 10):

Type Control Panel in the Search Box next to the Start button. Then, select the Control Panel app from the menu.  

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

To open the Control Panel (Windows 8):

In Windows 8, you can open the Control Panel directly from the Start screen. Using your keyboard, type Control Panel and press the Enter key.

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

To open the Control Panel (Windows 7 and earlier):

  1. Click the Start button, then select Control Panel.
    The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10
  2. The Control Panel will appear. Simply click a setting to adjust it. In this example, we'll click Change desktop background to choose a new wallpaper for our desktop.
    The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10

Adjusting application settings

You'll also be able to change the settings for different applications on your computer. You will usually find application settings under File > Options, Tools > Options, or within a separate Settings menu. Keep in mind that the location will vary, and some applications may not have any settings you can change.

Is the Control Panel the only place to change system Settings in Windows 10?

The Control Panel is the only place to change system settings in Windows 10. The Internet and websites are the same thing. Websites are connected to one another through hyperlinks across the World Wide Web.

Is Settings and Control Panel the same thing in Windows 10?

You can change these settings and more from the Control Panel. However, in Windows 10, the Control Panel has mostly been replaced by the Settings app. The Control Panel is still available, but most of the tasks and settings are now also located in the Settings app.

Which panel helps to change the Settings of a computer?

You can use Control Panel to change settings for Windows.

Where are the Control Panel Settings in Windows 10?

Press Windows+X or right-tap the lower-left corner to open the Quick Access Menu, and then choose Control Panel in it. Way 3: Go to Control Panel through the Settings Panel. Open the Settings Panel by Windows+I, and tap Control Panel on it.