Find Features Moved From Control Panel to Settings in Windows 11

This guide helps you quickly locate settings that Microsoft has migrated from the classic Control Panel to the newer Settings app in Windows 11. You’ll learn the fastest navigation paths, search tricks, and where to look when a familiar option seems missing. No prior knowledge is needed—just your Windows 11 PC.

What You’ll Need

A PC running Windows 11 (any recent version, ideally 22H2 or later).
Administrator access if you plan to change system-wide settings (like network or device options).

Step-by-Step

Use the Start Menu search first. Press the Windows key and type the name of the setting you’re looking for (e.g., “uninstall”, “network”, “display”). The search results will show the most relevant Settings page or Control Panel applet. This is the fastest way to jump straight to the right place.
Open the Settings app directly. Press Windows + I to launch Settings. The app is organized into categories on the left sidebar: System, Bluetooth & devices, Network & internet, Personalization, Apps, Accounts, Time & language, Gaming, Accessibility, Privacy & security, and Windows Update.
Check the System category for common items. Many Control Panel options now live under System. For example:
- Display settings (resolution, scaling, multiple monitors) – System > Display.
- Sound settings (output/input devices, volume) – System > Sound.
- Notifications & actions – System > Notifications.
- Power & sleep – System > Power & battery.
- Storage (including Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense) – System > Storage.
Use the Apps category for uninstall and default apps. To uninstall a program, go to Apps > Installed apps. To change default programs (e.g., browser, email), go to Apps > Default apps. These were previously in Control Panel’s “Programs and Features” and “Default Programs”.
Network settings live under Network & internet. This includes Wi-Fi management, Ethernet properties, VPN, and advanced network settings (like adapter options). For adapter settings, you can still use the classic path: right-click the network icon in the taskbar, select Network & Internet settings, then scroll down and click Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
Personalization options are in the Personalization category. This includes background, colors, themes, lock screen, fonts, and taskbar settings. Some advanced personalization (like desktop icon settings) still requires the old Control Panel dialog—search for “desktop icons” in Start.
Accounts and family settings are under Accounts. Here you can manage your Microsoft account, sign-in options (like PIN, fingerprint), and other users’ accounts. The Control Panel’s “User Accounts” applet still exists for some advanced user management, but most everyday tasks are here.
Privacy and security settings are consolidated. All privacy options (camera, microphone, location, etc.) and Windows Security (antivirus, firewall) are under Privacy & security. The old Control Panel “Security and Maintenance” and “Windows Defender Firewall” are now mostly accessible from here.
For advanced system properties, use the classic dialog. Some settings like environment variables, system protection, and remote desktop are still in the old System Properties dialog. To open it, press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. Or search for “advanced system settings” in Start.
If you still can’t find it, open the Control Panel and use its search. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter. The Control Panel still exists and contains many classic applets. Use the search box in the top-right corner of Control Panel to find a specific item. If you find it there, you can right-click it and choose “Open” to see if it redirects to Settings or opens the classic dialog.

Common Mistakes

Assuming everything is in Settings. Some very old applets (like Device Manager, Disk Management, and Advanced System Settings) are still only in Control Panel or via separate tools. Don’t waste time searching Settings for them.
Using the wrong search term. Windows search is smart but not perfect. Try synonyms: “uninstall” vs “remove programs”, “display” vs “screen”, “network” vs “internet”.
Ignoring the sidebar in Settings. Some options are hidden under submenus. For example, “About” is under System > About, not directly visible on the main System page.
Clicking the wrong result in Start. Search results may show both a Settings page and a Control Panel applet. Choose the one that says “Settings” if you want the modern interface, or “Control Panel” if you need the classic dialog.

Tips

Create shortcuts to frequently used Settings pages. Right-click a Settings page (like Display) and select “Pin to Start” or “Pin to taskbar” for quick access.
Use the Settings app’s own search. Inside Settings, there’s a search box at the top. Type keywords like “printer” or “mouse” to jump directly to the relevant page.
Learn the keyboard shortcuts. Windows + I opens Settings. Windows + A opens Quick Settings (volume, Wi-Fi, battery). Windows + X opens the Power User menu, which includes Device Manager, Disk Management, and System (the old Control Panel System page).
Use URI commands to open specific Settings pages. For example, type ms-settings:display in Run (Windows + R) to open Display settings directly. You can find a list of ms-settings URIs online, but common ones include ms-settings:network, ms-settings:apps, and ms-settings:personalization.
If you prefer the classic Control Panel, you can pin it to the taskbar. Open Control Panel, right-click its icon in the taskbar, and choose “Pin to taskbar”.

Troubleshooting

I can’t find a setting that I know exists. Try these steps:

Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Some settings have been moved in recent updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
Use the Start menu search with different keywords. For example, if you can’t find “mouse”, try “pointer” or “touchpad”.
If you’re looking for a Control Panel applet, open Control Panel (type “control” in Start) and use its search box. Some applets are still only there.
Check if the setting is hidden behind a submenu. For example, “Advanced display settings” is under System > Display > Advanced display.
If a setting is grayed out or missing, you might not have administrator rights. Contact your system administrator or log in with an admin account.

I get an error when trying to open a Settings page. This is rare, but you can try restarting the Settings app: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find “Settings” under Apps, right-click and choose “End task”, then reopen Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still open the classic Control Panel?
A: Yes, press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter. It still exists and contains many applets, though Microsoft is gradually moving items to Settings.

Q: Where is Device Manager in Windows 11?
A: Device Manager is not in Settings. Right-click the Start button (or press Windows + X) and select “Device Manager” from the menu.

Q: How do I uninstall a program in Windows 11?
A: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the program, click the three dots next to it, and select “Uninstall”. You can also search for “uninstall” in Start.

Q: Where are the classic system properties (like computer name, advanced system settings)?
A: Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. Or search for “advanced system settings” in Start.

Q: Why do some settings still open the old Control Panel dialog?
A: Microsoft has not fully migrated every setting. Some advanced options, like environment variables or network adapter properties, still use classic dialogs for compatibility.

Q: How do I change default apps in Windows 11?
A: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. You can search for a specific file type or protocol, or select an app to see what it can open.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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