Quick Links
Launching Settings on Windows 11 is as easy as pressing a keyboard shortcut, selecting a graphical option, or running a command. I’ll show you several ways to launch this app on your PC.
Using a Keyboard Shortcut
The quickest and easiest way to launch Settings is bypressing a dedicated keyboard shortcut. On your keyboard, simply press Windows+i.
In the Windows+i shortcut, that’s a lowercase I (I for Internet).
That will launch the Settings app. You can be anywhere on your machine, and the shortcut will still work.
Using the Start Menu
A graphical way to open Settings is by using the Start Menu. This method works evenwhen your keyboard isn’t working; the mouse has to be working, though.
To use the method, open the Start Menu by clicking the menu icon on the taskbar or pressing the Windows key on the keyboard. From the menu that opens, choose Settings.
Settings will launch.
From Windows Search
Windows Search is how you find and launch various apps and utilities on your PC. You can search for and launch Settings as well with this built-in Windows feature.
To do that, open Windows Search by pressing Windows+S or clicking the search box on the taskbar. TypeSettingsand choose the Settings app in the search results.
You’re set.
Using the Power User Menu
Windows 11’s Power User Menu gives you quick access to various built-in system utilities, like Device Manager, Task Manager, and Settings. To use this method,open the Power User Menuby pressing Windows+X or right-clicking the Start Menu icon.
From the open menu, choose “Settings” to launch the Settings app.
And that’s it.
With the Run Dialog Box
Windows 11’s Run dialog box allows you to launch various system tools using their system names. You can use this box to open Settings as well.
To do that, open Run by pressing Windows+R. In the open box, type the following and select “OK” or press Enter:
If you get a “Windows Cannot Find…” error, ensure you’ve typed the colon at the end of the text string. Copying and pasting the following string ensures no errors.
From Command Prompt
If you prefer command-line methods or you’re already using command-line, run a command as follows to launch Settings.
If you haven’t already, open a Command Prompt window. To do that, access Windows Search, typeCommand Prompt, and select the utility in the search results. You don’t have torun the tool as an adminto open Settings.
On the open window, type the following command and press Enter:
Settings will open.
Using PowerShell
PowerShell is another command-line utility you can use to open Settings. To use it, access Windows Search, typePowerShell, and launch the utility. On the open window, type the followingcmdletand press Enter:
It’ll launch Settings.
From File Explorer
If you’re inside a File Explorer window, you don’t have to quit the file manager to access Settings. Simply type a command in the utility itself, and it’ll open Settings.
To do that, select File Explorer’s path bar, type the following command in the bar, and press Enter:
From Action Center
Action Center gives you quick access to notifications and system options. You can launch Settings from here as well.
Open Action Center by pressing Windows+A. In the open section’s bottom-right corner, click “All Settings” (the gear icon) to launch Settings.
From a Web Browser
It might sound surprising, but you’re able to launch Settings from a web browser as well. Whether you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or another web browser, you can launch Settings from within these apps.
To do that, click the address bar in your preferred web browser, type the following command, and press Enter:
In the open prompt, select “Open Settings” (Chrome), “Open Link” (Firefox), “Open” (Edge), or a similar option.
Using Task Manager
Task Manager on Windows 11 allows you to manage running processes,enable or disable startup apps,view user accounts, and perform other tasks. You can use this tool to launch system tools as well, such as Settings.
To do that, first,launch Task Manager. One way to do this is to right-click the Windows taskbar and choose “Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager window, at the top, click “Run New Task.” In the Create New Task dialog box that opens, type the following and select “OK” or press Enter:
With a Desktop Shortcut
If you use Settings often, it makes sense tocreate a desktop shortcutthat quickly launches the app for you. To do that,get to your Windows 11 desktopby pressing Windows+D.
On the desktop, right-click anywhere blank and choose New > Shortcut. In the Create Shortcut window that launches, select the “Type the Location of the Item” field and type the following. Then, choose “Next.”
On the following page, select the “Type a Name for This Shortcut” field and type a descriptive name, such asSettings. Then, click “Finish.”
Each time you want to launch Settings, simply double-click the shortcut you just created.
From the Taskbar
You can actuallypin the Settings app to the taskbarso you can open it with a single click.
To do that, open Windows Search and typeSettings(but don’t open the app). Right-click Settings in the search results and choose “Pin to Taskbar.”
Windows 11 has added Settings to the taskbar. Click the app’s icon to launch the app.
In the future, if you don’t want Settings sitting on the taskbar, remove it by right-clicking the app icon and choosing “Unpin From Taskbar.”
And those are the various ways to access the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. Very handy!
