How to Open Control Panel on Windows 10?

To access the Control Panel on the right-click menu, you need to modify the Windows Registry; hence, we recommend taking a complete backup of the windows registry and creating a system restore point. You can revert your PC to a working state if something goes wrong.

Step 1. Firstly, open the Run box by pressing the Windows logo + R keys on the keyboard.

Step 2. In the Run box, type the following command and hit Enter the key on the keyboard:

regedit

The above action will open the Registry editor window.

Step 3. In the Registry Editor window that opens, navigate to the following key from the left side pane:-

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

Step 4. Then, right-click on the shell folder in the left side pane, and select the shell option.

Step 5. Rename the newly created key as Control Panel.

Step 6. After that, right-click on the newly created key Control Panel, and select the New > Key option.

Step 7. Rename the newly created key as Command.

Step 8. Select the newly created command key, and on the right side, double click on the (Default) string to change its Value data.

Step 9. Copy and paste the following in the ‘Value data‘ box:-

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL

Step 10. Finally, hit the OK button.

After completing the above steps, right-click on the desktop or any folder or drive to access the Control Panel in the context menu.

How to Add Control Panel icon to Windows 10 Desktop?

Perform the following steps to add the Control Panel icon to Windows 10 Desktop:-

Step 1. First, right-click the blank space on the Desktop and select the Personalize option.

Step 2. Then, hit the Themes tab in the left side pane and click the link Desktop icon settings on the right-side pane.

Step 3. On the pop-up window “Desktop Icon Settings,” check the checkbox Control Panel.

Step 4. Then, click Apply.

Step 5. After that, click OK.The Control Panel icon will appear on your Windows 10 desktop when you complete it. Double-clicking that icon on the Desktop, you can open Control Panel.

How to Launch Control Panel through the Settings app?

Open the Setting app by pressing the  Windows logo + I keys on the keyboard. In the Settings search box, type Control Panel. Click the Control Panel entry to open it in the search result.

How to Open Control Panel from the Run dialog box?

Press Windows + R keys to open the Rundialog. Then, type the control panel in the empty box and click the OK button. Control Panel will open.

How to Open Control Panel through Windows PowerShell?

It is also possible to open Control Panel through Windows PowerShell. It is helpful for those who prefer to use PowerShell. Open the PowerShell using any method.

In the Windows PowerShell that opens, type the Control Panel and press the Enter key on the keyboard.

How to Access Control Panel from Windows 10 File Explorer?

It is possible to add Control Panel to Windows File Explorer using a registry hack. These are the steps:-

Step 1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Runcommand box.

Step 2. Type in Regedit in the Run box and hit enter from the keyboard or press the OK button.

The above action will open the Registry Editor window.

Step 3. In the Registry Editor windows, navigate to the following registry key from the left side pane:-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp

Step 4. Then, right-click the NameSpace key and select New > Key.

Step 5. Right-click on the newly-created key and name it as:

{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}

Step 6. Close the Registry Editor.

Step 7. Open File Registry.

You can now see Control Panel under File Explorer. Double-click on it to open.

This post keeps in mind Windows 10. However, most of above mentioned (except the Settings app) methods also apply to Windows 11, 8.1, 8, and 7.

That’s all for this article. I hope this article will add some value to your work.

You guys are amazing; Keep reading, learning, and growing.

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