General Open Control Panel in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to open the Control Panel and change to Category, Large icons, or Small icons view in Windows 11.

You can use Control Panel to change settings for Windows. These settings control nearly everything about how Windows looks and works, and you can use them to set up Windows so that it's just right for you.

When you open the Control Panel, you can select to view the Control Panel in either the Category, Large icons, or Small icons view.

The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience.

While the Control Panel still exists for compatibility reasons and to provide access to some settings that have not yet migrated, you're encouraged to use the Settings app, whenever possible.

EXAMPLE: Control Panel in Large icons, Small icons, or Category view







1 Open Search (Win+S) or the Start menu.

2 Type Control Panel into the search box. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on Open for Control Panel.

This option is only available if you turned on Show all folders for the navigation pane in File Explorer.

1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Click/tap on Control Panel in the left navigation pane. (see screenshot below)







1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Click/tap on the first arrow on the left side in the address bar. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on Control Panel in the drop menu.







1 Open Run (Win+R).

2 Type control into Run, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)







1 Open the Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell console.

2 Type control into the console, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn Brink