How to Open Control Panel in Windows 11 Using the Keyboard: A Handy Guide

Want to open the Control Panel in Windows 11 just using the keyboard? No worries, it’s dead easy once you know how. Basically, press Windows key + R, then type “control,” and hit Enter. Fair dinkum, it’s simple enough, but Windows can be a bit cheeky sometimes — especially if you’re used to clicking around or shortcut keys play up. Here’s what usually works for me, and yeah, it works on other machines too.

Step-by-Step: Opening Control Panel in Windows 11 with Keyboard

Here’s the quick rundown. Follow these steps, and the Control Panel should pop up in a jiffy — not fancy, but it gets the job done.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R

This brings up the good old Run dialog box. The one where you can quickly launch apps or folders. Sometimes, if it doesn’t focus straight away, pressing Alt + Space then E can help—Windows isn’t always perfect with focus. Anyway, you should see a little box in the corner soon enough.

Step 2: Type control

Just type “control” — no need for quotes. This command is a bit old-school, but it still does the trick. It’s a shortcut for opening the Control Panel directly. On some setups, typing this might not register immediately, so make sure your focus is on that input box.

Step 3: Hit Enter

This confirms what you’ve typed and should open the Control Panel right away. Might take a second or two if your system’s a bit slow or if you’ve customised your shortcuts or default apps. Depending on your Windows build, the Control Panel might open in a different view mode, so toggling between “Category” or “Icons” isn’t a bad idea if it feels cluttered.

Quick tip: if it doesn’t open immediately or Windows ignores your command, try closing and reopening the Run dialog or give your PC a quick restart — it’s odd, but it works. Also, on some Windows setups, the command might bring up the newer Settings app instead, especially after an update. If that happens, no worries — just head to the Settings app or pin the Control Panel somewhere handy for next time.

Tips for Opening Control Panel in Windows 11 with Keyboard

• Using Windows key + R is quicker than clicking through menus — especially if your mouse has gone walkabout or your trackpad’s playing up.
• If you’re opening Control Panel often, try pinning it via right-click > Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar — saves heaps of time instead of hunting through menus.
• Other handy Run commands: cmd for Command Prompt, msconfig for System Config, or devmgmt.msc for Device Manager. Windows loves its quick commands.
• And a quick heads-up — if you toggle between Category view and icon view, you can change that in the top right of the Control Panel window once it’s open, or tweak the default in the registry if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Remember, a lot of settings have moved into the new Windows Settings app now, so don’t get too hung up trying to find everything in the Control Panel. Still, for some stubborn or legacy settings, it’s dead handy.

FAQs

What’s the point of Control Panel in Windows 11 anyway?

It’s still the go-to for certain advanced or legacy settings — like managing hardware, user accounts, or uninstalling some apps. The new Settings app is taking over, but the Control Panel’s like that trusted old mate — sometimes quicker, and it just feels better for specific jobs.

Can I open it without the Run command?

Sure can. You can also search “Control Panel” directly from the Start menu > Search, or create a desktop shortcut. But honestly, the Win + R trick is the quickest if you’d rather not muck around with the mouse.

Why does Windows sometimes open the Settings app instead?

This usually happens after updates or system tweaks. Windows prefers you to use the newer app now, but the Control Panel can still be summoned with the command I mentioned.

Any way to assign a dedicated hotkey for Control Panel?

Not directly built-in, but you can make a shortcut with control as its target, then assign a keyboard shortcut to that. Windows isn’t always the best with ease of use, eh?

How do I get back to Control Panel after I’ve closed it?

Just run the same command again. Easy as that.

Summary

• Press Windows key + R
• Type control
• Hit Enter

Hope this saves someone a bit of time. It’s not perfect, but it does the trick.