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Control Panel vs. Settings: What's the Difference in Windows?

Tap through the steps to see how the two interfaces fit together.

  1. Why two interfaces exist side by side

    Microsoft has been gradually moving features from the old Control Panel into the newer Settings app, but the migration still isn't complete, so both interfaces continue to coexist on modern Windows.

  2. Open the Settings app

    Press Windows key + I, or click the gear icon in the Start menu, to open the modern Settings app.

  3. Several ways to open Control Panel

    Type 'Control Panel' into the Start menu search box, press Windows key + R and type control into the Run dialog, or search for a related setting inside the Settings app and follow its 'Open in Control Panel' link.

  4. Examples of features that still live only in Control Panel

    Internet Options, some advanced uninstall options under Programs and Features, advanced user account management tools, and detailed font management are still only accessible through Control Panel.

  5. Deciding which one to use

    Handle everyday tasks like display, personalization, app management, and updates in the Settings app, and only reach for Control Panel when you need a detailed option that Settings doesn't expose.

Two interfaces, one system

For most everyday tasks, the Settings app alone is enough, but a handful of older features have never been rebuilt for it and still live only in Control Panel. If you can't find something in Settings, checking Control Panel is usually the fastest way to track it down.

Some legacy settings haven't moved yet

Internet Options is a good example of a feature that predates the Settings app and still governs security zones and trusted-site lists that most modern settings screens don't expose at all. Advanced network adapter settings and certain legacy printer options work the same way -- still only reachable through the older interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Control Panel disappear from Windows eventually?

Microsoft has been moving features to Settings gradually for years, but not everything has migrated yet, so Control Panel is likely to stick around for the foreseeable future.

If the same setting exists in both places, does changing it in one affect the other?

Yes. Any setting that exists in both interfaces controls the same underlying system value, so changing it in either one applies identically no matter which interface you used.