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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWindows 11 still includes the utilities formerly grouped under Administrative Tools. Microsoft now labels that Start-menu folder Windows Tools. You can also open most tools faster with Start search, the right-click Start menu, or the Run dialog.
The quickest general method is to press Windows key + R, enter the command for the tool you need, and press Enter.
Open Administrative Tools from the Start menu
Use this route when you want to browse the available Windows management utilities:
- Select Start.
- Select All apps.
- Scroll to Windows Tools and open it.
The folder is called Windows Tools in Windows 11. Administrative Tools is the older Windows 10-era name, so guides using that wording may not match what you see.
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Depending on your Windows build and installed components, the folder can contain tools such as Computer Management, Event Viewer, Services, Task Scheduler, Windows PowerShell, Windows Terminal, Control Panel, and System Information.
Find an individual tool with Windows Search
For a specific utility, Search is usually quicker than opening the whole folder:
- Select Search on the taskbar, or press the Windows key and begin typing.
- Type the tool’s name.
- Select the matching result.
For Disk Management, search for Disk Management. Windows may display the result as Create and format hard disk partitions; that result opens Disk Management.
Microsoft documents Search as a direct route to tools including Computer Management, Event Viewer, Control Panel, System Configuration, System Information, Registry Editor, Local Group Policy Editor, and Advanced System Settings.
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Use the right-click Start menu
Right-click Start to open the power-user menu. On current Windows 11 versions, it can provide direct links to:
- Computer Management
- Event Viewer
- Disk Management
- Task Manager
For the documented Disk Management route, right-click Start, then select Disk Management.
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- Long-lasting Battery Life: A 24-month battery life (4) means you can go for 2 years without the hassle of changing batteries of your wireless full-size keyboard
- Simply plug the USB receiver into a USB port on your desktop, laptop or netbook computer and start using the keyboard right away without any software installation
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This menu is useful for common maintenance tasks, but it is not a complete replacement for the Windows Tools folder. Tools such as Registry Editor and Local Group Policy Editor are normally easier to open through Search or Run.
Open tools with the Run dialog
The Run dialog provides a direct route without relying on Start-menu labels:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter one of the commands below.
- Press Enter, or select OK.
| Tool | Run command |
|---|---|
| Computer Management | compmgmt.msc |
| Event Viewer | eventvwr.msc |
| Disk Management | diskmgmt.msc |
| System Configuration | msconfig |
| System Information | msinfo32 |
| Registry Editor | regedit |
| Local Group Policy Editor | gpedit.msc |
| Advanced System Settings | SystemPropertiesAdvanced |
| Control Panel | control |
These commands open the same management consoles you can reach from Search or Windows Tools. If Windows displays a User Account Control prompt, review it and select Yes if you intend to make system changes.
What is inside Computer Management?
Computer Management is a central Microsoft Management Console containing several administrative sections. After opening it, use the console tree on the left to access areas such as:
- Storage > Disk Management for partitions, volumes, drive letters, and disk initialization
- Services and Applications > Services for Windows services
- System Tools for management consoles such as Event Viewer and Task Scheduler
- Device and hardware management
- Shared folders
- Local users and groups, where supported by the Windows edition
If you specifically need Disk Management, the exact path inside the console is Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management. Opening diskmgmt.msc directly is faster when disk work is your only goal.
Open Control Panel administrative applets
Control Panel remains available in Windows 11 for compatibility and for settings that have not been moved to the modern Settings app.
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- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
- Open Search.
- Type Control Panel.
- Select the result.
- Use Category view or Large icons/Small icons view to find the applet you need.
You can also press Windows key + R, enter control, and press Enter. The required applet may include options for power settings, credentials, user accounts, recovery, and other system configuration tasks.
Do not look for one central administrative page in Settings
Windows 11 Settings is not the replacement location for every administrative utility. Its main categories are System, Bluetooth & devices, Network & internet, Personalization, Apps, Accounts, Time & language, Gaming, Accessibility, Privacy & security, and Windows Update.
Some configuration options are in Settings, but Windows 11 does not provide a single Settings page equivalent to the old Administrative Tools folder. For consoles such as Event Viewer, Registry Editor, Computer Management, Group Policy Editor, and Advanced System Settings, use Windows Search, Windows Tools, or Run.
Important limitations and failure messages
“Windows cannot find gpedit.msc”
gpedit.msc opens Local Group Policy Editor, but that console is not included with Windows 11 Home. It is available in editions such as Pro, Enterprise, and Education.
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Opening a console does not give automatic permission
Locating a tool and having permission to perform every operation are separate matters. Changing disk configuration, editing services, modifying security settings, and applying system-wide policies can require administrator approval through User Account Control.
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If a task fails with an access-denied message, close the console and open it with elevation where available: search for the tool, right-click its result, select Run as administrator, and approve the prompt. Be particularly careful with Registry Editor and disk tools because incorrect changes can affect Windows or cause data loss.
System Configuration no longer manages startup apps
If you open System Configuration with msconfig, its Startup tab redirects to Task Manager on newer Windows 11 versions.
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To manage programs that launch with Windows, open Task Manager > Startup apps. Use the Startup apps list to enable or disable an entry and review its startup impact.
Console commands may open in Windows Terminal
Since Windows 11 version 22H2 and the October 2022 update, Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and other console applications normally open inside Windows Terminal. This changes the host window, not the commands you enter in the Run dialog. Commands such as msconfig, regedit, and compmgmt.msc continue to use the same Run syntax.
If you want the older console host, go to Start > Settings > System > Advanced. Under Terminal, select Windows Console Host. In Windows Terminal, the equivalent setting is Startup > Default terminal application > Windows Console Host.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Disk Management-specific restrictions
Disk Management can create partitions and volumes only when the required space is available. Creating a partition or volume requires an administrator account and either unallocated disk space or free space inside an extended partition.
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- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
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Some USB disks cannot be initialized in Disk Management. In that situation, Windows may still allow the disk to be formatted and assigned a drive letter, but initialization may not be supported for that particular device. Confirm the correct disk before formatting because formatting can erase existing data.
Which method should you use?
| Need | Best route |
|---|---|
| Browse the available administrative utilities | Start > All apps > Windows Tools |
| Open a known tool quickly | Start/Search, then type its name |
| Open Computer Management, Event Viewer, Disk Management, or Task Manager | Right-click Start |
| Use a repeatable shortcut or script-friendly command | Windows key + R and the tool’s command |
| Reach legacy Control Panel applets | Search for Control Panel or run control |
The claim that Administrative Tools was removed from Windows 11 is incorrect. The utilities remain available; Microsoft changed the Start-menu folder name to Windows Tools and provides several direct ways to launch individual consoles.
FAQ
Where is Administrative Tools in Windows 11?
Open Start > All apps > Windows Tools. Windows 11 uses Windows Tools as the current folder name; Administrative Tools is the older Windows 10-era label.
What is the fastest way to open an administrative tool?
Use Start/Search and type the tool’s name, or press Windows key + R and enter its command. For example, use eventvwr.msc for Event Viewer and diskmgmt.msc for Disk Management.
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Is there an Administrative Tools folder in Windows 11 Settings?
No. Settings does not contain one central page for all administrative utilities. Use Windows Tools, Search, the right-click Start menu, Control Panel, or Run commands instead.
Why can’t I open Local Group Policy Editor?
Local Group Policy Editor is not included with Windows 11 Home. The gpedit.msc command is available in editions such as Pro, Enterprise, and Education.
How do I open Disk Management in Windows 11?
Right-click Start > Disk Management, search for Disk Management and select Create and format hard disk partitions, or run diskmgmt.msc.
The Bottom Line
Windows 11 did not remove Administrative Tools. Open the renamed folder at Start > All apps > Windows Tools, search for a specific utility, use the right-click Start menu for common consoles, or launch it with a Run command. Remember that some tools require administrator approval, and gpedit.msc is unavailable on Windows 11 Home.
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