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Windows 11 uses “System Properties” to mean two different places:
- The classic System Properties dialog, with tabs for Advanced, Computer Name, System Protection, and Remote.
- The modern Settings > System > About page, which shows your Windows edition, version, processor, installed RAM, device name, and OS build.
If you need environment variables, performance settings, user profiles, System Protection, or computer-name settings, open the classic dialog. The quickest way is to run sysdm.cpl.
Open the classic System Properties dialog with Run
This is the shortest and most reliable method in Windows 11.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
sysdm.cpl. - Press Enter, or select OK.
The classic System Properties window opens. Select a tab depending on what you need:
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| Tab | Common uses |
|---|---|
| Computer Name | View or change the computer name, workgroup, or domain membership. |
| Advanced | Open performance options, user profiles, startup and recovery settings, and environment variables. |
| System Protection | Configure restore points and system protection. |
| Remote | Configure certain Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance options. |
Open Advanced System Settings directly
If you specifically need the Advanced tab, use its direct command:
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
SystemPropertiesAdvanced. - Press Enter.
This opens the Advanced portion of the classic System Properties interface. You can also use the executable path:
%windir%System32SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exeFor example, the Advanced tab contains the Environment Variables button. That is where you can edit user variables or system-wide variables, such as PATH. Changing system variables may require administrator approval.
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Search is the easiest menu-based route to the advanced dialog:
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- Press Windows + S, or select the taskbar search box.
- Search for
Advanced system settings. - Select View advanced system settings or the matching result.
Windows opens the classic System Properties window on the Advanced tab.
Open it through Control Panel
For a traditional navigation path, use Control Panel:
- Open Control Panel.
- Select System and Security.
- Select System.
- Select Advanced system settings.
To launch Control Panel without searching for it, press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
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Open the modern System About page
If you only want basic information about the computer, you probably need the modern About page rather than the classic System Properties dialog.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select About.
The page includes information such as the device name, processor, installed RAM, device and system type, Windows edition, Windows version, and OS build.
You can open the same page directly with Run:
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
ms-settings:about. - Press Enter.
Which command should you use?
| What you need | Best route |
|---|---|
| Classic System Properties tabs | sysdm.cpl |
| Performance options or environment variables | SystemPropertiesAdvanced |
| Windows edition, version, build, RAM, or processor | Settings > System > About |
| A menu-only route | Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings |
Why “This PC > Properties” may open the wrong page
On current Windows 11 versions, right-clicking This PC in File Explorer and selecting Properties commonly opens the modern Settings > System > About page. That behavior is expected, but it does not provide dependable access to the classic tabs.
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Use sysdm.cpl for the complete classic dialog, or SystemPropertiesAdvanced if you want its Advanced tab immediately. Similarly, do not rely on a supposed Settings > System > Advanced page; current Windows 11 does not provide that as a general replacement for System Properties.
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What to do if a command does not work
“SystemPropertiesAdvanced” cannot be found
Try the full executable path in Run:
%windir%System32SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exeIf that fails too, try sysdm.cpl. A failure with both commands can indicate a damaged or missing Windows component, a problem with the %windir% environment variable, or a restricted Windows installation.
The About page opens instead
This usually happens after using This PC > Properties. It is not an error. Run sysdm.cpl instead when you need the classic System Properties window.
Windows opens Settings Home instead of About
On a work or school computer, an administrator may have used Settings Page Visibility policy to hide the About page. In that case, ms-settings:about may redirect to another Settings page instead of opening About.
A setting requires administrator permission
Opening System Properties normally does not require an elevated Run command. However, changing machine-wide environment variables, protected settings, or options controlled by organizational policy may produce a User Account Control prompt or be unavailable to a standard account.
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FAQ
What is the fastest way to open System Properties in Windows 11?
Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. This opens the classic System Properties dialog.
How do I open Advanced System Settings directly?
Press Windows + R, type SystemPropertiesAdvanced, and press Enter. You can also run %windir%System32SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe.
How do I find my Windows version and OS build?
Open Settings > System > About. You can also press Windows + R and run ms-settings:about.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhy does This PC Properties open Settings instead of System Properties?
Windows 11 commonly redirects that command to the modern About page. Run sysdm.cpl to open the classic System Properties dialog instead.
Can I open System Properties without Control Panel?
Yes. Use the Run command sysdm.cpl, search for Advanced system settings, or run SystemPropertiesAdvanced.
The Bottom Line
For the classic Windows 11 System Properties window, press Windows + R, enter sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. Use SystemPropertiesAdvanced for the Advanced tab, or open Settings > System > About when you only need basic Windows and device information.
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