To open Control Panel in Windows 11, press Win + R, enter control, and press Enter. For a particular applet, try a documented canonical-name command or a classic .cpl command—but treat older commands as launch attempts, not guarantees that every page still opens the same way. Microsoft says Control Panel remains for compatibility and settings that have not migrated, while recommending the Settings app whenever possible. Microsoft’s Windows system configuration guidance describes the migration as ongoing.
How do I open Control Panel applets with Run commands in Windows 11?
Press Win + R, type a command in the Open box, and press Enter. You can also enter a command at a command prompt. Microsoft’s support page documents these approaches for its command list and cautions that an installation may not contain every listed tool. That list is historical, not a Windows 11 build-by-build compatibility chart.
For Windows 11, control is the direct way to open the Control Panel window. From there, you can browse available items. For a specific destination, prefer the canonical-name form when Microsoft documents one; use classic .cpl strings as compatibility-era commands to try.
Classic .cpl commands to try
The following exact strings appear in Microsoft’s older command table. Names and behavior may differ on current Windows 11 builds, and an item may be unavailable or redirected. The table is a reference to classic syntax, not a claim that each command has been verified on every Windows 11 edition or build.
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| Task or historical label | Command to try | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Programs and Features / Add or Remove Programs | control appwiz.cpl |
Classic applet command; the current destination can vary by build. |
| Date and Time | control timedate.cpl |
Historical command-table example. |
| Internet Properties | control inetcpl.cpl |
Historical command-table example. |
| Display Properties | control desk.cpl |
Historical label; display configuration has substantially moved to Settings. |
| Keyboard Properties | control main.cpl keyboard |
Historical command-table example. |
| Mouse Properties | control main.cpl |
Historical command-table example. |
| Multimedia Properties | control mmsys.cpl |
Historical command-table example. |
| Sound Properties | control mmsys.cpl sounds |
Historical command-table example. |
| System Properties | control sysdm.cpl |
For named system property pages, use the standalone executables listed below. |
| Fonts Folder | control fonts |
Historical command-table example. |
| Power Management | control powercfg.cpl |
The source labels this for Windows 98; it is not established here as a Windows 11 command. |
The old table also includes items tied to Windows 95 or 98, such as FindFast and legacy Network Properties. Their presence in that table does not make them current Windows 11 applets.
Canonical-name commands for specific Control Panel items
Microsoft’s preferred command-line pattern for Windows Vista and later is control.exe /name canonicalName. A canonical name is a nonlocalized identifier for a Control Panel item; using it avoids relying directly on the underlying module name. Microsoft notes that the implementation can change while the canonical name remains. If an item supports named pages, append /page pageName. Microsoft documents the syntax and examples.
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| Destination | Command to try | What it opens |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | %systemroot%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate |
A canonical-name launch attempt for the Windows Update item. |
| Programs and Features | %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures |
The documented canonical-name form for this destination. |
| Power Options plan settings | control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pagePlanSettings |
The named plan-settings page, where supported. |
| Power Options global settings | control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageGlobalSettings |
The named global-settings page, where supported. |
What is the command for Programs and Features?
For the classic command, try control appwiz.cpl. Microsoft’s canonical-name form is %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures. These are launch commands, not a promise that the same Programs and Features interface will appear on every Windows 11 build. If you need to uninstall or change an installed app and the classic route is unavailable, use the current Settings destination: Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
How do I open advanced power settings?
Try %windir%system32control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3 from Run. Microsoft gives this as the command for the advanced Power Options page and explicitly says its documentation has no canonical command for that page. The page can depend on the selected power plan and device. For the main power plan pages, the documented canonical-name examples are control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pagePlanSettings and control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageGlobalSettings.
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Standalone system tools that are not applet commands
Some useful commands launch a Windows utility or a particular system-property page rather than a general Control Panel applet.
- Windows Features dialog:
%windir%system32OptionalFeatures.exe. This opens the Windows Features dialog; it is not a.cplcommand. - Advanced System Settings: enter
SystemPropertiesAdvancedin Run. Microsoft’s current support guidance lists this command for the Run dialog. - Other System Properties pages: the execution guide lists
SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe,SystemPropertiesRemote.exe,SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe, andSystemPropertiesProtection.exefor Performance, Remote, Computer Name, and System Protection, respectively.
Microsoft’s examples also include control.exe sysdm.cpl,,3 for a numbered tab. The guide explains that the index differs by Windows version: the example refers to the fourth System tab in Windows XP and the third in Windows Vista. Do not assume a numeric tab index remains stable on Windows 11.
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Canonical commands versus legacy .cpl syntax
- Use a canonical name when Microsoft documents one for the desired item. The name identifies the Control Panel item rather than directly naming its implementation module.
- Try an older .cpl command when you need a classic destination or are following older support instructions. Treat its success and final destination as build-dependent.
- Use a named page argument only when the item supports it; page names are not interchangeable with tab numbers.
- Use Settings for the current route when it offers the setting you need. A command opening an interface does not establish that it is the recommended way to change that setting.
Why a command may not work or show the expected page
Control Panel item names and availability are not universal. Microsoft’s canonical-name reference says names are English regardless of the system language, and some items depend on Windows edition or detected hardware. Third parties can also add Control Panel items. The reference’s operating-system support table often ends at Windows 8.1, so it should not be treated as a Windows 11 compatibility matrix. See Microsoft’s canonical-name notes.
Windows policy can also hide Control Panel items or affect access through command-line paths. Microsoft’s Control Panel policy documentation covers applicable Windows policies.
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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- Check the spelling, punctuation, and spaces in the command.
- Try it from the Run dialog as well as a command prompt.
- If it opens an older page or fails, look for the setting in the relevant Settings category.
- On a managed PC, ask the administrator whether policy restricts access.
- Consider whether the item depends on edition or hardware, or whether the command comes from an older Windows version.
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