Hardware Settings and Controls on Windows 10 PC
To control the settings of different computers, you will find yourself visiting one of the two main sites in Windows. The first location, introduced in Windows 8, is the Settings app. The second location, common in all versions of Windows but hidden in Windows 10, is the Control Panel.
Using the Settings app
Apparently, the desire of Microsoft masters to use the Settings application to control all aspects of Windows. This approach mostly works, although the Control Panel remains a backup.
To activate the Settings app, choose Settings from the Start menu. The keyboard shortcut is Win + I.
The Settings app window lists nine main categories. Choose a category, then select a more specific subcategory from the items displayed on the left side of the screen. Details appear on the right.
After changing or checking a setting, close the Settings app: click the X button in the upper-right corner of the window.
Use the Quick Settings area of the Action Center to quickly change many of your computer’s settings—for example, the connection setting used to access a Wi-Fi network.
Since the Settings app is an app (as opposed to software), it’s designed for both touch and mouse input. This explains why its appearance is large and friendly compared to traditional Windows programs, which are small and intimidating.
The Settings app may eventually lead you to the Control Panel.
Windows 8 eschewed the Control Panel for the Settings app, and Windows 10 is happy to extend that tradition. The control panel has not disappeared, but the exit is shown to it.
To invoke Control Panel in Windows 10, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen. Up pops up in the super secret menu. Choose a Control Panel command from that menu.
In previous versions of Windows, to display the Control Panel, click the Start button and click the Control Panel menu item on the right side of the Start menu.
Check the control panel. Choose a category or link to make a setting. Sometimes you have to click on some links to get to the exact place you want to reach.
For example, to view a list of devices available for your computer, open Control Panel. Under the Hardware and Sound heading, click the View devices and printers link.
Close the Control Panel window when you’re done messing around.
The Control Panel originally displayed its categories as a list of icons. To restore this mode, click on the View by menu and choose either Large Icons or Small Icons from the list. Many older Windows users find this method faster than using Category View, although most documentation mentions Category View.
According to geeks, the Control Panel will eventually be replaced by the Settings app in future Windows updates