How-To

Finding Classic System Tools in the Windows 10 Settings App

Microsoft continues to move classic built-in system tools into the modern Settings app. But you can still find the traditional tools you need if they haven’t been removed.

As you probably already know, Microsoft is merging the classic Control Panel with the new Settings app. With each new feature update, more and more built-in system utilities are being ported over to the modern interface. Some of the updated tools, such as Storage Sense, arguably do a better job than Disk Cleanup and improved UI experience. Of course, you will still need to rely on some traditional system tools you have been using since Windows XP and earlier for some maintenance.

Find Classic System Tools in Windows 10

You still find many of the traditional system tools by bringing up the classic Control Panel, you used to be able to access it by hitting Windows Key + X to bring up the so-called power user menu, but Microsoft removed it. Still, listed within that menu are several classic system utilities like Disk Management, Event Viewer, and Device Manager.

Power User Menu

But when it comes to the classic Control Panel, you can get to it by simply hitting the Windows Key and type: cpl and hit Enter or choose the Control Panel option from the top results. Or, you can type the same thing in the Search box on the taskbar. You can create shortcuts to it on the Desktop or even in File Explorer. For more on that, check out our article on the way to make accessing the classic Control Panel easy on Windows 10.

Another tip worth knowing is that the old and new are starting to merge. For example, if you launch the Settings app and type: maintenance into the search field, you will get results for the different maintenance tasks that live in the Control Panel collection of tools. And they will bring you into the classic interface.

Search Settings App Windows 10

On the other hand, the new experiences are part of the old. Using the power user menu with Windows Key + X  as discussed above, when you choose classic tools like “Network Connections” or “System,” they will open to the modern Settings app.

Old and New Network Connection Power User menu

But moving forward, you can expect Microsoft will continue bringing classic system utilities into the modern Settings app on Windows 10 — and remove or deprecate others. And the newest features will only be found in the Settings app. There are several new security settings with Windows 10 1809, for instance. And more new features will continue to be added to the modern UI as Windows 10 matures. But when you need to find a classic tool or utility, at least Microsoft doesn’t make it hard to find what you need.

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