How can I access Control Panel settings more easily?

Q

I often make changes to Windows through the Control Panel – for example, uninstalling programs and adjusting my mouse. But Windows 11 makes it more difficult to open the Control Panel when I want to change something. Is there a program that makes it easier to access Control Panel settings?

A

The quickest way to open the Control Panel in Windows 11 is to click the search button on the taskbar, type control panel and select Open. You can then right-click the Control Panel’s taskbar icon and choose ‘Pin to taskbar’ so you can access it easily in future.

However, a better option, which saves you having to click through the various sections of the Control Panel to find a specific setting, is to install a free program called Extended Godmode ( www. snipca.com/40549). This gives you instant access to more than 200 Control Panel settings, as well as hard-to-find Windows Admin Tools, and usefully presents them in a single, alphabetical list.

Simply download and run the program (be careful not to click an advert instead of the download link, which is near the bottom of the page), and you’ll see the full list of options. Double-click one to open the relevant Control Panel setting. You can save frequently used options as ‘favourites’ by right-clicking them and choosing ‘Add to Favorites’ (see screenshot), search for specific settings and pin the tool to your taskbar.

Extended Godmode works with all versions of Windows, from 7 to 11, but bear in mind that Microsoft now prefers you to use the Settings app instead of the Control Panel, which is why the latter is now tucked away.

Do you need our advice on what software to use? Just email us at letters@computeractive.co.uk