Open System from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10  

    Open System from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10

    Open System from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10

    How to Open System from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    09 Feb 2019
    Designer Media Ltd


    SIZE=5]How to Open System from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10[/SIZE]


    The Win+X Quick Link menu is a pop-up menu from the Start button that includes shortcuts of common management, configuration, and other power user Windows tools.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 14942, System in the Win+X menu opens to Settings by default now instead of the Control Panel.

    This tutorial will show you how to have System in the Win+X Quick Link menu open to Control Panel or Settings for your account in Windows 10.


    EXAMPLE: System in Win+X menu open to Control Panel or Settings
    Click image for larger version.  Name: Win+X_System.png  Views: 1868  Size: 165.1 KB  ID: 106133



    Here's How:

    1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download a ZIP file for a Control Panel or Settings shortcut depending on what you want System in the Win+X menu to open to.

    Control_Panel-System.zip

    download

    OR

    Settings-System.zip

    download

    2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

    3. Unblock the .zip file.

    4. Open the .zip file. (see screenshots below)

    Click image for larger version.  Name: Control_Panel-System.png  Views: 292  Size: 31.2 KB  ID: 106131
    Click image for larger version.  Name: Settings-System.png  Views: 272  Size: 30.8 KB  ID: 106132

    5. Open a seperate File Explorer window, copy and paste the location below into the address bar, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

    %LocalAppdata%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3

    Click image for larger version.  Name: Win+X-1.png  Views: 291  Size: 56.4 KB  ID: 106134
    Click image for larger version.  Name: Win+X-2.png  Views: 356  Size: 63.5 KB  ID: 106135

    6. Drag and drop (copy) the 06 - SystemAbout shortcut from the .zip file in step 4 into the Group3 folder in step 5.

    7. Click/tap on Replace the file in the destination when prompted. (see screenshot below)

    Name: Win+X_System-2.png Views: 1728 Size: 11.9 KB


    8. Restart explorer to apply.


    That's it,
    Shawn



  1. drfsupercenter

    Member
    Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
       New 12 Apr 2017 #1

    Hi Brink,
    I just downloaded and installed the "RTM" Creator's update, and this seems to no longer work.
    I'm not sure WHY - the Control Panel shortcut works, but if I try to replace any of the four Modern "group 3" WinX shortcuts with their versions from 1607, and restart Explorer, they simply disappear from the list!
    See here ...

    Click image for larger version.  Name: 5qeh2xi[1].png  Views: 415  Size: 81.3 KB  ID: 129736
    Note that the names have been changed, they are now:
    04-1 - NetworkStatus.lnk
    06 - SystemAbout.lnk
    08 - PowerAndSleep.lnk
    10 - AppsAndFeatures.lnk

    I tried overwriting them using a livebooting Linux (in case it was something funky with the naming), just doing a direct replace of the SystemAbout link with the one from 1607, and nope - "System" is gone upon boot. It's like it's somehow hash-checking those shortcuts when starting Explorer

    Curious that Control Panel works just fine though, as seen in my screenshot, that one goes in Group2 and not Group3 for what it's worth.
      My ComputerSystem Spec
    Quote Quote
  3. Brink's Avatar
    Brink

    Administrator
    Posts : 36,068
    64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 18836
    Thread Starter
       New 12 Apr 2017 #2

    It appears the Control Panel option no longer works now.

    I've updated the download for the Settings options so you can restore it if you like.
      My ComputersSystem Spec
    Quote Quote

  4. drfsupercenter

    Member
    Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
       New 12 Apr 2017 #3

    Do you have any idea why? I'm curious why the regular Control Panel shortcut in Group2 still works while the Group3 ones don't. I would really, really love to have the vintage options back - it's not like you can't just open settings the normal way if you want those!
      My ComputerSystem Spec
    Quote Quote

  5. drfsupercenter

    Member
    Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
       New 13 Apr 2017 #4

    I figured it out!

    The shortcuts have to be checksummed using some internal API feature or they won't show up in that menu. It appears they made the requirements more strict for control panel applets (but oddly, not the main control panel itself)

    I used **REMOVED** to make new shortcuts that will work in the RTM creator's update
    Because I don't like telling people to go download random software, I've attached them here. These ones should work using the same steps as above, just with the new shortcut!

    Edit: it's attached to this post but I can't figure out how to get the link to show up, maybe a mod can help

    Shortcuts.zip
      My ComputerSystem Spec
    Quote Quote
  6. Brink's Avatar
    Brink

    Administrator
    Posts : 36,068
    64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 18836
    Thread Starter
       New 13 Apr 2017 #5

    Perfect. I'll start updating the tutorials now.
      My ComputersSystem Spec
    Quote Quote

  7. drfsupercenter

    Member
    Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
       New 13 Apr 2017 #6

    Sweet. Maybe include two versions of the shortcut, one for the Creator's Update and then the existing one for all earlier versions. Since Creator's also changed the names!
      My ComputerSystem Spec
    Quote Quote
  9. Brink's Avatar
    Brink

    Administrator
    Posts : 36,068
    64-bit Windows 10 Pro build 18836
    Thread Starter
       New 13 Apr 2017 #7

    That's a good idea. I'll have to make it easy to understand in the tutorials to avoid confusion though.

    EDIT: The few builds between 14942 and 14986 when it changed again is so few, it would be best to just have the latest version.
    Last edited by Brink; 13 Apr 2017 at 14:37.
      My ComputersSystem Spec
    Quote Quote

 

Tutorial Categories

Open System from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


Related Threads
How to Add or Remove Control Panel and/or Settings on Win+X Menu in Windows 10 The Win+X Quick Link menu is a pop-up menu from the Start button that includes shortcuts of common management, configuration, and other power user Windows tools. ...
How to Open Power Options from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10 The Win+X Quick Link menu is a pop-up menu from the Start button that includes shortcuts of common management, configuration, and other power user Windows...
How to Add or Remove Control Panel context menu in Windows 10 In Windows 10, there are a few different ways to find and change your settings: Settings app, Control Panel, app settings, and search. Most of the settings that you'll want to change...
Read more: Microsoft to replace the traditional Control Panel with the Windows 10 Settings app | Windows Central
I've tried using the Settings App, but I always seem to end up using Control Panel? Is it just me, or is the Settings App just a partial duplication of CP?

Tags for this Thread

Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:58.
Find Us