Last Updated on June 1, 2026
Windows 11 has been around for some time now and has some nice features that Windows 10 doesn’t have yet is still missing some of the functionality that we loved in Windows 10. But one feature that Windows 11 retained is having its own dedicated settings app.
Sure you can still go to the Windows Control Panel to change settings. Many of those older links will just redirect you directly to the new settings app anyway. Finding the setting you are looking for can be a little intimidating if you do not know exactly where to look.
In this article, we will be giving you a complete overview of the Windows 11 settings app. This will make it much easier to find the specific settings and options you are looking for. Let’s break down exactly what each major section controls.
Accessing and Navigating the Home Screen
1. Open the Windows Settings App
To open the Windows settings app, you can click on the Start button. It should be pinned right on the first page of your Start Menu apps. If not, you can simply type the word settings in the taskbar search box to open it from there.
2. Review the Home Section
When the settings app opens, you will be taken to the Home screen instantly. You will then be able to see the other specific category sections below that. The Home section is where you will find some recommended settings as well as settings that you use most often.
3. Check Quick System Information
At the top of the Home section, you can also find your computer’s exact name. It provides quick information about your active internet connection and when Windows last checked for updates. Other common settings you may see here are display settings, customization settings and also information about your OneDrive online cloud storage account.
Configuring Core System and Device Settings
1. Explore the System Menu
For most people, the System section of the Windows settings is where you will find the most commonly used options. This section has many subcategories for things such as display, sound, notifications, power, storage and recovery settings. When you select one of the categories here, you will be taken into a new section entirely specific to that setting.
2. View the Recovery Settings
For example, if you were to go to the Recovery settings, you would see a screen with a variety of useful recovery tools. You can use these options to completely repair or reset your PC. When you see a greater than symbol next to a menu item, that means you can click to expand that category for more options.
3. Check the About Section
One section of the System settings you might find highly useful is the About section. Here you can find exact information about your PC such as its system name and core hardware. It lists your CPU, RAM capacity, Windows version, build number and original install date. You can also rename your computer from here if desired.
4. Manage Bluetooth and Devices
This menu is exactly where you would come to install a printer for your computer. You can also connect your smartphone from here in case you want to use the dynamic lock feature. This security feature ensures your computer will automatically lock when you walk away from it with your paired phone.
5. Adjust Peripheral Hardware
You can also come here to manage your other physical hardware devices. This includes web cameras, mice, touchpads and external display docks. There is even a dedicated section where you can adjust popup notifications for USB devices.
Managing Network and Personalization Options
1. Troubleshoot Network and Internet
If you find that you are having network or internet problems, you will want to come to the Network & Internet settings. This provides critical information about your active network connections. Here you will be able to see details for your wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections such as their connection status and how much data they are using.
2. View Advanced IP Details
You can even find the exact same type of advanced network information you would see with the classic ipconfig command line tool. This includes your specific IP address, network gateway, DHCP assignments, and DNS server settings.
3. Adjust Personalization and Themes
Customizing the user interface has always been a popular thing to do for Windows users. Windows 11 offers many unique ways to do so. You can do things such as change the background image or apply a custom visual theme. You can use your own pictures for a background slide show and easily change system accent colors.
4. Customize the Start Menu
There are also deep options to personalize the taskbar and start menu completely. The image below shows exactly what options you have for customizing the start menu layout. This lets you configure it so it shows only what you actively need to see.
Controlling Apps, Accounts, and Usability
1. Modify Installed Apps
As you install programs and applications on your computer, you will occasionally need to perform routine maintenance. You will need to do things such as remove or completely change a program. You can do so directly from the Apps section. For the most part, you will be going to the Installed apps section when coming to this part of the settings app.
2. Uninstall Unwanted Software
Here you will see a massive alphabetical listing of your installed apps and programs. You can click on the three dots to do things such as uninstall, move or make changes to your software. The specific options you will see will vary depending entirely on what type of program you are making changes to.
3. Manage Windows Accounts
In order to use Windows, you absolutely need to log in with a user account and password or PIN. This user account is normally what is known as a Microsoft account. It consists of your Microsoft account email address which can be used seamlessly for other Microsoft services. There are many options in the Accounts settings that you can use to change exactly how you log in.
4. Update Your Profile Information
The Your Info section is used to do things such as add a profile photo or manage your Microsoft account web settings. You can even change your Microsoft account login to a strict local user login. The Sign-in options section is used to change the physical way you log in to your computer.
5. Configure Windows Hello Options
You can set up biometric things such as a PIN or fingerprint recognition. You can even use facial recognition assuming you have the proper hardware cameras attached to your computer. The Email & accounts section is used strictly to add email addresses to your computer to be used with the built in email and calendar app. This specific menu is not used to add new users to your computer.
6. Add Secondary Local Users
To add new users to your computer, you will want to go to the Other Users section. Here you can add other users by adding them with their Microsoft account. You can also create a basic local user instead. Local users just have a name and password that are only used on the physical computer you configure them on. You can also manage your users from here and elevate them from a standard user to an administrator if needed.
7. Adjust Time and Language
If for some reason the clock on your computer is off, you can correct it here. You might need to change the time zone to match your current physical location. You can do so directly from the Time & Language menu. You can also change the default language used by Windows and change your country formatting if needed.
8. Optimize Your Gaming Experience
If you are a heavy PC gamer, you can come here to configure the Windows Game Bar. Change the default hard drive location for screenshots taken of your active games. You can change raw PC settings to optimize your system resources for your gaming experience.
9. Configure Accessibility Options
If you have a physical condition that makes it difficult to use your computer effectively, you should check this menu. You will be able to find a setting here that you can enable or change to help you navigate the system. As you can see in the image below, there are many settings that you can apply to change how your computer functions. There are precise options to help people with vision and hearing conditions as well as those who might not be able to use their hands too well.
Securing Your PC and Installing Updates
1. Audit Privacy and Security
If you are concerned about what types of things your computer is tracking in the background, you must visit this menu. You can go to the Privacy & Security settings to make aggressive privacy adjustments. Here you can explicitly allow or deny hardware access to things such as your camera, microphone, and location.
2. Open Windows Security
If you go to the Window Security section, you will see a broad overview of how secure your computer actually is. It will tell you if there are any recommended changes that you may want to consider implementing. If you click on the Open Windows Security button, you will be taken to the dedicated Windows Security application where you can adjust firewall and virus settings as needed.
3. Manage Windows Updates
Keeping Windows up to date with the latest OS enhancements and security patches is extremely crucial. It is absolutely required for keeping your computer running properly and securely. When you come to this section, you will be able to see if there are any critical updates that haven’t been applied yet.
4. Pause or Check for Updates
You can manually check for updates to see if there is anything ready to download from the Microsoft servers. If for some reason you do not want your computer to receive any updates immediately, you can pause them. You can pause these downloads for up to 5 weeks but cannot disable them altogether natively.
5. View Your Update History
If you want to see exactly what updates have been previously installed on your computer, you can go to the section labeled Update history. There will also be a crucial option to uninstall bad updates here. You will only be able to uninstall certain minor updates and not major operating system upgrades.
For additional training resources, check out our online IT training courses.
Check out our extensive IT book series.
