Using the Windows 8 Control Panel and PC Settings

The Control Panel is a traditional component of Windows which lets users view, manipulate and adjust computer settings and controls. However, there is new hub for changing the system settings introduced in Windows 8 which is the PC Settings. The Control Panel is still present in Windows 8’s desktop mode; not quite as obvious as it was in the previous versions but still as important. On the other hand, the new PC Settings give you easier access to your computer settings and make it simpler to change and personalize it.

How to get to the Control Panel

1. On the Start Screen, bring up the default charms by going to the upper or bottom right hand corner using your mouse (or, for touch sensitive device, by swiping inwards from the right edge of the screen).
2. Click or tap on Search and type in the word Control Panel in the search box.
3. Click or tap Apps, and then click or tap Control Panel.

In the Control Panel, you will find categories of settings with sub-categories under each. You may change this categorized layout by changing the View by option. Change it from Category to Large Icons or Small Icons to display the list of all settings in one page. You will notice that some of setting you see in the Control Panel corresponds to what you will see in PC settings, but others are very specific to Control Panel which permits users to a high level of customization and personalization.

How to open PC Settings

1. Press the keyboard shortcut Windows key + C to bring up the default charms.
2. On the charms bar at the right side of the screen, click on Settings.
3. The Settings panel appears on the right. At the very bottom of the panel, click on Change PC Settings.

The PC Settings is divided into the following categories:

Personalize – customize the Lock Screen, Start Screen, and the account picture.
Users – switch accounts, change your password, create picture password, see the list of users of that computer, as well as add new users if you are the administrator.
Notifications – control notifications that you receive in Windows 8 and from individual apps.
Search – configure settings for the Search charm, save searches, or delete search history.
Share – show frequently used and shared apps at the top list of the Share charm, set the number of items in the list, or clear the list.
General – change your time zone, keyboard, language, or reset you computer. Also includes options for app switching, spelling, and storage availability.
Privacy –control apps’ access to personal information.
Devices – has the list of the devices connected to your computer. There’s also a toggle switch for keeping device software from automatically downloading updates while on metered internet connection.
Wireless – turn on or off airplane mode and wireless devices such as mobile broadband, Wi-Fi and bluetooth.
Ease of Access – setting for adjusting screen contrast, making everything on your screen bigger, changing cursor thickness, etc.
Sync your settings – allows you to enable or disable sync feature on your computer as well as on several individual settings.
HomeGroup – controls the contents you share with your homegroup. Also contains the password to your homegroup and a button to leave a homegroup.
Windows Update – where you can find pending Windows updates and check for Windows update.

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Simon Calder

Chris “Simon” Calder was working as a Project Manager in IT for one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious cultural institutions, LACMA. He taught himself to use Microsoft Project from a giant textbook and hated every moment of it. Online learning was in its infancy then, but he spotted an opportunity and made an online MS Project course - the rest, as they say, is history!