In this guide, we are going to discuss how you can customize the redesigned Quick Settings panel in Windows 11. Microsoft has launched a lot of new features as well as redesigned their existing features in Windows 11.
One such feature is the Quick Settings Menu in Windows 11. This panel enables you to quickly access various features that you frequently use right from the taskbar. It basically has replaced the Action Center of Windows 10. You can access a lot of frequently accessed functions with a click with Quick Settings. Additionally, you can also customize the options that you want to add or remove in the Quick Settings panel. Here, we are going to discuss the Quick Settings functionality in Windows 11 and how you can customize it as per your requirement.
What is there in the Quick Settings menu in Windows 11?
In Windows 10, there used to be an Action Center with various frequently accessed options whenever you click on the notification area. However, it was a bit cumbersome. Microsoft has now replaced it with a better UI design and a more usable Quick Settings menu. The functions in this menu vary from device to device, and you can also decide which features you want to show in this panel.
Here are the default options that you get in Windows 11’s Quick Settings panel:
Wi-Fi: You can access the WiFi function that allows you quickly connect or disconnect from the internet. Also, by clicking on the arrow icon, you will be able to view several available network connections. You simply select the one you want to connect to.
Accessibility: This option allows you to quickly access and use Windows 11 accessibility features including Magnifier, Color filters, Narrator, Mono audio, and Sticky keys. You can enable any of these features by clicking on the Accessibility function. If you want, you can tap on the More Accessibility settings option to open up advanced accessibility functions.
Airplane mode: Enable or disable airplane mode as per your requirement.
Battery saver: Use is to easily enable or disable Battery saver to save laptop battery.
Bluetooth: This will turn on or off the Bluetooth chip on your device.
Focus assist: This option will enable you to toggle between different Focus assist modes that will disable Windows 11 notifications. There are modes like Priority only, Alarms only, or to disable this feature.
Volume: Simply increase or decrease the volume of your device.
Brightness: Increase or decrease the brightness of the monitor as per your preference.
The desktop computer running Windows 11 will get fewer options. For example, they won’t get the battery saver option.
To be able to access more settings options from Quick Settings, simply tap on All settings (gear icon).
Read: How to customize the Windows 11 Lock Screen.
How to access Quick Settings in Windows 11?
You can use different methods to bring up the Quick Settings panel on your system. Here are the main ways to access the Quick Settings panel in Windows 11 easily:
To open up the Quick Settings panel without any hassle, you can press the Windows + A key combination on your keyboard. This will open up the Quick Settings panel on your right with different frequently used options like WiFi, Bluetooth, Volume, Brightness, Airplane Mode, Accessibility, and more.
Another method to open up the Quick Settings menu is by clicking on WiFi, volume, or battery icon present in the system tray on your taskbar.
The desktop PC users and those who use wired internet access, have a volume icon next to the computer icon that the users can tap on to open up the Quick Settings menu.
See: How to open Windows Tools in Windows 11
How to Customize Windows 11 Quick Settings
You can easily change or customize Windows 11 Quick Settings menu. There is a dedicated option that allows you to add or remove features as per your requirement. Here are the main steps to customize Quick Settings in Windows 11:
- Open up the Windows 11 Quick Settings.
- Click on the Edit quick settings option.
- Press the Add button to add new menu items.
- You can also remove any of the existing menu items.
- Change the order of options using drag and drop.
- Tap on the Done button to save changes.
Firstly, you need to open up the Quick Settings menu by using Windows + A key combination or clicking on the WiFi or volume icon on the taskbar.
Now, in the Quick Settings panel, you need to click on the pencil icon which is basically the Edit quick settings button. You will now be able to see editing options.
Next, if you want to add new functions to your Quick Settings, you need to click on the Add button.
It will show you multiple options that you can add, such as Project, Mobile hotspot, Cast, Nearby sharing, Night light, Keyboard layout, etc. Just tap on the feature that you need to add to the Quick Settings panel and it will be added.
In case you want to remove a feature, simply click on the unpin option present at the top of each feature.
This option will enable you to remove a certain function from the Quick Settings menu. So, select this option for the feature you don’t want in Quick Settings.
You can also change the order of options that appear in the Quick Settings panel. For that, you need to drag a feature on the editing panel and drop it where you want to place it.
When you are done customizing the Windows 11 Quick Settings, press the Done button to save changes.
So, this is how you can easily configure and set up the Quick Settings panel in Windows 11.
Read: Remove Show More Options entry from Windows 11 Context menu
Is the Windows 11 Quick Settings Menu Better Than the Action Center in Windows 10?
Yes, if you see overall, I personally found Windows 11’s Quick Settings menu better than Action Center in Windows 10. It is better designed suitable for modern users who focus on the look & feel of anything. So, in that case, it is definitely an improvement. However, they both do the same work which is to provide quick access to often used functions.
Read: How to Add, Remove or Reset Quick Settings in Windows 11.
How do I turn on quick access in Windows 11?
To turn on quick access for specific folders in Windows 11, all you have to do is right-click on the folder you want to add to Quick Access and then select the Pin to Quick access option. You will then be able to access all the pinned folders from the Quick Access panel. In case you want to remove a folder from Quick Access, again right-click on the pinned folder and tap on the Unpin from Quick access option.
Read: Windows 11 Quick Settings not working.
How do I open the Notification bar in Windows 11?
The process of opening the notification bar in Windows 11 is the same as in Windows 10. Just go to the bottom right corner of your taskbar where you will see a number showing you the number of unread notifications. Click on this number and it will open up the notification bar for you. You can also tap on the date and time showing on the taskbar to quickly open up the Notifications bar in Windows 11.
That’s it!
Now read: How to get Old Right-click Context Menu back on Windows 11.
