Windows 11 includes both the classic Control Panel and the modern Settings app to access and change various system settings. While the new Settings app has almost every setting and option in the Control Panel, there are still several settings and options that are available in the Control Panel only.
Over the past several years, Microsoft has moved many settings and options from the Control Panel to the Settings app. Moreover, clicking many Control Panel links opens a relevant page in the Settings app. For instance, clicking View devices and printers in the Control Panel opens the Bluetooth & devices page in the Settings app.
Many users who regularly need to install and manage printers and other hardware miss the old Devices and Printers window of the Control Panel, as it lets you perform many actions from one place, including changing your printer and scanner settings.
While clicking the View devices and printers link opens the Bluetooth & devices page of the Settings app, the classic Devices and Printers is still part of Windows 11. It’s just that the link has been redirected to the Settings app.
If you find the classic Devices & printers page more helpful than the modern Bluetooth & devices page of the Settings app, here is how to open Devices & printers in Windows 11.
Method 1 of 3
Open Devices and Printers from the Run command box in Windows 11
Step 1: Perform a right-click on the Start button (Windows logo button on the taskbar), and then click Run to open the Run command box.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following shell command into the box, and then press the Enter key to open the Devices & Printers window immediately.
shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
Please note that the Run command remembers previously typed paths. So, next time, you just have to open the Run command and press the Enter key unless you use Run to open other folders and programs. If so, use the instructions given below to create a desktop shortcut for Devices & Printers.
Method 2 of 3
Create a Devices and Printers shortcut on Windows 11 for easy access
If you often need to open Devices & Printers to manage printers, scanners, and other hardware, consider adding a Devices & Printers shortcut to the desktop for quick and easy access.
Step 1: Perform a right-click on a vacant spot on the desktop, click New, and then click Shortcut.
Step 2: In the Type the location of the item field, copy and paste the following path.
explorer shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
Click Next.
Step 3: Type Devices & Printers in the box before clicking the Finish button to create the Devices & Printers shortcut icon on the desktop. From now onwards, you may double-click the shortcut icon on the desktop to open Devices & Printers immediately.
Method 3 of 3
Open Devices & Printers from the File Explorer from the File Explorer in Windows 11
Step 1: Open File Explorer.
Step 2: In the address bar, copy and paste the following path, then hit the Enter key to open the Devices & Printers window on your screen immediately.
shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
Our how to create printer shortcut on Windows 11 desktop guide might also interest you.
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