In Windows 10, many of the popular settings are not present in their default locations, thanks to the new Settings app. Microsoft has moved many settings from the classic Control Panel to the overhauled Settings app to bring all settings under one roof.
Unlike previous Windows versions, when you right-click on the desktop and click the Personalize option, you will see the Settings app instead of the classic Personalization window. Microsoft has moved most of the settings from the classic Personalization window to the Personalization category of the Settings app.
Although the Settings app is easy to navigate, it’s not complete yet. For instance, the Settings app redirects you to the Control Panel when you need to change the advanced power settings.
The Settings app is primarily designed for touch devices. Long-time desktop users are missing the classic Personalization window in Windows 10.
Personalization Panel for Windows 10
The good news is that you can get the classic Personalization window back in Windows 10 by installing a free utility called Personalization Panel.
Personalization Panel is a free application from our friends at WinAero to add the missing Personalization window to Windows 10’s desktop context menu. The Personalization Panel for Windows 10 looks identical to the one in previous Windows versions, meaning it doesn’t look out of place.
Like the original Personalization window, the Personalization Panel also includes links to screen saver settings, desktop icon settings, color and appearance, mouse pointer settings, and display settings.
Bring back the classic Personalization window in Windows 10
Here is how to get the classic Personalization window in Windows 10 using the Personalization Panel.
Step 1: Visit this page and download the Personalization Panel zip file.
Step 2: Extract the zip file to a folder to get the Personalization.exe file.
Step 3: Run the Personalization.exe file to open the classic Personalization window.
NOTE: Windows might warn you against running the tool. Simply click More info, and then click Run anyway button.
Step 4: To integrate it into the desktop context menu, click Options in the left pane, and then click Integrate with Desktop context menu option.
That’s it! From now onwards, whenever you click the Personalize option in the desktop context menu, the classic Personalization window appears in Windows 10.
NOTE: To open the Personalization section of the Settings app, open the Settings app by clicking its icon on the Start menu, and then click Personalize.
Tip: If you don’t want to integrate the classic Personalization Panel into the desktop context menu, you can simply create a shortcut for the Personalization Panel and then pin it to the desktop for quick access.
Lisa Livecchi says
Darn I hit some icon or key and all my icons on my desk top aligned
them self’s on the left of my screen and it won’t let me move them back to were I want them. I can’t find how to do it from Micro 10 info either. Please tell me how todo this.
I’m having trouble with the size of the lettering. I right clicked it and brought it back to small but now when I enter pass or write from a site it’s still big.
Yes I’m not good at this it’s a TBI injury I try my best
Lisa
Alvan says
Clicking on Theme loads it. Right click does the same. Can’t get delete or save options.
C Raigin says
Do you know of a way to get back the classic Color and Appearance window (Like in 7) to change the color of the Active/Inactive text color, for example? If I set a darker color on the title bar, the default text color is black. Otherwise, great job on getting some personalization back!
MikeFromMarkham says
Very nice, I will have to try this on my Windows 10 preview installation.
admin says
@ Len Dawson
Thanks for you comment. Of course, you can open the built-in Personalization window using that code but the program is that the built-in Personalization is different from what we have seen in previous versions (lacks many options).
Len Dawson says
Another option: Paste this command into the Run Dialog box: control desk.cpl,,@background