Many Windows 10 users are looking for a way to open the old Display Settings applet. In Windows 10, Microsoft replaced it with a new Settings app. It is a Metro app which takes over some options of the classic Control Panel, including Display Settings but not all of them. In the Settings app, you cannot do many things which were possible in the old (classic) applet. Here is how you can still open the old Display Settings in Windows 10.
Many users found it impossible to activate their second display, for instance, a TV, using the Settings app in Windows 10. But it was easily possible in previous Windows versions. Here is how you can open old Display Settings in Windows 10.
Press Win + R shortcut keys and type the following in the Run box:
control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
- Open Registry Editor. If you are not familiar with Registry Editor, see this detailed tutorial.
- Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Display\command
Tip: You can access any desired Registry key with one click.
- Take ownership and get full access to the "command" subkey as described here: How to take ownership of a Registry key.
Tip: Also check out RegOwnershipEx. With
RegOwnershipEx, you can take ownership of any Registry key with one click! - Now, delete the "DelegateExecute" value and set the default (unnamed) parameter to the command mentioned above:
control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
Look at the following screenshot:
You are done. This method is not convenient. So here is an alternative, time saving way to get the classic Display command in the Desktop context menu.
- Download Personalization Panel for Windows 10. Starting with version 1.1.0.1, it supports adding the classic Display context menu item for the Desktop in Windows 10.
- Run the application and click the Options link.
- In the application's preferences, click the button "Integrate with Desktop context menu".
Confirm the UAC prompt.
That's it. Now, whenever you click the item "Display settings" in the right click menu of the Desktop, the classic Display settings window will open.
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What have microsoft done with windows 10, it’s so bland,
i feel like i’m working on a 30 year old apple mac.
Fukin yuk
hahaha, very true.
The new “universal” UI is so sick!
Thanks for this! The new Settings app is useless for me, I can’t activate any display so this is very useful.
You are welcome
it seems to me i this is in fact available in Windows 10 Control Panel.
You don’t need to download or start external programs. You can reach the old display settings this way:
– right-click the start menu button; the list with some useful system shortcuts appears
– click Control Panel; the old-style control panel opens
– click Display; the control panel applet for changing text/element size of apps opens
– click Change display settings (that’s on the left); the old display settings dialog opens
and here you are!
(don’t ask how long it took to find this)
Removed in the Anniversary Update, another stupid UI decision by Microshit.
This workaround no longer works as of build 14316.
This doesn’t work anymore. Even if you replace Windows 10’s display.dll with one from Windows 7 it still won’t work. Oh well. Was good while it lasted.
Try running shell:::{C555438B-3C23-4769-A71F-B6D3D9B6053A}.
It works, but it doesn’t do any good. Microsoft actually removed that part from the classic control panel entirely. If you want to adjust your resolution you must use Settings (metro control panel).
omg this is annoying, there’s a certain setting accessible in old disp sett which isn’t in the new version… now windows logo+prt sc doesn’t work and i can’t fix it by switching that thing off
I managed in other way. Open all settings >About and then top right corner click System info.
Your welcome.
and another way is simply, type in search “control panel” then right click and you will have options like open or pin to task bar ;)
You haven’t tried this in any modern build of Windows 10. The applet is removed.
Yes I did, just installed 2 days ago the latest win 10 home ;).
actually you can in windows 10 pro