Understand and explore Windows Settings

The System section in the Settings app allows you to manage essential features such as display, sound, notifications, storage, and power settings ensuring your device runs smoothly and efficiently.

Steps to navigate System settings

1. Open the Settings app, then press Tab key until you hear "System," and press Enter.

2. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for managing display, sound, notifications, power, and storage settings.

To explore some commonly used system settings such as display, clipboard, notifications, screensharing and projecting, and power management, check out the following articles:

• Change display brightness and color in Windows

• Change notification and quick settings in Windows

• Using the clipboard

• Screen mirroring and projecting to your PC or wireless display

• Share things with nearby devices in Windows​​​​​​​

The Bluetooth and devices section lets you manage devices connected to your computer, including wireless peripherals such as mouse, keyboards, speakers, headphones, and more.

Additionally, this section includes the Phone Link feature under the Mobile devices page, which allows you to connect your Android or iPhone to your PC.

Steps to navigate Bluetooth and devices settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to the System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Bluetooth and devices," then press Enter.

3. Use Up or Down arrow key to explore available options for connecting, removing, or managing devices.

To explore some commonly used Bluetooth and devices settings, such as mouse, keyboard, hearing devices, and phone link, refer to the following articles:

• Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use

• Use a screen reader to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows

• Using hearing devices with your Windows 11 PC

• Use a screen reader to navigate Phone Link

The Network and Internet section allows you to manage your device's connectivity, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile hotspots, and airplane mode settings.

Additionally, this section includes settings for dial-Up connections, which allow you to configure and edit dial-up connections directly within the Settings app. Improvements have been made to dial-up settings to allow for making changes and managing the connections inside of the Settings app.

Steps to navigate Network and Internet settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Network and Internet," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for connecting to networks, troubleshooting connectivity issues, or managing data usage.

For information on how to connect to a Wi-Fi network, refer to Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows And Setting up a wireless network in Windows.

The Personalization section allows you to customize the appearance of your device, including themes, backgrounds, colors, lock screen, taskbar settings, and more. These features enable you to create a unique and visually appealing desktop experience tailored to your preferences.

You can also manage Text Input settings to personalize your on-screen keyboard and typing insights, optimizing the typing experience to suit your needs. The Fonts section lets you view installed fonts or add new ones, allowing further customization of the text style across your device.

Additionally, personalization settings include features such as Interactive Weather on Lock Screen and Desktop Spotlight, offering options to enhance your lock screen with real-time weather updates or rotating images and details. If you want to adjust how you use your device to get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations within Microsoft experience, navigate the Device Usagesettings in the Settings app for further customization options.

Steps to navigate Personalization settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Personalization," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for updating your device's look and feel to suit your preferences.

To explore some commonly used personalization settings such as lock screen, dynamic lighting, refer to the following articles:

• Personalize your lock screen

• Make Windows easier to see

• Personalization based on your device usage settings and your privacy

• Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Windows Desktop

• Control your Dynamic Lighting devices in Windows

• Change display brightness and color in Windows

The Apps section allows you to manage the programs installed on your device. This includes uninstalling and managing apps and setting default programs. This section provides access to configuring offline maps, which let you download maps for use without an internet connection, and apps for websites, where you can control which apps open web links.

Additionally, the Startup settings enable you to manage which apps launch automatically when your device starts, helping to optimize performance.

Steps to navigate Apps settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Apps," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for managing your installed apps, advanced app settings, and startup behavior.

To explore some commonly used app settings such as uninstall apps, startup configuration, and offline maps, refer to the following articles:

• Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows

• Configure startup applications in Windows

• Find your way with Maps

The Accounts section allows you to manage user accounts, sign-in options, and account preferences. You can choose to sign in with a personal, work, or school account, ensuring seamless access to resources and settings across devices.

This section provides options to enhance security by customizing sign-in methods such as Windows Hello (facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN), traditional passwords, and security keys. Additionally, you can configure email and account settings for connected apps, enabling the synchronization of emails, calendars, and contacts.

You can also use the Windows Backup settings within this section to back up your important files, preferences, and settings to the cloud, ensuring you can restore them easily on a new or existing device.

Steps to navigate Accounts settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Accounts," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options related to account.

To explore some commonly used account settings such as sign in options, backup and restore data, refer to the following articles:

• Use a screen reader to back up and restore data on Windows

• Configure Windows Hello

• Use Windows Hello with a screen reader

• Use a screen reader to navigate sign in options in Windows

The Time and language section includes settings for date and time, language and region, typing, and speech (your device's language and voice options). You can adjust the time zone, enable automatic updates for time settings, configure preferred display languages, and manage input and speech preferences.

Additionally, the typing settings allow you to personalize your typing experience with features such as autocorrect, text suggestions, and multilingual input options. The Windows typing and speech features enhance your typing efficiency by providing insights such as spelling and grammar corrections, predictive text suggestions, and more, improving your overall productivity.

Steps to navigate Time and Language settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Time and Language," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for managing time settings, language preferences, and speech configurations.

To explore some commonly used time and language settings such as date and time, language and region, typing, and speech, refer to the following articles:

• How to set your time and time zone

• Enable text suggestions in Windows

• Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows

• Use voice recognition in Windows​​​​​​​

The Gaming section allows you to customize settings for an enhanced gaming experience, including configuring the Game bar for capturing and sharing gameplay, managing Captures for recording and saving your location, and enabling Game mode to optimize system performance during gaming sessions.

Steps to navigate Gaming settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Gaming," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for customizing the Game Bar, adjusting capture settings, and enabling Game Mode.

To explore some commonly used gaming settings such as game mode and game bar, refer to the following articles:

• Use Game Mode while gaming on your Windows device

• Customize Game Bar on Windows devices

The Accessibility section provides a range of settings designed to make Windows easier to use. The system organizes these settings into three main sections:

1. Vision: This section includes options to adjust text size, enable visual effects, customize the mouse pointer and touch indicator, configure the text cursor, use the Magnifier, apply color filters, activate contrast themes, and use the Narrator screen reader.

2. Hearing: This section offers settings for managing audio related options, configuring hearing devices, and enabling captions.

3. Interaction: This section allows customization of speech, keyboard, mouse, and eye control for more efficient device interaction.

Steps to navigate Accessibility settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Accessibility," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore the available settings for vision, hearing, and interaction features.

For more information about Accessibility settings such as text size, color filters, text cursor, hearing devices, speech, keyboard, and mouse, refer to the following articles:

• Make it easier to focus on tasks

• Make Windows easier to hear

• Make Windows easier to see

• Change the size of text in Windows

• Set up voice access

• Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use

• Use a screen reader and keyboard to navigate the Windows Accessibility Flyout

• Get started with eye control in Windows

The Privacy and security section allows you to manage your device's data privacy and security features. This includes settings for app permissions, where you can control what information apps can access, and Windows security, which helps protect your device with tools such as antivirus, firewall, and device encryption.

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Privacy and security," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow key to explore options for managing privacy preferences and enhancing your device's security.

To know more about Privacy and security settings, refer to following articles:

• Use a screen reader and keyboard to navigate privacy settings in Windows

• General privacy settings in Windows

• Microsoft Privacy Statement

The Windows Update section allows you to manage updates for your device, ensuring it stays secure and runs efficiently. You can check for updates, adjust update preferences, and manage advanced options, such as update pauses and delivery optimization.

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Press Down arrow key until you hear "Windows Update," then press Enter.

3. Use the Up or Down arrow keys to explore options for managing update settings and scheduling restarts.

For more information about Windows Update settings such as install Windows update, refer to the following articles:

• Use a screen reader to check and run Windows updates

• Install Windows Updates

• Windows Update Delivery Optimization and privacy

• Join the Windows Insider Program and manage Insider settings

The System section in the Settings app allows you to manage essential features such as display, sound, notifications, storage, and power settings, ensuring your device runs smoothly and efficiently.

Steps to navigate System settings

1. Open the Settings app, then press Tab key until you hear "System," and press Enter.

2. Use the arrow keys to explore options for managing display, sound, notifications, power, and storage settings.

To explore some commonly used system settings such as display, clipboard, notifications, screensharing and projecting, and power management, check out the following articles:

• Change display brightness and color in Windows

• Change notification and quick settings in Windows

• Using the clipboard

• Screen mirroring and projecting to your PC or wireless display

• Share things with nearby devices in Windows

The Bluetooth and devices section lets you manage devices connected to your computer, including wireless peripherals such as mouse, keyboards, speakers, headphones, and more.

Steps to navigate Bluetooth and devices settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Devices," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore available options for connecting, removing, or managing devices.

To explore some commonly used device settings, such as mouse and keyboard, refer to the following articles:

• Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use

• Use a screen reader to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows

The Mobile devices section allows you to manage settings for connected mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This includes configuring features such as mobile hotspot, syncing, and tethering options to integrate your mobile device with your PC.

Additionally, this section includes the Phone Link feature, which allows you to connect your Android or iPhone to your PC.

For more information, refer to Use a screen reader to navigate Phone Link.

Steps to navigate Mobile Devices settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to the System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Mobile devices," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore available options for managing mobile device connections and settings.

The Network and Internet section allows you to manage your device's connectivity, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile hotspots, and airplane mode settings.

Additionally, this section includes settings for dial-Up connections, which allow you to configure and edit dial-up connections directly within the Settings app. Improvements have been made to dial-up settings to allow for making changes and managing the connections inside of the Settings app.

Steps to navigate Network and Internet settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Network and Internet," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for connecting to networks, troubleshooting connectivity issues, or managing data usage.

For information on how to connect to a Wi-Fi network, refer to Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows. And Setting up a wireless network in Windows.

The Personalization section allows you to customize the appearance of your device, including themes, backgrounds, colors, lock screen, taskbar settings, and more. These features enable you to create a unique and visually appealing desktop experience tailored to your preferences.

You can also manage Text Input settings to personalize your on-screen keyboard and typing insights, optimizing the typing experience to suit your needs. The Fonts section lets you view installed fonts or add new ones, allowing further customization of the text style across your device.

Additionally, personalization settings include features such as Interactive Weather on Lock Screen and Desktop Spotlight, offering options to enhance your lock screen with real-time weather updates or rotating images and details. If you want to adjust how you use your device to get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations within Microsoft experience, navigate the Device Usagesettings in the Settings app for further customization options.

Steps to navigate Personalization settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigateusing arrow keys until you hear "Personalization," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for updating your device's look and feel to suit your preferences.

To explore some commonly used personalization settings such as lock screen, refer to the following articles:

• Personalize your lock screen

• Make Windows easier to see

• Personalization based on your device usage settings and your privacy

• Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Windows Desktop

• Control your Dynamic Lighting devices in Windows

• Change display brightness and color in Windows

The Apps section allows you to manage the programs installed on your device. This includes uninstalling and managing apps and setting default programs. This section provides access to configuring Offline Maps, which let you download maps for use without an internet connection, and Apps for Websites, where you can control which apps open web links.

Additionally, the Startup settings enable you to manage which apps launch automatically when your device starts, helping to optimize performance.

Steps to navigate Apps settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Apps," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for managing your installed apps, advanced app settings, and startup behavior.

To explore some commonly used apps settings such as Uninstall apps, startup configuration, and offline maps, refer to the following articles, refer to the following articles:

• Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows

• Configure startup applications in Windows

• Find your way with Maps

The Accounts section allows you to manage user accounts, sign-in options, and account preferences. You can choose to sign in with a personal, work, or school account, ensuring seamless access to resources and settings across devices.

This section provides options to enhance security by customizing sign-in methods such as Windows Hello (facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN), traditional passwords, and security keys. Additionally, you can configure email and account settings for connected apps, enabling the synchronization of emails, calendars, and contacts.

You can also use the Windows Backup settings within this section to back up your important files, preferences, and settings to the cloud, ensuring you can restore them easily on a new or existing device.

Steps to navigate Accounts settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Accounts," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options related to account.

To explore some commonly used account settings such as sign in options, backup and restore data, refer to the following articles:

• Use a screen reader to back up and restore data on Windows

• Configure Windows Hello

• Use Windows Hello with a screen reader

• Use a screen reader to navigate sign in options in Windows

The Time and language section includes settings for date and time, language and region, typing, and speech (your device's language and voice options). You can adjust the time zone, enable automatic updates for time settings, configure preferred display languages, and manage input and speech preferences.

Additionally, the typing settings allow you to personalize your typing experience with features such as autocorrect, text suggestions, and multilingual input options. The Windows typing and speech features enhance your typing efficiency by providing insights such as spelling and grammar corrections, predictive text suggestions, and more, improving your overall productivity.

Steps to navigate Time and language settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Time and language," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for managing time settings, language preferences, and speech configurations.

To explore some commonly used Time and language settings such as date and time, language and region, typing, and speech, refer to the following articles:

• How to set your time and time zone

• Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows​​​​​​​

• Use voice recognition in Windows

The Gaming section allows you to customize settings for an enhanced gaming experience, including configuring the Game Bar for capturing and sharing gameplay, managing Captures for recording and saving your location, and enabling Game Mode to optimize system performance during gaming sessions.

Steps to navigate Gaming settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Gaming," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for customizing the Game Bar, adjusting capture settings, and enabling Game Mode.

To explore some commonly used gaming settings, such as game mode and game bar, refer to the following articles:

• Use Game Mode while gaming on your Windows device

• Customize Game Bar on Windows devices

The Ease of Access section provides a range of settings designed to make Windows easier to use. The system organizes these settings into three main sections:

1. Vision: This section includes options to adjust text size, enable visual effects, customize the mouse pointer and touch indicator, configure the text cursor, use the Magnifier, apply color filters, activate contrast themes, and use the Narrator screen reader.

2. Hearing: This section offers settings for managing audio related options, configuring hearing devices, and enabling captions.

3. Interaction: This section allows customization of speech, keyboard, mouse, and eye control for more efficient device interaction.

Steps to navigate Ease of Access settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Ease of Access," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore the available settings for vision, hearing, and interaction features.

For more information about Ease of Access settings such as text size, color filters, text cursor, hearing devices, speech, keyboard, and mouse, refer to the following articles:

• Make it easier to focus on tasks

• Make Windows easier to hear

• Make Windows easier to see

• Change the size of text in Windows

• Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use

• Use a screen reader and keyboard to navigate the Windows Accessibility Flyout

• Get started with eye control in Windows

The Search section allows you to customize how Windows searches for files and information on your device. You can configure search locations by managing Find My Files, control the storage and use of data for searches by managing permissions and history.

Steps to navigate Search settings

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Search," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for managing file search preferences, permissions, and history.

The Privacy section allows you to manage your device's data privacy and security features. This includes settings for App Permissions, where you can control what information apps can access.

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Privacy," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for managing privacy preferences and enhancing your device's security.

To know more about Privacy settings, refer to following articles:

• Use a screen reader and keyboard to navigate privacy settings in Windows

• General privacy settings in Windows

• Microsoft Privacy Statement

The Update and Security section allows you to manage updates for your device, ensuring it stays secure and runs efficiently. You can check for updates, adjust update preferences, and use Windows security, which helps protect your device with tools such as antivirus, firewall, and device security.

1. Open the Settings app and use Tab key to move the focus to System settings.

2. Navigate using arrow keys until you hear "Update and security," then press Enter.

3. Use the Tab and arrow keys to explore options for managing update settings and scheduling restarts.

For more information about Update and security settings such as install Windows update, refer to the following articles:

• Use a screen reader to check and run Windows updates

• Install Windows Updates

• Use a fix-it tool with Windows 10

• Windows Update Delivery Optimization and privacy

• Join the Windows Insider Program and manage Insider settings ​​​​​​​