Microsoft recently published a new webpage called “System configuration tools in Windows” that lists and explains the most important built-in Windows system tools for configuring your PC.
Microsoft describes the purpose of the new webpage:
“This article describes the essential tools that you can use to manage Windows, and each section of this article provides a concise overview of a specific tool. You’ll find a brief description of the tool’s functionality, its applications, and instructions on how to access it. This structured approach ensures that you can quickly identify the tool you need and understand how to use it effectively for your particular requirements.”
For each Windows tool presented on the page, Microsoft offers a brief overview of its functionality, how to use it, and the different methods you can use to launch each tool (e.g., keyboard shortcuts, context menu options, Command Prompt commands, etc.).
The new info page specifically includes these Windows tools: Settings, Task Manager, Computer Management, Event Viewer, Control Panel, System Configuration, System Information, Registry Editor, Local Group Policy Editor, and Advanced System Settings.
Important: Before using any of these system tools, you should familiarize yourself with what they do. Some of them, like the Registry Editor, can seriously harm the stability of your system or even break your PC altogether. Learn more about the deadly sins of Windows that can cause you problems.
These system tools are also accessible in the Windows Tools collection, which you can reach by typing “windows tools” in the Start menu and selecting the Windows Tools option. Or you can manually navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Tools.
The Windows Tools collection has more than what’s listed on Microsoft’s new webpage, but the webpage is still good to read for the explanations and overviews offered for the most important tools.
Further reading: Lesser-known useful Windows keyboard shortcuts
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
Author: Hans-Christian Dirscherl, Managing Editor, PC-WELT
Hans-Christian Dirscherl began his IT life with Autoexec.bat and config.sys, Turbo-Pascal and C, Sinix and Wordperfect. He has been writing on almost all IT topics for around 25 years, covering everything from news to reviews and buying guides.