5 Ways to Access System Settings on Your Mac
System Settings is where Mac users go to customize their Mac, from setting a wallpaper to managing their iCloud account. As a Mac user, you’ll often find yourself in System Settings for one reason or another. But how do you get there?
You probably have a specific method of getting to System Settings, but did you know there are other ways to access it? Below, we’ll discuss multiple ways to open the System Settings app on your Mac.
1. Search With Spotlight
Spotlight is a hidden gem of a tool in macOS. It’s simple, but there’s a lot you can do with it. You canmake the most out of Spotlight on your Macby learning about what it’s capable of, such as launching System Settings.
PressCommand + Spaceor use your keyboard’s dedicated Spotlight function key to bring up Spotlight. You can also click theSpotlighticon in your Mac’s menu bar. You can alwaysadd the Spotlight icon to your menu barif it isn’t there.
Once Spotlight is open, enterSystemSettingsand press theReturnkey to open System Settings. It’s as quick and easy as that.
2. Use Launchpad
Launchpad is one of theeasiest ways to launch apps on your Mac. To use it to access System Settings, do the following:
Besides accessing System Settings, you canuse Launchpad to do more on your Mac, like creating app folders and deleting apps.
3. The Apple Menu
The Apple menu sits in the top-left of your Mac’s menu bar. You can access it by clicking on theApplelogo. From the dropdown menu, you can log out of a user account, restart, shut down your Mac, or put it to sleep, and access System Settings. However, to access System Settings, click theApplemenu and selectSystemSettingsfrom the dropdown.
4. The Dock
YourMac’s Dockis where your open apps go, as do the apps you add to it. By default, System Settings is in the Dock, so accessing it can be as simple as clicking on theSystem Settingsicon in your Mac’s Dock.
However, if you’ve removed the System Settings app icon from the Dock, you should consider adding it back for quick and easy access from your desktop.
Accessing System Settings through Finder is probably the trickiest of all the methods, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Here’s how to do it:
And there it is. It doesn’t matter what item you click in the PreferencePanes window. You’ll still end up in System Settings. By the way, if you’re using macOS Monterey or older and looking to switch to macOS Ventura, we’ve got aguide to System Settings in macOS Venturathat you should check out.
It Doesn’t Matter How You Get to System Settings
You may not use more than one of these methods, but knowing you have options is nice. Plus, you’re able to always impress friends with your knowledge of multiple ways to access System Settings on a Mac.
Ultimately, your method of getting to System Settings doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you get to System Settings. So, whether it’s the somewhat tricky Finder method or the single-click Dock method, keep using the method that works best for you.
The System Settings app definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and if you’re a long-time Mac user, read this guide to get the hang of it quickly.
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