No option to open Device and Printers in control panel in Windows 11 22h2

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Anonymous
2022-10-06T16:29:13+00:00

In previous versions of windows 11 and windows 10, I was able to access the devices and printers options from control panel instead of settings. Now the devices and printers from control panel opens the settings, which lack some options, especially the option to turn on or off handsfree telephony for Bluetooth devices. Is there anyway to access this option in windows 11 22h2?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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Answer accepted by question author
Ramesh 181.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2022-10-06T16:38:35+00:00

Hi there,

In Windows 11 22H2 and higher, the old Devices and Printers interface can still be accessed by running the following command from the Run dialog.

  • shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}

For other methods to open the classic Devices and Printers applet, see:


Optionally, you can add "Devices and Printers (Classic)" to the Control Panel.

Download devices-and-printers-classic-cpl.reg and apply the REG file.

You'll see the following option in the Control Panel.

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46 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-14T16:30:28+00:00

    This is, without a doubt, the absolute most USELESS and unnecessary change to the entirety of the Windows OS evolution...and I've been doing this since DOS 3. So that is saying something. To have to type, in the Run feature, something as STUPID as "shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}" is about the most confounding waste of time ever. Either Microsoft makes TWO different OS's, one for home and one for BUSINESS, or stop making dumb changes that HIDE what most of us have been doing for decades. The whole "Control Panel > Going through Hardware and Sound" is just as dumb. Simply SMH at this mess.

    I'm piloting Windows11 for my business and this actually might be a deal breaker to stay on Windows10 for as absolutely long as I can. That or until I replace everything with Linux when Microsoft stumbles...like doing other stupid things like renaming to "Entra." What's that about.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-17T15:21:40+00:00

    How do, you find These, I need more of this cause every time Microsoft discovers they left a way for people to use the old menu they remove it. But people who work in it can do our jobs without some of these old features.

    It is regrettable that Microsoft and the other major players no longer respect the old IBM rule that the new versions of their previous software are fully BACK COMPATIBLE. Instead, their developers are obsessed with fashion-driven innovation to introduce new shortcuts and “gestures”.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T20:48:02+00:00

    How do you find These, I need more of this cause every time Microsoft discovers they left a way for people to use the old menu they remove it. But people who work in it can do our jobs without some of these old features.

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