Change your settings

In Windows 8 and Windows RT, you can adjust and tweak all sorts of things to make it work best for you.

Whether you want to connect to a different wireless network or are just in the mood to tinker with a new app, the Settings charm is your first stop for all things settings–related. You'll find settings for the app you're in, plus a few frequent PC settings—network connection, volume, brightness, notifications, power, and language. The PC settings are the same, no matter where you are in Windows, but the app settings are different in every app.

If you don't find what you're looking for in the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings. You can personalize the Start and lock screens, customize the Search and Share charms, add a device, change your privacy settings, and more.

For even more settings, try Control Panel. You'll find the familiar options for themes and desktop backgrounds, screen resolution, user accounts, Family Safety, and more. To get there, open the Search charm and search for Control Panel.

And in System, you can find info about your PC and your edition of Windows. You can also change your PC's name and join a domain or a workgroup. To get to System, open the Search charm and enter system. Then tap or click Settings, and tap or click System.