It may have a new name, but the Windows Administrative Tools are as useful as they ever were. Here's how to find them on Windows 11.

The Windows Administrative Tools is a collection of tools to better manage your Windows installation. It consists of some basic tools such as the Character Map, Quick Assists, and Control Panel, alongside some advanced tools, including Hyper-V Manager, Event Viewer, and Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

With Windows 11, Microsoft has renamed its Administrative Tools as just "Windows Tools." So, if you are having an issue locating your admin tools, here's how to open Windows Tools in Windows 11.

You can use the classic Run dialog to open Windows Tools. If you memorize the command, this method can be one of the fastest ways to access Windows Tools.

To open Windows Tools using the Run dialog:

While Microsoft is slowly moving away from it, you can still open the Control Panel in Windows 11. It still exists and houses many advanced options, such as Windows Tools.

Here’s how to do it:

Alternatively, you can also search for the tool to access it in the Control Panel. Type windows tools in the Control Panel search bar and click on the appropriate option from the search result to open the Administrative Tools folder.

Windows Search is an extremely handy utility for finding files and apps in Windows 11. Here’s how you can use it to open Windows Tools in Windows 11.

If you prefer to use the Command Prompt, you can use the "control admintools" command to open Windows Tools. However, make sure you open the Command Prompt as an administrator for this method to work properly.

Windows PowerShell shares some commands with the classic Command Prompt. If you prefer PowerShell over Command Prompt, here’s how to open Windows Tools using PowerShell.

You can pin the most frequently used apps to your taskbar in Windows 11. With the app pinned to the taskbar, you can access it with a single click or use the Win + Number shortcut.

To pin Windows Tools to the taskbar:

Alternatively, you can also use the Win + # (where # is the taskbar item number) shortcut to open apps pinned to your taskbar. For example, if you have Windows Tools as the 3rd item in the taskbar, then press Win + 3 to quickly open Windows Tools with a keyboard shortcut.

If you need to access the admin tools frequently, you can create a custom Windows Tools desktop shortcut. This is an easy way to access any app with a double click.

To create a custom Windows Tools desktop shortcut:

The newly created shortcut will appear on your desktop. However, if no desktop shortcuts are visible, make sure you have enabled Show desktop icons for your PC.

Additionally, right-click on the Windows Tools shortcut and select Pin to Start to add the shortcut to the Start menu. You can also copy and paste the shortcut manually to add it to a different location in File Explorer.

Most Windows administrative tools are designed for advanced users and are kept hidden in the Windows Tools folder. You can use the Windows Search feature to access any of the admin tools. If you need to view all the tools, you can find them in the Windows Tools folder.

Apart from the built-in utilities, there are third-party administrator tools that you can use to extend the functionality of your Windows system. These tools consist of FTP solutions, network analyzers, IP scanners, development kits, and remote connection tools in a portable format.

Tashreef is a developer and works as a technical writer at MakeUseOf. With a bachelor's degree in Computer Applications, he has over 5 years of experience and covers Microsoft Windows and everything around it. When not looking for a missing semicolon or churning out text, you can find him trying FPS titles or looking for new animated shows and movies.

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