What Control Center is and why you might want to change it

Control Center is the quick-access panel on your computer where you toggle settings without opening the full Settings app. On Windows 11, it's the panel that slides in from the bottom right when you click the network, sound, or battery icon. On Mac, it's the menu in the top right corner with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, and brightness controls. Both let you adjust the most-used settings in seconds.

You might want to edit Control Center because the default layout includes things you never use and hides things you change constantly. If you're always adjusting brightness but never touch Bluetooth, customizing Control Center saves you clicks every single day. The process is straightforward on both systems, though the steps differ.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 Control Center lets you add, remove, and reorder quick settings by opening Settings, going to System > Notifications, and clicking "Quick Settings".
  • Mac Control Center customization happens in System Settings under Control Center, where you can hide items, show items, and change which menu they appear in.
  • Both systems let you keep the settings you use most visible and remove clutter from the ones you rarely touch.
  • Changes take effect when ready, so you can test your layout and adjust it again if needed.

Customizing Control Center on Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start button and type "Settings". In the left sidebar, click System, then scroll down and click Notifications. Near the bottom of that page, you'll see a section called "Quick Settings". Click the link that says "Manage quick settings".

You'll now see two columns: "Add quick settings" on the left and "Currently in Control Center" on the right. The right column shows what's already visible when you open Control Center. To add something, click the plus icon next to it in the left column. To remove something, click the minus icon next to it in the right column. You can also drag items in the right column to reorder them — the top items appear first when you open Control Center.

Common settings people add are "Battery Saver", "Airplane Mode", and "Do Not Disturb". Common ones people remove are "Nearby Sharing" and "Focus" if they don't use those features. Your changes save automatically, and Control Center updates the next time you open it.

Customizing Control Center on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Control Center. You'll see a list of every item that can appear in Control Center, with toggles next to each one.

Items with the toggle switched on appear in your Control Center menu. Items with the toggle switched off are hidden. Some items also have a dropdown menu next to them that says either "Control Center" or "Menu Bar". If it says "Menu Bar", that item appears in the top menu bar instead of Control Center. You can click the dropdown to move an item between the two locations.

For example, if you want Bluetooth visible in Control Center but not in the menu bar, make sure the toggle is on and the dropdown says "Control Center". If you want it only in the menu bar, set the dropdown to "Menu Bar" and turn the toggle off. This is useful if you have limited space in Control Center but still want quick access to certain settings.

Deciding which settings to keep visible

The best Control Center layout depends on what you actually change during the day. If you work in different locations, brightness and volume are worth keeping visible. If you use Bluetooth headphones or a mouse, Bluetooth belongs in Control Center. If you're always switching between work and personal focus modes, keep Focus visible.

Settings you should almost never remove are the ones for connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane Mode. These are the ones you might need to toggle in an emergency or when something stops working. Everything else is optional and depends on your habits.

A good test is to watch what you actually click on for a week. If you never touch a setting, remove it. If you find yourself wishing something was easier to reach, add it. You can change your mind anytime, so don't overthink it.

Reordering Control Center on Windows

Windows lets you control the order in which quick settings appear. The ones at the top of the "Currently in Control Center" list appear first when you open the panel. If you use Battery Saver constantly, drag it to the top so it's the first thing you see.

To reorder on Windows, go back to Settings > System > Notifications > Manage quick settings. In the "Currently in Control Center" column on the right, click and drag any item up or down. The order updates when ready. Most people put their most-used settings at the top and less-used ones lower.

What happens if you remove something by accident

On Windows, if you remove a quick setting and want it back, open Settings > System > Notifications > Manage quick settings again. Find it in the "Add quick settings" column on the left and click the plus icon. It reappears in Control Center, usually at the bottom of the list.

On Mac, if you hide a Control Center item by accident, go back to System Settings > Control Center and toggle it back on. It returns to its previous location. There's no penalty for adding and removing things, so you can experiment without worry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different Control Center layouts for different users on the same computer?

Yes. Each user account has its own Control Center settings. If you share a computer, each person can customize their Control Center independently. Changes one person makes don't affect the others.

Why is a setting grayed out or missing from the list?

Some settings only appear if the hardware exists. For example, Bluetooth won't show up if your computer doesn't have a Bluetooth chip. On Windows, some settings may be hidden by your system administrator if the computer is managed by a workplace or school.

Can I add custom shortcuts or apps to Control Center?

Windows and Mac Control Center are limited to built-in system settings. You can't add custom shortcuts or launch apps directly from Control Center. However, both systems let you pin apps to your taskbar or dock for quick access instead.

Does customizing Control Center affect performance?

No. Changing which settings appear in Control Center has no effect on your computer's speed or how much memory it uses. It's purely a visual and convenience change.