Windows 11’s Settings app has an About page that lists all the System Properties of your PC. The page includes basic system specifications, the Windows OS version, edition, and build info. Users will sometimes need to look at its info to check how their PCs match up with a program's system requirements before installing it
The slow way to open System Properties is to navigate through Settings. However, it’s better to set up shortcuts that open the System Properties info directly. This is how you can create different types of About page shortcuts in Windows 11.
How to Add a System Properties Shortcut to the Desktop
The desktop area is where most users stick their shortcuts. This makes it a prime place to include a System Properties shortcut alongside other shortcuts, like the Recycle Bin. You can set up a System Properties desktop shortcut in about one minute like this:
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Right-click any part of the Windows desktop area to select the New submenu.
- Select Shortcut to bring up a wizard for adding shortcuts to the desktop.
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Input the following command in the location box:
explorer.exe ms-settings:about
- Press Next to bring up the wizard’s last step.
- Erase the default shortcut title and input System Properties to replace it.
- Select Finish to add the System Properties shortcut to Windows’ desktop.
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Double-click the System Properties desktop shortcut to view the About page in Settings.
The System Properties shortcut will have a folder icon because its target location includes explorer.exe. You can add a more appropriate computer icon by right-clicking the shortcut and selecting Properties > Change icon. Choose the PC icon, and click OK > Apply to save.
How to Add a System Properties Shortcut to Windows 11’s Start Menu and Taskbar
Setting up a desktop shortcut will enable you to add the About page to the Start menu and taskbar. Add a System Properties shortcut to the desktop as covered for the previous method, and then right-click it to select Show more options. You can select Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start menu options from the classic menu.
When you’ve pinned that shortcut, you’ll see its icon on the taskbar or the front of the Start menu depending on the option selected. You don’t need to keep the System Properties shortcut on the desktop after pinning it to the taskbar or Start menu. To remove the desktop one, right-click its icon and select the trash can (Delete) option.
How to Set Up a System Properties Hotkey
You can assign a hotkey for opening System Properties to its desktop shortcut. However, it’s slightly pointless doing so when Windows 11 already has a keyboard shortcut that opens the About page. Press the Windows + Pause Break keys at the same time to bring up the About page in Settings.
However, not all keyboards include the Pause Break key these days. Some companies (such as Dell) have ditched Pause Break on their keyboard models. If you can’t find a Break button to press, set up a custom System Properties hotkey like this:
- Go through the steps for the first method in this guide to create a System Properties shortcut on your desktop.
- Click the About page desktop shortcut with the right mouse button and select Properties.
- Then select the box labeled "Shortcut key" by clicking inside it.
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Press S (for system) to establish a Ctrl + Alt + S keyboard shortcut for opening the About page.
- Click the window’s Apply button to set the hotkey.
- Exit the properties window for the About page shortcut by clicking Close.
Pressing the Ctrl + Alt + S hotkey will now open the system property details in Settings. Don’t forget that the About page hotkey depends on its desktop shortcut. Erasing the System Properties desktop shortcut will also remove the key combination added to it.
How to Add a System Properties Shortcut to Windows 11's Desktop Context Menu
The desktop context menu is an undeniably handy right-click menu that can include all kinds of custom shortcuts. An option for opening System Properties would be a nice addition to that menu. You can set up such a shortcut by creating and a registry script that adds a Windows.SystemProperties key to the registry in the following steps:
- Press the Win + S keyboard shortcut to open Windows Search.
- Type in a Notepad keyword in the file search box and select the result.
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Then copy this text for your System Properties registry script by selecting it and pressing Ctrl + C:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Windows.SystemProperties]
"CanonicalName"="{43D4846B-3DFE-4949-8BB7-8E5AC3964575}"
"CommandStateHandler"="{E410F8AE-00A1-4A1B-8247-924705718354}"
"CommandStateSync"=""
"Description"="@shell32.dll,-31295"
"FolderHandler"="{0AC0837C-BBF8-452A-850D-79D08E667CA7}"
"Icon"="shell32.dll,-16778"
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-31294"
"VerbHandler"="{4c202cf0-c4dc-4251-a371-b622b43d592b}"
"VerbName"="SystemProperties"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Windows.SystemProperties\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{E410F8AE-00A1-4A1B-8247-924705718354}" -
To input the script into Notepad, select the Edit and Paste options.
- Select File on Notepad’s menu bar.
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Click the Save as option to bring up a window for saving files.
- Then select the All files option you'll find on the Save as type menu.
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Input System Properties.reg in the name text box and save it to the Desktop.
Now, double-click the System Properties.reg script file saved on your desktop to run it. Select Yes to confirm you’re sure about executing the registry script (don’t worry, we’ve checked it).
Now go see your new System properties context menu option. Press the Shift + F10 hotkey to bring up the classic context menu on the desktop (or right-click and select Show more options). Then select System properties from there to view the About page.
If you change your mind about having a System Properties option on the context menu, you can remove the shortcut by deleting its registry key. To do that, open the Windows Registry Editor (check out our guide for opening Regedit for more info). Go to this Windows.SystemProperties registry key location:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Windows.SystemProperties
Eradicate the Windows.SystemProperties key by right-clicking it and selecting a Delete context menu option. A Confirm Key Delete dialog box will open requesting confirmation. Select Yes if you’re sure you’ve selected the right key to delete.
Set Up Shortcuts for a More Direct System Properties Access
Those are four good ways you can make System Properties info more directly accessible in Windows 11. You can immediately open the About page whenever needed with a desktop, taskbar, Start menu, keyboard, or context menu shortcut. Add whatever type of shortcut for opening System Properties you prefer.