Windows 11 24H2 changes how you interact with the Quick Settings panel, affecting both customization and daily use. The update removes the familiar pencil icon for editing, introducing a new method for rearranging the panel and limiting the ability to add or remove tiles. This shift streamlines the interface but also restricts certain personalization options users relied on in earlier versions.

Reordering Quick Settings Tiles Using Drag and Drop

Step 1: Open the Quick Settings panel by clicking the network, sound, or battery icon at the bottom right of the taskbar. Alternatively, press Windows + A to bring up the panel instantly.

Step 2: Locate the quick settings tiles (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, etc.) arranged in a grid. In Windows 11 24H2, you will notice the absence of the pencil (edit) icon that previously allowed for more direct customization.

Step 3: To reorder the tiles, click and hold any tile with your mouse, then drag it to your preferred position. Release the mouse button to drop the tile in place. This action allows you to prioritize the most-used settings by moving them to the top row, making them immediately accessible when opening the panel.

Step 4: If you have more tiles than can fit in the initial view, use the scroll bar or mouse wheel to navigate through additional rows. The panel is now scrollable rather than resizable, and all available tiles are displayed within this scrollable area.

This drag-and-drop approach is now the only supported method for customizing the order of quick settings tiles in Windows 11 24H2.

Limitations on Adding or Removing Quick Settings Tiles

Unlike previous Windows 11 releases, version 24H2 removes the option to add or remove individual quick settings tiles directly from the panel. The pencil icon, which previously enabled users to enter edit mode and select which settings to display, is no longer present. This means you cannot hide unused tiles or add new ones from a list of available options through the panel interface.

Some users may find this change restrictive, especially if they have tiles for features they never use, such as Airplane Mode on a desktop PC. The only workaround is to move less-used tiles to the bottom of the list, effectively hiding them from the initial view but not removing them entirely.

For advanced users and system administrators, there are Group Policy or registry tweaks that can simplify the Quick Settings layout, but these are not officially documented for all editions and may not provide granular control. For example, enabling "Simplify Quick Settings Layout" in Group Policy can reduce the number of visible tiles after a reboot, but this is more of a workaround than a true customization method.

Accessing and Using Features Within Quick Settings

The Quick Settings panel provides access to a variety of system controls, including:

  • Turning Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, and Battery Saver on or off.
  • Managing Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth devices directly from their respective tiles.
  • Controlling brightness and volume using the provided sliders.
  • Opening the full Windows Settings app by clicking the gear icon at the bottom of the panel.
  • Accessing accessibility features such as Magnifier, Color Filters, Narrator, Mono Audio, and Snap Assist via the Accessibility submenu.
  • Adjusting camera studio effects and selecting audio output devices where supported.

While you cannot remove or add tiles, you can still quickly access these features, and reordering tiles helps keep your most-used settings at the top for faster access.

Troubleshooting and Additional Tips

If the Quick Settings panel does not open, try restarting Windows Explorer from the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then right-click Windows Explorer and choose "Restart"). If you are missing expected features, ensure your system is updated to the latest Windows 11 24H2 build, as some changes may not appear until after a full update or reboot.

For users seeking to restore the ability to add or remove tiles, there is currently no supported method in 24H2. Providing feedback to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub may help influence future updates, especially if this limitation impacts your workflow.

Reordering quick settings tiles in Windows 11 24H2 is now limited to drag-and-drop, with no built-in option to add or remove tiles. Keeping your most-used settings at the top streamlines daily tasks, but full customization is no longer available in this release.