Final answer:
The Windows feature for managing system settings and configurations is the Control Panel. Unlike APIs, Task Manager, or System Preferences, the Control Panel provides a centralized location for a wide range of system adjustments on Windows.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Windows feature that allows users to change, configure, monitor, or troubleshoot most system settings, hardware, and software is the Control Panel. The Control Panel acts as a central hub for various system settings and configurations, such as user accounts, display settings, hardware devices, internet and network connections, and installed programs. It is different from other options provided like the Application Programming Interface (API) which is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications, the Task Manager which is used to view and manage the processes running on your computer, and System Preferences which is actually a term more commonly associated with macOS, not Windows.