Control Panel (Windows)
Y
Removed in Windows 10, and moved to the Settings App. |- !Date and Time (timedate.cpl) |- |Allows user to change the date and time stored in the machine's BIOS, change the time zone and specify whether to synchronize the date and time with an Internet Time Server and which server to use. |- !Display (control desktop) (desk.cpl) (Renamed "Personalization" in Windows Vista, 7 and 8.1) |- |Allows the user to change the display characteristics of their computer;
- Allows users to change the desktop background (wallpaper) to a picture of their choice and specifies how it should be shown.
- Allows the user to change or disable the screensaver, and specify how long it takes to activate and whether to ask for a password on resume
- Allows the user to specify the color styles of all elements within the system, primarily whether to use the Windows XP / Vista styles (blue by default in XP) or to use the classic Windows 98 / 2000 / Me styles, this also allows the user to change the My Computer and Recycle Bin icons.
- Allows the user to change the screen resolution and colour quality, and provides trouble shooting advice for displays.
Removed in Windows 10 and moved to the Settings App. |- !Folder Options (control folders) (rundll32.exe shell32.dll, Options_RunDLL 0) |- |This item allows for configuration of how folders and files are presented in Windows Explorer. More specifically it allows the user to specify general settings like whether folders open in a new window or the existing window and whether the common tasks pane is shown, as well as more advanced tasks such as whether windows should hide critical system files and whether to show file extensions. It is also used to modify file type associations in Windows; i.e., which program opens which type of file and other settings like actions for each file type and the file extension. |- !Fonts (control fonts) |- |Displays all fonts installed on the computer. Users can remove fonts, install new fonts or search for fonts using font characteristics. Note that "explorer \Windows\Fonts" has the same effect. This still exists on Windows 10, but there is a similar page in Settings starting from the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. |- !Internet Options (inetcpl.cpl) |- |Allows the user to change the way the computer manages internet connections and browser settings for Internet Explorer, it has several tags specifying different attributes;
- General – This specifies the homepage and color schemes and allows the user to delete internet usage history.
- Security & Privacy – These specify whether the computer should allow websites to undertake certain processes and download cookies, this panel also gives access to the inbuilt pop-up blocker (Windows XP SP2 and later) and the phishing controls (Internet Explorer 7).
- Content – Allows the parental controls and auto-complete to be configured and also specifies how to deal with certificates.
- Connections, Programs and Advanced – These give access to other aspects of internet settings such as the default modem connection and email client, proxy settings and other advanced configurations.
|- !Game controllers (joy.cpl) (control /name microsoft.gamecontrollers) |- |Allows one to add, display, troubleshoot, and use advanced settings on joysticks and game controllers and connect to other type of game controllers.
Moved to the Settings app on Windows 10 Anniversary Update. |- !Keyboard (control keyboard) (main.cpl) |- |Lets the user change and test keyboard settings, including cursor blink rate and key repeat rate. |- !Mail (mlcfg32.cpl) (mlcfg.cpl) |- |Mail allows for configuration of the mail client in Windows. Microsoft Outlook Express cannot be configured with this item; it is configured through its own interface. mlcfg.cpl is used for 64 bit office applications first available with the Office 2010 release. |- !Mouse (control mouse) (main.cpl) |- |Mouse allows the configuration of pointer options, such as the double click and scroll speed, and includes visibility options such as whether to use pointer trails and whether the pointer should disappear when typing. This also allows the user to specify the pointer appearance for each task, such as resize and busy. |- !Network Connections (control netconnections) (ncpa.cpl) |- |Displays and allows the user to edit or create network connections such as Local Area Networks (LAN) and internet connections. It also offers troubleshooting functions in case the computer has to be reconnected to the network. |- !Phone and Modem Options (telephon.cpl) |- |Manages telephone and modem connections. |- !Power Options (powercfg.cpl) |- |Includes options to manage energy consumption such as;
- Specify how long it takes to switch off the display and hard drives and how long it takes for the system to enter standby, if at all.
- To decide what to do when the computer's on/off button is pressed, such as whether to shut down or to enter standby.
- Whether to allow Hibernation (some systems become unstable when restarting).
- Allows the user to configure UPS (if available).
- Since Windows Vista, additional hidden power options are available for fine tuning power features.
|- !Printers and Faxes (control printers) (control /name microsoft.devicesandprinters) |- |Displays all the printers and faxes currently installed on the computer, and has two main uses;
- Firstly, it shows all the jobs queued for each printer, the file size and status of each job and which user they belong to, it also allows each job to be paused, canceled or moved up or down the list.
- Secondly, it allows the user to set the printing or faxing preferences, such as paper size and quality via the manufacturers own preferences pane and also specifies how to share the printer across a computer network, the device drivers, ports etc.
|- !Regional and Language Settings (intl.cpl) aka Regional and Language Options |- |Various regional settings can be altered, for instance:
- The way numbers are displayed (e.g. decimal separator).
- How Currency values are displayed, including the currency symbol.
- Time and date notations, such as the date separator and whether the clock should be in 12 or 24 hours.
- Cultural location of the user's computer (The time zone is set in Date and Time).
- Language;
- Input language.
- Keyboard layout (mapping between key strokes and characters).
- Display language for Menus and Dialog Boxes.
- Whether files necessary for Asiatic language support must be installed.
- Installed code pages.
Removed in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update and moved to Settings App.
|-
!Security Center or Action Center (Windows 7 & 8.x) (wscui.cpl)
Renamed "Security & Maintenance" in Windows 10
|-
|First added in Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Security Center gives the user access to the inbuilt Windows security components, as well as providing information about any existing antivirus software such as McAfee or Zone Alarm. It includes access to Windows Update, where users can specify whether the computer should check for updates regularly (also available through the Windows Update panel), and options for managing internet security settings. It also includes links to internet articles about PC security and current virus threats and notifies the user when the PC's security is compromised.
|-
!Sounds and Audio Devices (mmsys.cpl)
|-
|This panel contains various audio-related functions;
- Change the speaker volume and type and specify whether to show the volume icon in the notification area.
- Change the sounds played for the system or specific programs when a certain event occurs, i.e. Windows Startup or Critical Stop.
- Change default devices for music playback, recording, voice recognition, MIDI etc.
- Change the Sound card settings and whether to use Hardware acceleration.
- Display the audio devices installed on the computer, and allows them to be configured.
|- !Speech (Sapi.cpl) |- |This applet has two main functions, the first is specify settings for Speech synthesis, allowing the user to select the voice the computer should use to narrate text and how fast it should read. The second is to specify settings for Speech recognition, allowing the user to set up different profiles detailing how the computer should deal with an individual's dialect, for instance;
- The amount of grammatical errors in a person's voice (punctuality sensitivity).
- The speed at which the person speaks, and the time delay between words.
This also allows the user to access the voice recognition training wizard, in which an individual 'teaches' the computer to recognize a person voice interactively using the microphone.
|-
!Stored User Names and Passwords (keymgr.dll) (control.exe /name microsoft.credentialmanager)
(Renamed "Credential Manager" in Windows 7 and later)
|-
|This is used to view and edit logon credentials for servers, websites and programs.
|-
!System (<span id="-
!Date and Time (timedate.cpl)
">SysY
Removed in Windows 10, and moved to the Settings App. Template:Visible anchor: too many anchors, maximum is 10.) |- |This is used to view and change core system settings, a user can for instance:
- Display general information on the user's machine such as the amount of RAM, CPU speed and type, the version of Windows the system is using and the manufacturer.
- Edit the computer name in a network workgroup.
- Manage and Configure hardware devices, and view information such as the manufacturer, user access and driver version of any hardware device installed on the system via Device Manager.
- Enable/Disable system features such as automatic updates and System restore monitoring.
- Specify advanced features such as performance logs, virtual memory settings and roaming profiles.
Moved to the Settings App on Windows 10, but the shortcut still exists. Clicking on it goes to the Settings App. |- !Taskbar and Start Menu (rundll32.exe shell32.dll, Options_RunDLL 1) |- |Allows the user to change the behavior and appearance of the task bar and Start Menu;
- Specifies whether to use Windows XP/Vista or Classic 9x/2000/Me styles on the taskbar and start menu (in versions of Windows prior to 7).
- Whether the taskbar should Auto-Hide.
- Whether to show the clock in the notification area.
- Allows the user to manage the tray icons.
- Advanced options such as whether to show Printers & Faxes in the start menu and whether to display My Documents as a menu or as a link to a new window.
Moved to the Settings App on Windows 10, but the shortcut still exists. Clicking on it goes to the Settings App. |- !User Accounts (control userpasswords) (nusrmgr.cpl) |- |This allows the user to configure their account and other accounts used in the system, should they have sufficient privileges. They can change their username, password, their account picture (if enabled), and their .NET Passport (in versions of Windows prior to Vista). If the current user has an administrator account they can also add, delete, and modify other user accounts as well as make changes to core system settings. This panel also specifies whether or not the guest account should be active and (in Windows XP only) whether or not to use the Welcome screen when Windows loads.
This panel is not available in Windows Server 2003, where the syntax "control userpasswords" will instead run the Local Users and Groups utility. |- !Users and Passwords (control userpasswords2) (rundll32.exe netplwiz.dll, UsersRunDll) |- |This is the legacy user account utility that was first introduced in Windows 2000 Professional. This allows the user to configure their account and other accounts used in the system, change their .NET Passports (in versions of Windows prior to Vista), as well as configuring autologin settings. This panel also specifies whether or not to press Ctrl+Alt+Del before login.
This panel is not available in the Windows 2000 Server family, where it will instead run the Local Users and Groups utility. |}
Peripheral devices
These are options in the control panel that show devices connected to the computer. They do not actually offer a direct interface to control these devices, but rather offer basic tasks such as removal procedures and links to wizards (Printers & Faxes is an exception). Such applets include Scanners and Cameras, Game Controllers, and Portable Media Devices.
Other Microsoft-distributed applets
| Biometric Devices (biocpl.dll) |
|---|
Available with Fingerprint enabled systems running 7 or later, this enables users to configure a Fingerprint reader, showing a list of all Biometric devices interacting with the system, in addition to the following items;
Moved to Settings on Windows 10. |
| Bluetooth Devices (bthprops.cpl) |
Available with Bluetooth enabled systems running XP SP2 or later, this enables users to configure a Bluetooth connection, showing a list of all Bluetooth devices interacting with the system, in addition to the following items;
Moved to Settings on Windows 10. |
| Color (color.cpl) |
| Enables a more advanced control of color settings within Windows than is available in 'display', suitable for developers and visual specialists it allows users to create and load International Color Consortium compliant color profiles, associate screen color with printers and cameras and view a 3D graphics plot of the color gamut. By default this applet is not installed, however it can be installed for free from the Microsoft Website. |
| Infrared (irprops.cpl) |
| Similar to the Bluetooth applet, this is used to configure how the computer manages any wireless infrared ports installed, including options such as connectivity and security. |
| Location and Other Sensors (SensorsCpl.dll) |
| Manages Location based data like addresses and other location based sensors. Available in Windows 7 & 8.x only. |
| CSNW (nwc.cpl) |
| The Client Service for NetWare applet is used to select a default tree and context in a Novell Directory Services (NDS) environment, or the NetWare server used most frequently in a non-NDS environment.
Requirement: Installing the Client Service for NetWare. |
| Software Explorers |
| Part of User Account Control, allows users to view detailed information about software that is currently running on the computer that can affect the users' privacy or the security of the computer.
Replaced by Windows Defender Security Center on Windows 10. |
Third-party applets
Third-party software vendors have released many applets. Although it is impossible to mention all of them, some of them are listed here:
| Icon | File name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AC3 Filter | ac3filter.cpl | Configures speaker configuration and other parameters of the AC3 decoder filter. |
| Adobe Gamma | Adobe Gamma.cpl | For altering the screen display with Adobe Systems Imaging Software such as Photoshop. |
| Adobe Version Cue CS2 | VersionCueCS2.cpl | To configure Adobe Version Cue. |
| Application paths | apppaths.cpl | Sets application paths, start-up commands and system services, coded by Gregory Braun. |
| ATI DVD Player | QISWCINE.CPL | Changes setings for your DVD decoding. |
| AudioHQ | AudHQ.cpl | Creative Labs Soundblaster Audio HQ. |
| Autodesk Plotter Manager | plotman.cpl | Adds, remove and changes plotters properties for AutoCAD products. |
| AvantGo Connect | agcpl.cpl | Synchronizes mobile versions (called "channels") of websites to a smartphone or PDA, see AvantGo. |
| Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition | avconfig.cpl | Configures Avira Antivirus program. |
| BACKPACK Finder | bpcpl.cpl | To configure the Micro Solutions BackPack CD driver. |
| BDE Administrator | bdeadmin.cpl | To configure the Borland Database Engine. |
| Boot Camp Control Panel | Setting for Mac OS X based computers. | |
| Broadcom Advanced Control Suite | BACSCPL.cpl | Enables Broadcom network cards testing and diagnostics. |
| CD/DVD Drive Acoustic Silencer | TOSCDSPD.cpl | Configures the rotation speed of CD/DVD drive. (Toshiba ) |
| ClearCase | cc.cpl | To configure IBM Rational ClearCase. |
| Color Settings | 3dcc.cpl | Changes the look and feel of Windows. |
| Compaq Diagnostics | cpqdiag.cpl | To view information a computer's hardware and software configuration, legacy application. |
| Control Panel | controlp.cpl | Control Panel Customization Toy, coded by Ali Lokhandwala. |
| Control Version System | cvsnt.cpl | Control Panel Customization Toy, by Brian Berliner. david d 'zoo' zuhn, Jeff Polk, Tony Hoyle |
| Creative Element Power Tools | To configure Creative Element Power Tools, a free-to-try program providing access to additional Windows tools. | |
| Corel Versions | verscpl.cpl | Configures Corel versions. |
| DANS | danetsvc.cpl | Configures the Shaffer Solutions DiskAccess Network Services, NFS client for Windows. |
| Diagnostics for Windows | cpqdiag.cpl | HP Diagnostics for Windows 4.15 replaces Compaq |
| Digidesign ElevenRack | DigidesignElevenRackControlPanelApplet.cpl | Launch Eleven Rack Control Panel |
| DiskAccess | dacfg.cpl | Configures how the Shaffer Solutions DiskAccess makes connections to remote NFS servers. |
| DS18x Applet | DS18xCPL.cpl | MR Soft DS18x Temperature Logging Service. |
| Flash Player | FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl | For changing settings for the Flash Player. |
| Folder size | FolderSize.cpl | Folder Size for Windows shows the size of folders in Windows Explorer. |
| FirebirdSQL Service Manager | fmmgr.cpl | Configures Firebird (database server) service options. |
| HP Jetadmin | jetadmin.cpl | HP Jetadmin configures and monitors HP printers. |
| HP Lock | Hplock.cpl | A Windows 95 utility to lock the PC keyboard, mouse and on/off switch in one click on legacy HP Vectra. |
| IconPackager | ipcpl.cpl | To customize Windows icons and cursors, see IconPackager. |
| ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver | imdisk.cpl | Administration of ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver. |
| InstallShield Update Manager | isuspm.cpl | The InstallShield Update Manager allows users to receive program updates and messages from software makers who use the service. |
| Intel Extreme Graphics | igfxcpl.cpl | To change advanced settings on systems using Intel GPUs. |
| Intel Product Improvement Program | executable | Installed with Intel Driver Update Utility version 2.4 (on Vista and up) |
| IP Office Voicemail Pro | ims.cpl | To configure Avaya IP Office Voicemail Pro. |
| Java | jpicpl32.cpl | For changing settings with Java Runtime Console. |
| JInitiator 1.x.y.z | plugincpl1xyz.cpl | To configure Oracle's JInitiator, note x.y.z are version numbers. |
| MLCFG32.cpl | Launches the Microsoft Outlook Profile Manager. | |
| MSConfig | MSConfig.cpl | Launches the Microsoft System Configuration Utility. |
| Multi-finger | ETDUI.cpl | Customize the Smart-Pad Multi-finger Setting. |
| MultiSite | ms.cpl | To configure IBM Rational ClearCase Multisite. |
| Nero BurnRights | NeroBurnRights.cpl | For specifying who is allowed to use the CD burner with Nero. |
| nVIDIA Control panel | nvidia.cpl | To change advanced settings on systems using nVIDIA GPUs. |
| Panda Media Booster | PMB.cpl | Panda Media Booster cache and network settings. |
| Parallel Port Joysticks | PPjoy.cpl | Configures Joysticks connected on the Parallel Port. |
| Pointer Devices | tbctlpnl.cpl | To configure the Touch-Base Universal Pointer Device Driver (UPDD). |
| QuickTime | quicktime.cpl | For specifying settings of the Apple QuickTime Player. |
| RealPlayer | prefscpl.cpl | To configure the RealPlayer preferences, older versions. |
| Realtek AC97 Audio Control Panel | alsndmgr.cpl | To configure the Realtek audio controller. |
| Realtek HD-Audio Manager | RTSnMg64.cpl | To launch the Realtek HD-Audio Manager |
| RESTrick Control Panel | rest2.cpl | Windows Tuning and system restrictions setup, by Rtsecurity. |
| Safarp | safarp.cpl | Safarp is a small and fast alternative to the Add or Remove Programs applet. |
| ScrewDrivers Client | sdclient.cpl | From Tricerat, remote desktop print management solution. |
| Send To Toys | sendtotoys.cpl | To configure the Send To right click system menu in Microsoft Windows. |
| Services and Devices | pserv.cpl | From p-nand-q to manage Windows services and devices and uninstall applications. |
| Softex OmniPass | scurecpl.cpl | Softex OmniPass provides password management capabilities to MS Windows. |
| SNTP Service | sntpserv.cpl | From Dillobits Software, to manage the SNTP client service. |
| Soundscape | scurecpl.cpl | Adds, removes or changes settings of Soundscape devices. |
| Startup | startup.cpl | Control programs that run at system start-up, coded by Mike Lin. |
| Startup Disk | Startup Disk.cpl | Boot Camp drivers, when Windows runs on a Mac OS virtual machine. |
| Symantec LiveUpdate | s32lucp2.cpl | Configures the Symantec LiveUpdate update service. |
| System Change Log | scl.cpl | From Greyware Automation Products, monitors disks for changes and records a detailed log. |
| System Information | Sancpl.cpl | Launches SiSoftware Sandra utility. |
| System Info for Windows | siw.cpl | Launches the SIW application. |
| Trust-No-Exe | trustnoexe.cpl | Configures the Beyond Logic Trust-No-Exe executable filter. |
| VMware Tools | VMControlPanel.cpl | To configure VMware Tools. |
| WIBU-KEY | wibuke32.cpl | To configure the WIBU-KEY Software Protection. |
| Winlogos | wnlgo.cpl | To change the Windows start-up and shutdown screens in Windows 98 or ME, coded by Ali Lokhandwala. |
| X-Setup Pro | xqdcXSPApplet.cpl | Launches X-Setup Pro, a Windows tweaker application. |
References
External links
- How to run Control Panel tools by typing a command at Microsoft.com
