Control panel (software)

Many computer user interfaces utilize a control panel metaphor to allow the user control of software and hardware features.

Different types

• In Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Control Panel is where various computer settings can be modified.
• In Macintosh operating systems prior to Mac OS X, a control panel served a similar purpose.
• In web hosting, browser-based control panels, such as CPanel and XPanel, are used to manage servers, web services and users.
• There is different control panels in free desktops, like GNOME, KDE, Webmin...