Control Panel

Control Panel is a part of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface which allows users to view and change basic system settings and controls, such as adding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user accounts, and changing accessibility options. Additional applets can be provided by third party software.

History[]

The Control Panel has been part of the Microsoft Windows operating system since its first release (Windows 1.0), with many of the current applets being added in later versions. Beginning with Windows 95, the Control Panel is implemented as a special folder, i.e. the folder does not physically exist, but only contains shortcuts to various applets such as Add or Remove Programs and Internet Options. Physically, these applets are stored as .CPL files. For example, the Add or Remove Programs applet is stored under the name appwiz.cpl in the system32 folder.

In recent versions of Windows, the Control Panel has two layouts: Category View and Classic View. It is possible to switch between these through an option on the left side of the window. In Windows XP and Windows Vista, the size of icons in Classic View can be changed as with other folders. In Windows 7 and later versions, only Large icons and Small icons are available.

Many of the individual Control Panel applets can be accessed in other ways. For instance, Display Properties can be accessed by right-clicking on an empty area of the desktop and choosing Properties.

Starting with Windows 8, various options in the Control Panel have been removed from the interface, and instead placed in the Settings app. However, as of Windows 11's release, the Control Panel has not yet been completely superseded.

Technical details[]

The folder's view can be forced to display a Classic or Category view using the following RegKey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explore\ForceClassicControlPanel

Its GUID is {21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} and it can therefore also be opened by running ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} and other folders can assume the role of the Control Panel if named Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}.