Windows Control Panel

Windows Control Panel provides a location from which you can configure the functionality and appearance of your computer i.e. is a section of Microsoft Windows that enables a user to change various computer hardware and software features. Settings for the mouse, display,sound, network, and keyboard represent just a few examples of what may be modified in the Control Panel

How To Access the Control Panel

1.      Click Start.

2.      Click Settings, then Control Panel.

3.      If successful, you should have a window that resembles one of the following images.

Accessing Control Panel from the Windows command line (MS-DOS)

Use the control command to open the Control Panel as well as many of the Control Panel icons from the command line.

Tools/Components displayed in Windows Control Panel

The following table lists some of the more commonly used components/tools and their names, available in Windows Control Panel.

1.      Add or Remove Programs: The Add or Remove Programs applet is used to uninstall or change an installed program, view installed Windows Updates, or turn optional Windows features on or off, and to set default program accesses.

2.      Add Hardware:  The Add Hardware Control Panel applet starts the Add Hardware Wizard which is used to manually install devices which are not automatically recognized by Windows.

3.      Administrative Tools: The Administrative Tools Control Panel applet is basically a shortcut to a folder full of shortcuts to additional tools useful for system administrators and users needing to troubleshoot certain kinds of Windows problems.

4.      Network Connections: to configure firewall, wireless wizard, and set up a network

5.    Date/Time/Language- to set the calendar and keyboard 

6.    User Accounts- to create new accounts and control access through groups 

7.    Appearance and Themes- to configure display options, resolution, taskbar and menus, screen savers, and dual view for multiple monitors

8.    Ease of access : adjust computer settings for vision, hearing and mobility, and use speech recognition  to control computer for with voice commands