Control Panel (Windows)

Last updated

Control Panel
Developer(s) Microsoft
Initial release1985;39 years ago (1985)
Operating system Microsoft Windows
Successor Settings (Windows)
Type Control panel

Control Panel is a component of Microsoft Windows that provides the ability to view and change system settings. It consists of a set of applets that include adding or removing hardware and software, controlling user accounts, changing accessibility options, and accessing networking settings. Additional applets are provided by third parties, such as audio and video drivers, VPN tools, input devices, and networking tools.

Contents

Overview

Control Panel has been part of Microsoft Windows since Windows 1.0, [1] with each successive version introducing new applets. 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 Windows ME and XP, the Control Panel home screen was changed to present a categorized navigation structure reminiscent of navigating a web page. Users can switch between this Category View and the grid-based Classic View through an option that appears on either the left side or top of the window. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, additional layers of navigation were introduced, and the Control Panel window itself became the main interface for editing settings, as opposed to launching separate dialogs.

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. The Control Panel can be accessed from a command prompt by typing control; optional parameters are available to open specific control panels. [2]

On Windows 10, Control Panel is deprecated in favor of Settings app, which was originally introduced on Windows 8 as "PC settings" to provide a touchscreen-optimized settings area using its Metro-style app platform. Some functions, particularly the ability to add and remove user accounts, were moved exclusively to this app on Windows 8 and cannot be performed from Control Panel. [3] [4]

As of the October 2020 update to Windows 10, opening up the System applet in Control Panel will now redirect users to the About section of the Windows 10 Settings application. The page for the applet in Control Panel still exists even in current versions of Windows 10, however Microsoft is actively trying to block shortcuts and third party applications that could have been used to get into the old System page, which could potentially lead to a permanent removal of said page from Control Panel in future versions of Windows.[ citation needed ]

List of Control Panel applets

The applets listed below are components of the Microsoft Windows control panel, which allows users to define a range of settings for their computer, monitor the status of devices such as printers and modems, and set up new hardware, programs and network connections. Each applet is stored individually as a separate file (usually a .cpl file), folder or DLL, the locations of which are stored in the registry under the following keys:

  1. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Cpls
    This contains the string format locations of all .cpl files on the hard drive used within the control panel.
  2. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ControlPanel\Namespace
    This contains the location of the CLSID variables for all the panels not included as cpl files. These are commonly folders or shell applets, though Windows Vista allows physical programs themselves to be registered as well. The CLSID then allows items such as the icon, infobox and category to be set and gives the location of the file to be used.

The control panel then uses these lists to locate the applets and load them into the control panel program (control.exe) when started by the user. In addition to using the control panel, a user can also invoke the applets manually via the command processor. For instance, the syntax "Control.exe inetcpl.cpl" or "control.exe /name Microsoft.InternetOptions" will run the internet properties applet in Windows XP or Vista respectively. While both syntax examples are accepted on Windows Vista, only the former one is accepted on Windows XP. [5]

Standard applets

Accessibility options (Access.cpl)(control /name microsoft.easeofaccesscenter)
(Renamed "Ease of Access Center" in Windows Vista and later)
Allows users to configure the accessibility of their PC. It comprises various settings primarily aimed at users with disabilities or hardware problems.
  • The behavior of the keyboard can be modified, this is aimed at people who have difficulty pressing key-combinations, or pressing a key just once. ( StickyKeys , FilterKeys and ToggleKeys)
  • Behavior of sounds can be modified. (SoundSentry and ShowSounds)
  • High contrast mode can be activated.
  • The keyboard cursor can be customized.
  • The pointer can be controlled using the keyboard. ( MouseKeys )

Note that in Windows Vista onwards, the Ease of Access control panel superseded the old access.cpl control panel applet found in previous versions.

Add New Hardware (hdwwiz.cpl)
Launches a wizard which allows users to add new hardware devices to the system. This can be done by selecting from a list of devices or by specifying the location of the driver installation files.
Add or Remove Programs (appwiz.cpl)
(Renamed "Programs and Features" in Windows Vista and later)
The Add/Remove Programs dialog allows the user to manipulate software installed on the system in a number of ways;
  • Allows users to uninstall and change existing software packages, as well as indicating how much space individual programs take and how frequently they are used.
  • Allows users to manually install software from a CD-ROM or floppy disk, and install add-ons from Windows Update.
  • Allows users to change which Windows components are installed, via the Windows setup Wizard, which includes Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger
  • Finally, it allows users to specify the default applications for certain tasks, via the 'set program access and defaults' wizard, such as internet browsers, media players and email programs and whether access to these programs is available (since Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 3 and Windows XP Service Pack 1)
Administrative Tools (control admintools)
Contains tools for system administration, including security, performance and service configuration. These are links to various configurations of the Microsoft Management Console such as the local services list and the Event Viewer.
Automatic Updates (wuaucpl.cpl)
This is used to specify how the Automatic Updates client (wuauclt.exe) should download updates from the Microsoft Update Website, by default this is set to download and install daily, however this can be changed to a more suitable frequency. This also allows the user to specify whether to ask permission before downloading and/or installing updates or to simply switch off Automatic Updates altogether.

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 (Sysdm.cpl)
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;
  • Allowing users to change fingerprint data.
  • Allowing users to change behaviour on fingerprint detected.

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;
  • Allowing users to create incoming and outgoing 'virtual' COM Ports, which allow devices to have dedicated connections to the system.
  • Allowing users to specify general Bluetooth characteristics such as whether the computer is discoverable and the computer's name which is broadcast.

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:

IconFile nameDescription
AC3 Filterac3filter.cplConfigures speaker configuration and other parameters of the AC3 decoder filter.
Adobe GammaAdobe Gamma.cplFor altering the screen display with Adobe Systems Imaging Software such as Photoshop.
Adobe Version Cue CS2VersionCueCS2.cplTo configure Adobe Version Cue.
Application pathsapppaths.cplSets application paths, start-up commands and system services, coded by Gregory Braun.
ATI DVD PlayerQISWCINE.CPLChanges settings for your DVD decoding.
AudioHQAudHQ.cplCreative Labs Soundblaster Audio HQ.
Autodesk Plotter Managerplotman.cplAdds, remove and changes plotters properties for AutoCAD products.
AvantGo Connectagcpl.cplSynchronizes mobile versions (called "channels") of websites to a smartphone or PDA, see AvantGo.
Avira AntiVir PersonalEditionavconfig.cplConfigures Avira Antivirus program.
BACKPACK Finderbpcpl.cplTo configure the Micro Solutions BackPack CD driver.
BDE Administratorbdeadmin.cplTo configure the Borland Database Engine.
Boot Camp Control PanelSetting for Mac OS X based computers.
Broadcom Advanced Control SuiteBACSCPL.cplEnables Broadcom network cards testing and diagnostics.
CD/DVD Drive Acoustic SilencerTOSCDSPD.cplConfigures the rotation speed of CD/DVD drive. (Toshiba )
ClearCasecc.cplTo configure IBM Rational ClearCase.
Color Settings3dcc.cplChanges the look and feel of Windows.
Compaq Diagnosticscpqdiag.cplTo view information a computer's hardware and software configuration, legacy application.
Control Panelcontrolp.cplControl Panel Customization Toy, coded by Ali Lokhandwala.
Control Version Systemcvsnt.cplControl Panel Customization Toy, by Brian Berliner. david d 'zoo' zuhn, Jeff Polk, Tony Hoyle
Creative Element Power ToolsTo configure Creative Element Power Tools, a free-to-try program providing access to additional Windows tools.
Corel Versionsverscpl.cplConfigures Corel versions.
DANSdanetsvc.cplConfigures the Shaffer Solutions DiskAccess Network Services, NFS client for Windows.
Diagnostics for Windowscpqdiag.cplHP Diagnostics for Windows 4.15 replaces Compaq
Digidesign ElevenRackDigidesignElevenRackControlPanelApplet.cplLaunch Eleven Rack Control Panel
DiskAccessdacfg.cplConfigures how the Shaffer Solutions DiskAccess makes connections to remote NFS servers.
DS18x AppletDS18xCPL.cpl MR Soft DS18x Temperature Logging Service.
Flash PlayerFlashPlayerCPLApp.cplFor changing settings for the Flash Player.
Folder sizeFolderSize.cplFolder Size for Windows shows the size of folders in Windows Explorer.
FirebirdSQL Service Managerfmmgr.cplConfigures Firebird (database server) service options.
HP Jetadminjetadmin.cpl HP Jetadmin configures and monitors HP printers.
HP LockHplock.cplA Windows 95 utility to lock the PC keyboard, mouse and on/off switch in one click on legacy HP Vectra.
IconPackageripcpl.cplTo customize Windows icons and cursors, see IconPackager.
ImDisk Virtual Disk Driverimdisk.cplAdministration of ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver.
InstallShield Update Managerisuspm.cplThe InstallShield Update Manager allows users to receive program updates and messages from software makers who use the service.
Intel Extreme Graphicsigfxcpl.cplTo change advanced settings on systems using Intel GPUs.
Intel Product Improvement ProgramexecutableInstalled with Intel Driver Update Utility version 2.4 (on Vista and up)
IP Office Voicemail Proims.cplTo configure Avaya IP Office Voicemail Pro.
Javajpicpl32.cplFor changing settings with Java Runtime Console.
JInitiator 1.x.y.zplugincpl1xyz.cplTo configure Oracle's JInitiator, note x.y.z are version numbers.
MailMLCFG32.cplLaunches the Microsoft Outlook Profile Manager.
MSConfigMSConfig.cplLaunches the Microsoft System Configuration Utility.
Multi-fingerETDUI.cplCustomize the Smart-Pad Multi-finger Setting.
MultiSitems.cplTo configure IBM Rational ClearCase Multisite.
Nero BurnRightsNeroBurnRights.cplFor specifying who is allowed to use the CD burner with Nero.
nVIDIA Control panelnvidia.cplTo change advanced settings on systems using nVIDIA GPUs.
Panda Media BoosterPMB.cplPanda Media Booster cache and network settings.
Parallel Port JoysticksPPjoy.cplConfigures Joysticks connected on the Parallel Port.
Pointer Devicestbctlpnl.cplTo configure the Touch-Base Universal Pointer Device Driver (UPDD).
QuickTimequicktime.cplFor specifying settings of the Apple QuickTime Player.
RealPlayerprefscpl.cplTo configure the RealPlayer preferences, older versions.
Realtek AC97 Audio Control Panelalsndmgr.cplTo configure the Realtek audio controller.
Realtek HD-Audio ManagerRTSnMg64.cplTo launch the Realtek HD-Audio Manager
RESTrick Control Panelrest2.cplWindows Tuning and system restrictions setup, by Rtsecurity.
Safarpsafarp.cpl Safarp is a small and fast alternative to the Add or Remove Programs applet.
ScrewDrivers Clientsdclient.cplFrom Tricerat, remote desktop print management solution.
Send To Toyssendtotoys.cplTo configure the Send To right click system menu in Microsoft Windows.
Services and Devicespserv.cplFrom p-nand-q to manage Windows services and devices and uninstall applications.
Softex OmniPassscurecpl.cplSoftex OmniPass provides password management capabilities to MS Windows.
SNTP Servicesntpserv.cplFrom Dillobits Software, to manage the SNTP client service.
Soundscapescurecpl.cplAdds, removes or changes settings of Soundscape devices.
Startupstartup.cplControl programs that run at system start-up, coded by Mike Lin.
Startup DiskStartup Disk.cplBoot Camp drivers, when Windows runs on a Mac OS virtual machine.
Symantec LiveUpdates32lucp2.cplConfigures the Symantec LiveUpdate update service.
System Change Logscl.cplFrom Greyware Automation Products, monitors disks for changes and records a detailed log.
System InformationSancpl.cplLaunches SiSoftware Sandra utility.
System Info for Windowssiw.cplLaunches the SIW application.
Trust-No-Exetrustnoexe.cplConfigures the Beyond Logic Trust-No-Exe executable filter.
VMware ToolsVMControlPanel.cplTo configure VMware Tools.
WIBU-KEYwibuke32.cplTo configure the WIBU-KEY Software Protection.
Winlogoswnlgo.cplTo change the Windows start-up and shutdown screens in Windows 98 or ME, coded by Ali Lokhandwala.
X-Setup ProxqdcXSPApplet.cplLaunches X-Setup Pro, a Windows tweaker application.

Related Research Articles

In computing, a symbolic link is a file whose purpose is to point to a file or directory by specifying a path thereto.

NTLDR is the boot loader for all releases of Windows NT operating system from 1993 with the release of Windows NT 3.1 up until Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. From Windows Vista onwards it was replaced by the BOOTMGR bootloader. NTLDR is typically run from the primary storage device, but it can also run from portable storage devices such as a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, or floppy disk. NTLDR can also load a non NT-based operating system given the appropriate boot sector in a file.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Registry</span> Database for Microsoft Windows

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. The kernel, device drivers, services, Security Accounts Manager, and user interfaces can all use the registry. The registry also allows access to counters for profiling system performance.

AutoRun and the companion feature AutoPlay are components of the Microsoft Windows operating system that dictate what actions the system takes when a drive is mounted.

AutoPlay, a feature introduced in Windows 98, examines newly discovered removable media and devices and, based on content such as pictures, music or video files, launches an appropriate application to play or display the content. It is closely related to the AutoRun operating system feature. AutoPlay was created in order to simplify the use of peripheral devices – MP3 players, memory cards, USB storage devices and others – by automatically starting the software needed to access and view the content on these devices. AutoPlay can be enhanced by AutoPlay-compatible software and hardware. It can be configured by the user to associate favourite applications with AutoPlay events and actions.

System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corrupted Windows system files.

In computing, SUBST is a command on the DOS, IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows and ReactOS operating systems used for substituting paths on physical and logical drives as virtual drives.

As the next version of Windows NT after Windows 2000, as well as the successor to Windows Me, Windows XP introduced many new features but it also removed some others.

Compared with previous versions of Microsoft Windows, features new to Windows Vista are very numerous, covering most aspects of the operating system, including additional management features, new aspects of security and safety, new I/O technologies, new networking features, and new technical features. Windows Vista also removed some others.

In Windows Shell programming, the Windows Shell namespace is an organized tree-structured hierarchical representation that Windows Explorer facilitates to graphically present file system contents and other objects to the end user. Conceptually, the Shell namespace may be regarded as a larger and more inclusive version of the file system.

The Windows shell is the graphical user interface for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Its readily identifiable elements consist of the desktop, the taskbar, the Start menu, the task switcher and the AutoPlay feature. On some versions of Windows, it also includes Flip 3D and the charms. In Windows 10, the Windows Shell Experience Host interface drives visuals like the Start Menu, Action Center, Taskbar, and Task View/Timeline. However, the Windows shell also implements a shell namespace that enables computer programs running on Windows to access the computer's resources via the hierarchy of shell objects. "Desktop" is the top object of the hierarchy; below it there are a number of files and folders stored on the disk, as well as a number of special folders whose contents are either virtual or dynamically created. Recycle Bin, Libraries, Control Panel, This PC and Network are examples of such shell objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">User Account Control</span> Security software

User Account Control (UAC) is a mandatory access control enforcement feature introduced with Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems, with a more relaxed version also present in Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows 11. It aims to improve the security of Microsoft Windows by limiting application software to standard user privileges until an administrator authorises an increase or elevation. In this way, only applications trusted by the user may receive administrative privileges and malware are kept from compromising the operating system. In other words, a user account may have administrator privileges assigned to it, but applications that the user runs do not inherit those privileges unless they are approved beforehand or the user explicitly authorises it.

The booting process of Microsoft Windows varies between different releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft PowerToys</span> Set of freeware system utilities developed by Microsoft

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities designed for power users developed by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization. PowerToys are available for Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10 and Windows 11. The PowerToys for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License and hosted on GitHub.

Windows Vista contains a range of new technologies and features that are intended to help network administrators and power users better manage their systems. Notable changes include a complete replacement of both the Windows Setup and the Windows startup processes, completely rewritten deployment mechanisms, new diagnostic and health monitoring tools such as random access memory diagnostic program, support for per-application Remote Desktop sessions, a completely new Task Scheduler, and a range of new Group Policy settings covering many of the features new to Windows Vista. Subsystem for UNIX Applications, which provides a POSIX-compatible environment is also introduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disk Cleanup</span> Computer maintenance utility

Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) is a computer maintenance utility included in Microsoft Windows designed to free up disk space. It was introduced in Windows 98 and has been a part of Microsoft Windows ever since.

powercfg is a command-line utility that is used from an elevated Windows Command Prompt to control all configurable power system settings, including hardware-specific configurations that are not configurable through the Control Panel, on a per-user basis. It was first introduced by Microsoft in Windows XP SP2 in 2004.

References

  1. ↑ "A history of Windows". Windows. Microsoft. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Accessing the Control Panel via the Commandline". Microsoft. August 29, 2011.
  3. ↑ Bradley, Tony (July 6, 2012). "Adding and Managing Users in Windows 8". PC World . IDG . Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ Bright, Peter (March 25, 2013). "Windows Blue leaks: More Metro, more multitasking". Ars Technica . Condé Nast . Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ "How to run Control Panel tools by typing a command". Support. Microsoft . Retrieved February 26, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.