Control Panel Quick Access

Control Panel is full of specialized tools that are used to change the way Windows looks and behaves.

Control Panel is very useful for any new Hardware Connections as it installs the driver files for the particular hardware etc..

Control Panel applications end with .cpl extensions. Thus for quick access Click Start --> Run.. or Win + R to get the Run Window

If You type the following commands then you can get to the particular application very quickly..


ac3filter.cpl :

AC3 Filter - Configures speaker configuration and other parameters of AC3 decoder filter


access.cpl :

Accessibility Options - used for adjusting computer settings(vision, hearing, mobility)


appwiz.cpl :

Add/Remove Programs - installs or remove programs and windows component.


timedate.cpl :

Date And Time Settings


hdwwiz.cpl :

Add Hardware Wizard - Installs hardware


bthprops.cpl :

Bluetooth Properties


desk.cpl :

Display Properties - changes the appearance of user Desktop


firewall.cpl :

Firewall Properties - Configures the Windows Firewall


joy.cpl :

Game Controllers - Add/Remove games based hardware like joystick,gamepads etc..


inetcpl.cpl :

Internet Options - Configure Internet Connections, here the history and cookies etc can be flushed or the cache is being refreshed here..


main.cpl :

Mouse Properties


main.cpl keyboard :

Keyboard Properties


ncpa.cpl :

Network Connections - connects to other PC, networks and the Internet.


netsetup.cpl :

Launches the Network Setup Wizard


powercfg.cpl :

Power Options - configures the energy-saving settings for your PC


intl.cpl :

Regional and Language Options


mmsys.cpl :

Sound and Audio Devices Properties


sysdm.cpl :

System Properties


telephon.cpl :

Telephone and Modem Properties


nusrmgr.cpl :

User Accounts - Change user accounts settings and passwords.


irprops.cpl :

Wireless Link - set up or add to a wireless network of users home or office.


Here some of the other commands which must be preceded by 'control '..


admintools - Administrative Tools ( type 'control admintools' in Run Window)

panel - Control Panel

desktop - Desktop Properties

color - Desktop Appearances Properties

fonts - Fonts Folder (type 'control fonts' or simply 'fonts' in the Run Window)

printers - Printers Folder

schedtasks - Schedule Tasks

userpasswords2 - User Accounts Advanced settings

userpasswords - User Passwords

Thus by using the keywords in Run Window users can access control panel applications quickly..