Understanding the Control Panel

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated November 26, 2018)

1

Windows is a complicated operating system that attempts to be as user-friendly as it can. Part of the attempt includes allowing you to modify the user interface and settings by which Windows does its work. The central place where you can make changes to the settings that Windows relies upon is in an area known as the Control Panel.

To display the Control Panel on a Windows 7 system, simply click the Start button and then click Control Panel.

If you are using Windows 8, displaying the Control Panel is a bit more complex. For that version of the operating system, see the tip entitled Displaying the Windows 8 Control Panel.

If you are using Windows 10, perhaps the easiest way to display the Control Panel is to type "control panel" (without the quotes) in the search bar. Windows will then display the Control Panel app. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Windows Control Panel

Virtually everything you see in the Control Panel is a link to a place where you can make the changes you desire. All you need to do is figure out what you want to do, and then click the link that leads to where that task can be accomplished.

Many of the tips published in WindowsTips rely upon adjusting things in the Control Panel.

 This tip (10709) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Word's Object Model

Understanding Word's Object Model and how it relates to macros in VBA.

Discover More

Choosing an Insert Method for Pictures

The way that you choose to add pictures to your document can have an effect on the file size of those documents. It is ...

Discover More

Disabling Dragging and Dropping

Excel allows you to easily paste information into a worksheet, including through simply dragging and dropping the ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Putting the Control Panel on the Desktop

The desktop is designed to hold all your most commonly accessed programs, files, and folders. If you access the Control ...

Discover More

Using the Control Panel to Remove Programs

Removing programs that you no longer need can help to free up system resources and keep your system clean and running ...

Discover More

Changing Control Panel Views

The Control Panel is an important "dashboard" that leads you to various system-related applications. There are a few ways ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 + 8?

2018-11-28 12:18:23

LD

thanks for this tip. To me, it is just strange that you have to type 'Control Panel' in 10. When you click on the Start button, wouldn't it jsut make sense to include 'Control Panel' as one of the choices you can click on?

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.