More Power to You

In a previous tip, we discussed how you can use a really geeky Windows feature that some refer to as "god mode" to give you access to various Control Panel settings. For many power users, this is a must-have resource. What some users do not realize is that this cool little feature isn't the only option available to you. On Windows 10 systems there are 14 additional "god modes" you can use to feel even more powerful.

To use these additional features, you start just as described in the tip mentioned above: Start by creating a regular folder on your desktop. Then rename the folder using any of the strings shown below.

Default Programs.{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}
My Computer.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
Network.{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
All Networks For Current Connection.{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}
Programs and Features.{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}
Power Settings.{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}
Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Icons And Notifications.{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
Firewall and Security.{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}
All NET Frameworks and COM Libraries.{1D2680C9-0E2A-469d-B787-065558BC7D43}
Application Connections.{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}
Administrative Tools.{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
Credentials and Logins.{1206F5F1-0569-412C-8FEC-3204630DFB70}
Speech Recognition.{58E3C745-D971-4081-9034-86E34B30836A}

Those are some formidable looking names, I know. It is important, however, that you use the names exactly as shown. (If you are off by even one character, this won't work.) Remember, as well, that each of these 14 names represents a single folder name. You can use any or all of them; it is up to you.

Once the folder is renamed, when you double click on the folder, an Explorer Window opens with a Control Panel shortcut to the area relating to the first part of the string. The folder essentially contains a list of tools related to the base name of the folder.

Why would you want to create any of these folders? Simply enough, it gives you a fast way to get to the tools you may need as you work with your computer. As discussed in the previously referenced article, you can take these shortcuts an additional step by moving them to a USB flash drive. That way if you are responsible for supporting systems other than your own, you can have access to the tool on any computer into which you plug the USB drive.

 This tip (13743) applies to Windows 10.