Control Panel is a part of the operating system

The Control Panel is the centralized configuration area in Windows computers, laptops, and tablets. It helps you adjust nearly every aspect of the operating system, including keyboard and mouse function, passwords and users, network settings, power management, desktop backgrounds, sounds, hardware, program installation and removal, speech recognition, and parental control.

How to Access the Control Panel

Think of Control Panel as the place to go in Windows if you want to change something about how it looks or works. In recent versions of Windows, Control Panel resides in the Windows System folder or category in the Apps listing. In other versions, open the Start menu and then choose Control Panel, or Start > Settings > Control Panel.

See How to Open Control Panel for detailed, OS-specific directions.

Although it's not an "official" way to open and use the options in Control Panel, there's also a special folder you can make called GodMode that gives you all the same Control Panel features but in a simple one-page folder.

How to Use the Control Panel

The Control Panel itself is really just a collection of shortcuts to individual components called Control Panel applets. Therefore, to use Control Panel really means to use an individual applet to change some part of how Windows works.

If you're looking for a way to access the areas of Control Panel directly, without first going through the program, see our List of Control Panel Commands in Windows for the commands that start each applet. Since some applets are shortcuts to files with the CPL file extension, you can point directly to the CPL file to open that component.

For example, control timedate.cpl works in some versions of Windows to open the Date and Time settings, and control hdwwiz.cpl is a shortcut to Device Manager.

The physical location of these CPL files, as well as folders and DLLs that point to other Control Panel components, are stored in the Windows Registry HKLM hive, under \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\; the CPL files are found in \Control Panel\Cpls and all the rest are in \Explorer\ControlPanel\Namespace.

Control Panel Views

The applets in Control Panel display in two major ways: by category or individually. All Control Panel applets are available either way, but you may prefer one method of finding an applet over the other:

• Windows 11, 10, 8 & 7: Control Panel applets display by Category, which groups them together logically, or in the Large icons or Small icons view, which lists them individually.
• Windows Vista: The Control Panel Home view groups applets, while the Classic View shows each applet individually.
• Windows XP: Category View groups the applets, and Classic View lists them as individual applets.

Generally, the category views tend to give a bit more explanation about what each applet does, but sometimes makes it hard to get right to where you want to go. Most people prefer the classic or icon views of Control Panel, since they learn more about what the various applets do.

Control Panel Availability

Control Panel is available in nearly every Microsoft Windows version including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 95, and more.

Throughout the history of Control Panel, components were added and removed in every newer version of Windows. Some components were even moved to the Settings app and PC Settings in Windows 11/10 and Windows 8, respectively.

Even though Control Panel is available in almost every Windows operating system, significant differences in the number and scope of applets occur from one Windows version to the next.

Thanks for letting us know!

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

Subscribe

Control panel refers to the Windows graphical user interface that lets users view and use the system settings through applets, allowing them to add hardware and software, delete software, control user accounts and edit accessibility options.

So, in a nutshell, it is essentially a software module designed for carrying out management and administrative tasks and to offer access to some software features.

What is a control panel used for?

It is used to carry out essential functions on your website through a graphical user interface.
The control panel has been made to configure and administer the different aspects of Windows such as the functions of the mouse and keyboard, setting passwords and power options, desktop backgrounds, display settings and audio settings, software and hardware options, setting up and deleting programs, speech recognition, parental controls etc.

How does the control panel work?

The panel comprises multiple individual components or applets. So, using the control panel is more like using individual utilities to modify ways in which certain functions of Windows are carried out. The panel is therefore essentially a part of your hosting service but also comes bundled with the operating systems. You will find examples of hardware control panels in keyboards and mouse, display etc. and software control panels such as Date and Time, Fonts, Power Options, Administrative Tools etc.

Each tool and utility has its own code running in the background. While most control panels are part of the Windows operating system, others may be set up using third party applications. When you install a new mouse for instance in the computer, it may carry with it a CD to set up control panels specific to that mouse. There are graphic cards too which may install additional controls for giving users more control over the machine’s visual settings. No matter where the control panel is set up, you will find them located in the Control Panel folder.

Control Panel in a computer

If you have a Windows desktop, the control panel is a part of the OS. You can undertake critical admin-level functions with proper access to the system. The dashboard appears as shown below on a Windows 10 computer.

What benefits can you enjoy with a control panel?

• When you have a control panel, you do not need software that may unnecessarily clutter your computer. The cPanel for example will let you access a website from anywhere in the world using a browser. You can then upload and download system files depending on your needs. It is fast and efficient and most importantly, space-saving.

• Compared to traditional terminals, the control panel is preferable because of the statistical tools it offers. These will help you stay informed about those who access your website, their locations and the duration for which your site is being accessed.

• It is easy to install software with a control panel. You can therefore add, delete and edit web applications seamlessly. For instance, you can easily add forums and shopping carts, image galleries and billing software and even CMS like WordPress.

Factors to consider while choosing a control panel

You may not be able to choose a control dashboard on your computer. Most computers have their own control dashboards and are irreplaceable. However, on a hosting platform, you do have a plethora of choices.

Once you have got a satisfactory explanation of what is the control panel, then you would worry about the factors to worry about while choosing the one for your website. Let’s review those factors that contribute to the features of the control panel so that you get to have the best use of a control panel-– Costing- Costing is one of the major factors, so never opt for a control panel without reviewing your budget.

– UI- UI or User Interface is appealing for the visitors to your website. So the UI of your control panel must be user-friendly and easy to understand on the first counter.

– Overall features- What is the work of a control panel depends a lot on the overall features it holds. The features available on the control panel is the answer to explain the control panel.– Support- The choice of your control panel very much depends on the quality of its community support.

– Available documentation- The documentation available with your control panel must be very understandable and should cover each of the features and specifications of your control panel.

– Updates- The use of a control panel is only justified if it keeps on updating frequently.

– The OS- Not all control panels are suitable for all kinds of operating systems. Hence, check for the most appropriate control panel as per your operating system.

Is Control Panel a operating system?

Which operating system is the part of Control Panel?

What is a Control Panel called?

What is included in Control Panel?