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Control Panel Launch Shortcuts

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20 Mar 2014CPOL3 min read 52.6K   33   11
Control panel launch shortcuts for XP, Vista and Windows 7

Introduction

So you want to launch a control panel applet (something like fonts, display property, etc.) through your code. You can do that easily by calling Process.Start() with a parameter in your C# code.

The problem is what do you pass in as your parameter.

That would depend on the OS. For Windows XP, here is the list of shortcuts:

  • Accessibility - Options access.cpl
  • Add New Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl
  • Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
  • Date and Time Properties - timedate.cpl
  • Display Properties - desk.cpl
  • FindFast - findfast.cpl
  • Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl
  • Joystick Properties - joy.cpl
  • Keyboard Properties - main.cpl keyboard
  • Mouse Properties - main.cpl
  • Network Properties - ncpl.cpl
  • Network Setup wizard – netsetup.cpl
  • Password Properties - password.cpl
  • Phone and Modem options - telephon.cpl
  • Power Management - powercfg.cpl
  • Regional settings - intl.cpl
  • Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
  • Sound Properties - mmsys.cpl sounds
  • Sounds and Audio Device Properties - mmsys.cpl
  • System Properties - sysdm.cpl
  • User settings - nusrmgr.cpl

In fact, these shortcuts can also be typed into the command prompt and they launch the respective control panel applet. To launch control panel itself, type in Control in the command prompt.

If you are using Windows Vista, Microsoft recommends that we use a .exe file rather than a .cpl file. More information about that can be found here.

The launch shortcut for Vista has also changed. Here is the new shortcut format - control.exe /name shortcut.

Here is the list of shortcuts for Vista:

  • Microsoft.AddHardware - Microsoft.PenAndInputDevices
  • Microsoft.AdministrativeTools - Microsoft.PeopleNearMe
  • Microsoft.AudioDevicesAndSoundThemes - Microsoft.PerformaceInformationAndTools
  • Microsoft.AutoPlay - Microsoft.Personalization
  • Microsoft.BackupAndRestoreCenter - Microsoft.PhoneAndModemOptions
  • Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption - Microsoft.PowerOptions
  • Microsoft.Bluetooth - Microsoft.Printers
  • Microsoft.CardSpace - Microsoft.ProblemReportsAndSolutions
  • Microsoft.ColorManagement - Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures
  • Microsoft.DateAndTime - Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions
  • Microsoft.DefaultPrograms - Microsoft.ScannersAndCameras
  • Microsoft.DeviceManager - Microsoft.SecurityCenter
  • Microsoft.EaseOfAccessCenter - Microsoft.SpeechRecognitionOptions
  • Microsoft.FolderOptions - Microsoft.SyncCenter
  • Microsoft.Fonts - Microsoft.System
  • Microsoft.GameControllers - Microsoft.TabletPCSettings
  • Microsoft.GetPrograms - Microsoft.TaskbarAndStartMenu
  • Microsoft.GetProgramsOnline - Microsoft.TextToSpeech
  • Microsoft.IndexingOptions - Microsoft.UserAccounts
  • Microsoft.Infrared - Microsoft.WelcomeCenter
  • Microsoft.InternetOptions - Microsoft.WindowsAnytimeUpgrade
  • Microsoft.iSCSIInitiator - Microsoft.WindowsDefender
  • Microsoft.Keyboard - Microsoft.WindowsFirewall
  • Microsoft.MobilityCenter - Microsoft.WindowsSideShow
  • Microsoft.Mouse - Microsoft.WindowsSidebarProperties
  • Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter - Microsoft.WindowsUpdate
  • Microsoft.OfflineFiles - Microsoft.ParentalControls

Update: For Windows 7, try this list.

  • Accessibility Options - control access.cpl
  • Add New Hardware - control sysdm.cpl
  • Add/Remove Programs - control appwiz.cpl
  • Date/Time Properties - control timedate.cpl
  • Display Properties - control desk.cpl
  • FindFast - control findfast.cpl
  • Fonts Folder - control fonts
  • Internet Properties - control inetcpl.cpl
  • Joystick Properties - control joy.cpl
  • Keyboard Properties - control main.cpl keyboard
  • Microsoft Exchange - control mlcfg32.cpl
  • Microsoft Mail Post Office - control wgpocpl.cpl
  • Modem Properties - control modem.cpl
  • Mouse Properties - control main.cpl
  • Multimedia Properties - control mmsys.cpl
  • Network Properties - control netcpl.cpl
  • Password Properties - control password.cpl
  • PC Card - control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA)
  • Printers Folder - control printers
  • Regional Settings - control intl.cpl
  • Scanners and Cameras - control sticpl.cpl
  • Sound Properties - control mmsys.cpl sounds
  • System Properties - control sysdm.cpl

Cheers!

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Software Developer (Senior)
India India

Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Volynsky Alex22-Mar-14 10:45
professionalVolynsky Alex22-Mar-14 10:45 
GeneralGood Target Pin
Amir Mohammad Nasrollahi20-Mar-14 8:19
Amir Mohammad Nasrollahi20-Mar-14 8:19 
Questionwindows CE control panel shortcuts Pin
Behno0o0oD16-Aug-13 17:47
Behno0o0oD16-Aug-13 17:47 
AnswerRe: windows CE control panel shortcuts Pin
Member 127871374-Dec-16 22:33
Member 127871374-Dec-16 22:33 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 nice one.Very useful for Developers. Pin
Nikhil_S26-Feb-12 17:42
professionalNikhil_S26-Feb-12 17:42 
Generalshukria abhi :) Pin
Ankit Maini1-Feb-11 18:58
Ankit Maini1-Feb-11 18:58 
GeneralShuria Abhinav :) Pin
Ankit Maini1-Feb-11 18:57
Ankit Maini1-Feb-11 18:57 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Nice Tip....Very helpful Pin
Pravin Patil, Mumbai24-Jan-11 21:34
Pravin Patil, Mumbai24-Jan-11 21:34 
GeneralRe: Thanks. Pin
Abhinav S24-Jan-11 22:01
Abhinav S24-Jan-11 22:01 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 nice - thanks for sharing - have 5 Pin
Pranay Rana24-Jan-11 20:28
professionalPranay Rana24-Jan-11 20:28 
GeneralRe: Thanks Pranay. Pin
Abhinav S24-Jan-11 20:31
Abhinav S24-Jan-11 20:31 

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