Windows run control panel from cmd

Is this article up to date?

Executing Control Panel Items

There are two ways to open a Control Panel item:

• The user can open Control Panel and then open an item by clicking or double-clicking the item’s icon.
• The user or an application can start a Control Panel item by executing it directly from the command line prompt.

An application can open the Control Panel programmatically by using the
WinExec function.

WinExec("c:windowssystem32control.exe", SW_NORMAL);

The following example shows how an application can start the Control Panel item named
MyCpl.cpl by using the
WinExec function.

WinExec("c:windowssystem32control.exe MyCpl.cpl", SW_NORMAL);

When a Control Panel item is opened through a command line, you can instruct it to open to a particular tab in the item. Due to the addition and removal of certain tabs in some Windows Vista Control Panel items, the numbering of the tabs might have changed
from that in Windows XP. For instance, the following example launches the fourth tab in the System item on Windows XP and the third tab on Windows Vista.

This topic discusses the following:

• Windows Vista Canonical Names
• New Commands for Windows Vista
• Legacy Control Panel Commands
• Related Topics

Windows Vista Canonical Names

In Windows Vista and later, the preferred method of launching a Control Panel item from a command line is to use the Control Panel item’s canonical name. A canonical name is a non-localized string that the Control Panel item declares in the registry. The
value of using a canonical name is that it abstracts the module name of the Control Panel item. An item can be implemented in a .dll and later be reimplemented as a .exe or change its module name. As long as the canonical name remains the same, then any program
that opens it by using that canonical name does not need to be updated.

By convention, the canonical name is formed as «CorporationName.ControlPanelItemName».

The following example shows how an application can start the Control Panel item
Windows Update with
WinExec.

WinExec("%systemroot%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate", SW_NORMAL);

To start a Control Panel item with its canonical name, use: «%systemroot%system32control.exe /name
canonicalName«

To open a specific sub-page in an item, or to open it with additional parameters, use: «%systemroot%system32control.exe /name
canonicalName /page pageName«

An application can also implement the
IOpenControlPanel::Open method to launch Control Panel items, including the ability to open a specific sub-page.

For a complete list of Control Panel item canonical names, see
Canonical Names of Control Panel Items.

New Commands for Windows Vista

On Windows Vista, some options that were accessed by a .cpl module on Windows XP are now implemented as .exe files. This provides added security by allowing standard users to be prompted to provide administrator credentials when trying to launch the files.
Options that do not require extra security are accessed by the same command lines that were used in Windows XP. The following is a list of commands used in Windows Vista to access specific tabs of Control Panel items:

Personalization

• Font size and DPI: %windir%system32DpiScaling.exe
• Screen resolution: %windir%system32control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
• Display settings: %windir%system32control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
• Themes: %windir%system32control.exe desk.cpl,Themes,@Themes
• Screensaver: %windir%system32control.exe desk.cpl,screensaver,@screensaver
• Multi-monitor: %windir%system32control.exe desk.cpl,Monitor,@Monitor
• Color Scheme: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageColorization
• Desktop background: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageWallpaper

Note  Starter and Basic Editions do not support control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization command.

System

• Performance: %windir%system32SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe
• Remote access: %windir%system32SystemPropertiesRemote.exe
• Computer name: %windir%system32SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe
• System protection: %windir%system32SystemPropertiesProtection.exe
• Advanced system properties: %windir%system32SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe

Programs and Features

• Add or remove programs: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures
• Windows features: %windir%system32OptionalFeatures.exe

Regional and Language Options

• Keyboard: %systemroot%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:»keyboard»
• Location: %systemroot%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:»location»
• Administrative: %systemroot%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:»administrative»

Folder Options

• Folder searching: %windir%system32rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 2
• File associations: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.DefaultPrograms /page pageFileAssoc
• View: %windir%system32rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 7
• General: %windir%system32rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0

Power Options

• Edit current plan settings: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pagePlanSettings
• System settings: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageGlobalSettings
• Create a power plan: %windir%system32control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageCreateNewPlan
• There is no canonical command for the Advanced Settings page, it is accessed in the older manner: %windir%system32control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3

Legacy Control Panel Commands

When you use the
WinExec function, the system can recognize special Control Panel commands. These commands predate Windows Vista.

For Windows 2000 and later systems:

Additional tools:

   Control Panel tool             Command
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   Accessibility Options          control access.cpl
   Add New Hardware               control sysdm.cpl add new hardware
   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
      (or Windows Messaging)
   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
                                  NOTE: In Windows NT 4.0, Network
                                  properties is Ncpa.cpl, not Netcpl.cpl
   Password Properties            control password.cpl
   PC Card                        control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA)
   Power Management (Windows 95)  control main.cpl power
   Power Management (Windows 98)  control powercfg.cpl
   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
				

The Control Panel features many ways to edit your computer’s settings, and there are lots of different ways you can open it.

Did you know that each Control Panel applet in Windows can be opened by executing a specific command? It’s true! You just have to know what that command is.

When to Open an Applet From a Command Line

Sometimes it’s easier, or maybe even in some cases necessary, to open an applet in the Control Panel from a command line in Windows. For example, if you’re building a script or software program that needs to open an applet, these little tricks help.

More common, however, is a situation where your computer is misbehaving in a certain way that prevents you from navigating around like usual, leaving you with no way to open Control Panel normally, which you likely need to do to solve the issue! Frustrating, we know.

Often times, however, these situations still allow the execution of a command. That’s where it’s very handy to have the list of Control Panel command line tricks shown in the giant table below.

Open the Command Prompt

Start by opening Command Prompt, or even just the Run box (WIN+R keyboard shortcut). Once open, execute, exactly as shown below, the command that corresponds with the Control Panel applet you want to open. It’s as easy as that.

How to Open the Control Panel

Maybe you don’t want to open a specific Control Panel applet from Command Prompt, or the Run box, but instead you want Control Panel itself to open…the Control Panel «home page» so to speak.

This is as easy as executing control from a command line in any version of Windows. Don’t add anything after it—just control by itself.

Control Panel will open just as it does when you do all the clicking or tapping you usually do to open it normally.

Control Panel Command Line Commands in Windows

CMD Commands for Control Panel Applets

_{[1] Color isn’t available by default but is available for free from Microsoft. You can grab a copy from MajorGeeks.}

_{[2] WinColor.exe must be run from the C:Program FilesPro Imaging PowertoysMicrosoft Color Control Panel Applet for Windows XP folder.}

_{[3] I’ve listed Device Manager here because it’s such a commonly used feature of Windows but please know that it is not a true Control Panel applet in Windows XP. See How to Open Windows XP Device Manager for more information.}

_{[4] The Mail applet is only available if a version of Microsoft Office Outlook is installed.}

_{[5] The control mlcfg32.cpl command must be run from the C:Programs FilesMicrosoft OfficeOfficeXX folder, replacing OfficeXX with the folder pertaining to the Microsoft Office version you have installed.}

_{[6] ODBC Data Source Administrator was removed from Control Panel after Windows XP but is still available from Administrative Tools.}

_{[7] In Windows 8, 7, and Vista, task scheduling is performed by Task Scheduler which is not directly accessible from Control Panel. However, executing this command in those versions of Windows will forward to Task Scheduler.}

_{[8] Software Explorers is the name for the Control Panel applet for Windows Defender, available for free here as part of Microsoft Security Essentials.}

_{[9] Msascui.exe must be run from the C:Program FilesWindows Defender folder.}

_{[10] The control sapi.cpl command must be run from the C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedSpeech folder.}

_{[11] Windows Defender is available in Windows XP but the Control Panel applet is instead called Software Explorers.}

_{[12] Windows Update is also used in Windows XP but only via the Windows Update website, not via a Control Panel applet like in later versions of Windows.}

_{[13] In Windows 8, bthprops.cpl opens Devices in PC Settings which will list any Bluetooth Devices. In Windows 7, bthprops.cpl opens the Bluetooth Devices list under Devices and Printers. In Windows Vista, bthprops.cpl opens a true Control Panel applet called Bluetooth Devices.}

Thanks for letting us know!

This article is covering – how to open Control panel in Windows 10 easily. I hope every Windows operating user know about, control panel. It’s the main platform on the Windows operating system contains the many customize setting options. If you want to change any setting, you need to use the Control panel on your Windows operating system. You can easily access it through shortcut key, from the start menu, windows explorer, power user menu, via command line etc. We share here how can you open it easily by command line or command prompt. Let’s see-

Step-1: At first just launch the run box – using hit the Windows+R button.
Step-2: Now just type on cmd in the run box.

Step-3: Hit enter and just copy the below command and paste into the command prompt.
start control
Step-4: Now just hit enter.

How to Open Control Panel on Windows 10 from Start Menu –

Step-1: Just click on the Windows Start Menu from the Windows icon. (Pic below)

Step-2: Just scroll down and W letter comes to view and just press the Windows system. You will see the Control panel.

Open Control Panel on Windows 10 From Settings –

Just use to hit the Win+I button for open the setting app. Just type the Control panel. Then you will see it from the left side of the search results below.

Closing Word: I hope you understand, various way to open the Windows control panel. You can use the shortcut key, from the run, as administrator, command prompt, from settings, using the keyboard, etc. If you face any problem, just comment below for a quick solution.

Check Also:
How to Turn Off Windows Defender in Windows 10 Completely
How to Run Command Prompt as an Administrator
How To Delete Temp Files Using Command Prompt

Last Updated on 4 years by

 
When you need to change any setting you open Control Panel on Windows 10. You can access it through command line, shortcut key and Start Menu, Windows Explorer, Power user menu, Personalize menu. Using many of these ways you could do it instantly. Here we will discuss How to Open Control Panel on Windows 10 each way one by one.

Control Panel is a platform on the Windows Operating System that contains the collection of applets to customize settings. Alias you can say it a central place from where you customize settings like Credentials, PC Screen,  Internet and Network, Keyboard, Language Fonts, look,  Power, Sound, and a lot more on your Windows PC. So the Control panel is an important tool for us, but here we are discussing How to Open Control Panel on Windows 10.

Let us look at:

From Taskbar Search

• Click on Search on Windows 10 Taskbar.

• Write Control Panel in the search box and click on the result at the top.

Open Control Panel from Run

Windows 10 Control Panel Command line:

• Hit WIndows+R at the same time.
• Write control panel in the box (You can also type only control).
• Press OK.

Open Control Panel on Windows 10 From Command prompt

• Launch run box by hitting Window+R altogether.
• Type cmd in the run box.

• Hit Enter.
• Copy the command from below and paste it in command prompt.

start control

• Hit Enter.

Via Desktop Toolbar to the Taskbar

• Locate and perform a right-click on a vacant spot on the taskbar and head to the top choice, Toolbars and put the cursor over it.

• Few additional options will appear, click onDesktop.

• Now, the Desktop toolbar will appear on the taskbar, click on its arrow. Then, click Control Panel and allow its shortcut items menu pop-up.

Through Power User Menu

At first, we want to clear that Power user menu is the menu that opens after right-click on Start icon on the Windows 10 Taskbar. For the solution of how to Open Control Panel on Windows 10 – Instant Ways through the power user menu:

• Right-click on Start icon at the lowest left side on the desktop screen.
• Click on Control Panel.

Update – The recent build has removed Control Panel from Power User Menu. However, a third-party tool is out there which can eventually show up Control Panel on the Power User Menu. If you wish to do so, the article – Display Control Panel on Power User Menu Instead Settings Windows 10 will guide you for the same.

Manually Through Start Menu

• Unwind Start Menu by hitting on Windows icon the taskbar at the lowermost right corner of your screen.

• Scroll down till W letter comes to view. Under W letter, press Windows system. On the second position from upward, you get Control panel.

• If you open Control panel repeatedly you view it on Most used segment whenever you launch the start menu.

Pin Control Panel to Start

• Type Control Panel in the Cortana search field.
• From the arrived search result, right click and choose Pin to Start option.

Pin Control Panel to Taskbar

a)

• Alternatively, you can pin it to the taskbar. Type the phrase Control Panel on Cortana.
• You can see the control Panel (Desktop app) as an end result. Right-click on it and pick up Pin to taskbar.

b)

• Launch Control Panel.
• Right-click the icon on the taskbar of Windows 10.
• The jump list will be visible with various choices, click on the that reads as Pin to taskbar.

Through Shell Command

• Press Win+R keys jointly.
• Copy the underneath particular Shell Command and paste in the space given after you open the run box.

shell:ControlPanelFolder

• Tap Enter.

Through Task Manager

This is an absolutely lately discovered possible method. Emulate the underneath addressed steps to unwrap Control Panel via task manager in Windows 10.

• Administer a right click where you witness an unfilled section on the taskbar and go along with Task manager choice which is at the 3rd position from the bottom.

• Next, on the menu bar, click File followed by a click on the first choice Run new task.

• In the new dialog box, write out control.exe and click OK.

Using Shortcut Path

To access Control panel using the default shortcut path by means of its execution in the Run dialog box is a pretty straightforward job.

• Launch Run box via a strike on the combo of Win including R.
• Copy the below-written default shortcut path, paste here and press Enter –

%SystemRoot%system32control.exe

Open Control Panel on Windows 10 From Settings

Click Win+I and once the Settings app opens, type Control panel. Press Control Panel or its icon in the search result drop-down on Settings application.

Final Words

In this way, the control panel is accessible from pretty near everywhere on your Windows 10 PC. But in this article, we have inscribed those ways which are extra suitable and help you to open very easily and instantly.

Update – 

The Quickest Way to Open Control Panel on Windows 10 (using keyboard only) –

Press Windows logo key, type cp, and then hit Enter.