List of Control Panel Applets in Windows

The Desktop Gadgets Control Panel applet is used to add an installed Windows gadget to your desktop. The Desktop Gadgets applet can also be used to uninstall a gadget.

Execute control /name Microsoft.DesktopGadgets from the Command Prompt to access Desktop Gadgets directly.

Desktop Gadgets replaced Windows Sidebar Properties beginning in Windows 7.

Desktop Gadgets is only available in Windows 7. Windows gadgets are not available in newer versions of Windows like Windows 8 so this applet was no longer necessary.

The Device Manager Control Panel applet is used to manage the hardware installed in Windows.

Device Manager is actually part of the Microsoft Management Console so the Device Manager applet in Control Panel is more like a shortcut than an integrated part of Control Panel like most other applets.

Execute control /name Microsoft.DeviceManager from the Command Prompt to access Device Manager directly.

Device Manager is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

Note: Device Manager does exist in Windows XP, and is accessible from within another Control Panel applet, but it's not a true applet. See How To Open Windows XP Device Manager for more information.

The Devices and Printers Control Panel applet is used to install, manage, and view information about devices and printers connected to your computer.

Execute control /name Microsoft.DevicesAndPrinters from the Command Prompt to access Devices and Printers directly.

Devices and Printers replaced both Add Hardware and Printers beginning in Windows 7.

Devices and Printers is available in Windows 8 and Windows 7.

The Display Control Panel applet is used to adjust display settings like screen resolution, multiple monitor arrangement, and text size.

Execute control /name Microsoft.Display from the Command Prompt to access Display directly. In Windows Vista and Windows XP, execute control desktop instead.

Display is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

Note: Some settings available in the Windows XP version of Display became the bulk of Personalization starting in Windows Vista.

The Ease of Access Center Control Panel applet is used to configure the various accessibility options in Windows like Magnifier, On-Screen Keyboard, Narrator, and more.

Execute control /name Microsoft.EaseOfAccessCenter from the Command Prompt to access Ease of Access Center directly.

Ease of Access Center replaced Accessibility Options beginning in Windows Vista.

Ease of Access Center is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

The Family Safety Control Panel applet is used to set controls on another user's account on the computer. Family Safety lets you control what websites can be visited, what times the computer can be used, and what apps and games can be purchased and used.

Execute control /name Microsoft.ParentalControls from the Command Prompt to access Family Safety directly.

Family Safety replaced Parental Controls beginning in Windows 8.

Family Safety is available in Windows 8.

The File History Control Panel applet is used to keep a running backup of the files in your Windows Libraries and on your Desktop, your Internet Favorites, and your saved contacts.

Execute control /name Microsoft.FileHistory from the Command Prompt to access File History directly.

File History is new to Windows 8 but replaces the most important aspects of Backup and Restore from Windows 7. Backup and Restore is still available in Windows 8 but is called Windows 7 File Recovery.

File History is available in Windows 8.

The Folder Options Control Panel applet is used to make all sorts of simple and advanced changes to how folders look and act. One of the most common uses for Folder Options is to configure Windows to either show or hide hidden files.

Execute control /name Microsoft.FolderOptions from the Command Prompt to access Folder Options directly. In Windows XP, execute control folders instead.

Folder Options is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

The Fonts Control Panel applet is used to add, remove, and configure the fonts available to Windows and the other programs on your computer.

Execute control /name Microsoft.Fonts from the Command Prompt to access Fonts directly. In Windows XP, execute control fonts instead.

Fonts is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

The Game Controllers Control Panel applet is used to configure game controllers connected to your computer. Game Controllers is most often used to calibrate a connected joystick.

Execute control /name Microsoft.GameControllers from the Command Prompt to access Game Controllers directly. In Windows XP, execute control joy.cpl instead.

Game Controllers is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.