Control Panel

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Definition of Control Panel in Network Encyclopedia.

What is Control Panel (in Windows operating system)?

Control Panel is a Microsoft Windows feature consisting of a number of utilities for configuring hardware devices and operating system services.

Control Panel
Control Panel (Windows 2000)

The following table shows some of the more common Control Panel utilities in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 and briefly describes their function. Note that some utilities are named differently in the various Windows versions, such as 32-bit ODBC for Windows NT and ODBC (32 bit) for Windows 95 or 98; these utilities are listed separately here. Note also that some Control Panel utilities are present only when additional Windows components have been installed. For example, the GSNW utility is present only when Gateway Services for NetWare has been installed. Finally, installing additional third-party software can add new utilities to Control Panel associated with that software.

Common Control Panel Utilities

Control Panel UtilityFunctionWindows 95 and 98Windows NTWindows 2000
32-bit ODBCDatabase connectivity xx
Accessibility OptionsHelp for visually or motor-impaired individualsx x
Add New HardwareHardware installation wizardx  
Add/Remove HardwareHardware installation wizard  x
Add/Remove ProgramsInstalls new software or Windows componentsxxx
Administrative ToolsShortcut to Administrative Tools program group  x
ConsoleCommand prompt window x 
Date/TimeDate, time, time zonexxx
Desktop ThemesConfigures the appearance of desktopx  
DevicesStartup profiles for hardware devices x 
Dial-Up MonitorMonitors RAS connections x 
DisplayScreen and desktop settingsxxx
Folder OptionsEnables Active Desktop and determines how folders are displayed  x
FontsInstalls new fontsxxx
Game ControllersConfigures joysticksx x
GSNWGateway Services for NetWare xx
InternetInternet Explorer optionsxx 
Internet OptionsInternet Explorer options  x
KeyboardStyle and response ratexxx
LicensingChanges licensing mode and configure replication xx
MacFileServices for Macintosh x 
MailMessaging profilesxxx
Message QueuingConfiguration options for Microsoft Message Queue Server  x
ModemsModem settingsxx 
MouseMouse settingsxxx
MultimediaAudio/video settingsxx 
NetworkNetworking clients, services, protocols, and adaptersxx 
Network and Dial-up ConnectionsCreates and configures network connections  x
ODBC (32-bit)Database connectivityx  
PasswordsConfigures passwords, enables remote administration, and enables user profilesx  
PC CardSettings for PCMCIA cardsxxx
Phone and ModemModem and TAPI location settings  x
PortsCOM port settings x 
Power ManagementAdvanced power management settingsx x
Power OptionsAdvanced power management settings  x
PrintersAdds printer wizard and manages printersxxx
Regional OptionsCurrency and other settings for countries  x
Regional SettingsCurrency and other settings for countriesxx 
Scanners and CamerasConfigures these devices  x
Scheduled TasksSchedule system management tasks  x
SCSI AdaptersSCSI device settings x 
ServerServer role x 
ServicesStarting and stopping services x 
SoundsSystem soundsxx 
Sounds and MultimediaAudio/visual hardware/software and system sounds  x
SystemBoot, file system, profiles, devices, environment, network identification, and so on (depending on the version of Windows)xxx
Tape DevicesTape drive settings x 
TelephonyTAPI location settingsxx 
UPSUninterruptible Power Supply settings x 
UsersUser profilesx 

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