How to run Control Panel tools in Windows by typing a
command at a run command, command prompt, or in the Open box.
To run a Control Panel tool in Windows, type the appropriate command in the
Run Command, Open Box, or at a Command Prompt.
NOTE: If you want to run a command from a
command prompt, you must do so from the Windows folder. Also, note that your
computer may not have all of the tools listed in this article, as your
Windows installation may not include all of these components.
| Control
Panel Tool |
Command |
| 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
or Windows Messaging |
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
NOTE: In Windows NT 4.0, & XP
Network properties is Ncpa.cpl |
| Password Properties * |
control password.cpl |
| PC Card * |
control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA) |
| Power Management |
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 |
* Not for Windows XP
NOTE: If you want to run a
command from a command prompt, you must do so from the Windows folder. Also,
note that your computer may not have all of the tools listed in this
article, as your Windows installation may not include all of these
components.
NOTE: The Scanners and Cameras applet (sticpl.cpl)
cannot be run in Windows Millennium. It has been replaced by the Scanners
and Cameras Folder, which is similar in function to folders like Printers
and Dial-up Networking.
Windows substitutes the name of the tool you want to run for %1%. For
example:
"rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl".
To run the Users tool in Control Panel, type control Ncpa.cpl users, and
then press ENTER.
To run the Users tool for Windows 95/98/Me, type "control inetcpl.cpl users"
(without the quotation marks) and then press
ENTER.