How to Access the Windows Control Panel
Microsoft's Control Panel provides access to the global settings of your computer. As newer versions of the Windows operating system have become available, the location of the Control Panel has become less obvious. As a refresher or a road map, this article should help you find your way.
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Instructions
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For users of Windows 95 through Vista:
Right-click on "My Computer" and select "Properties" from the context menu.
Click the "General" tab to view information about the computer on which you are working, including the version of the operating system.
Skip to Step 3 for Windows 95 through 2000 and XP Classic Mode.
Skip to Step 4 for Windows XP Default Mode and Vista.
For users of Windows 3.x: Left-click on the "Help" option of the Program Manager toolbar. Select "About" to view the version of the operating system. -
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For users of Windows 3.x releases: Open the "Program Manager" from your desktop. Double click the "Main" icon to bring up the main menu. Double click "Control Panel" to access the Control Panel.
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For users of Windows 95 to 2000 and XP Classic Mode: Left-click the "Start Button." Mouse over "Settings" and left-click "Control Panel" on the menu to access the Control Panel.
Alternately, users of Windows 95 through XP may use the Windows Explorer: Right-click the "My Computer" icon or the "Start Button." Select "Explore" from the context menu. Select "Control Panel" from the left pane; Control Panel icons will display in the right pane.
Skip to Step 5 if this step does not open the Control Panel. -
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For users of Windows XP Default Mode and Windows Vista: Left-click the "Start Button." Left-click "Control Panel" to access the Control Panel.
Continue to Step 5 if this step does not open the Control Panel. -
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The Control Panel also can be accessed through the Run dialog box.
For users of Windows 95 to XP: Left-click the "Start Button." Left-click "Run." Type "control" or "control.exe" to access the Control Panel.
For users of Windows Vista: Hold the Windows key and press the "R" key to open your Run dialog box in Windows Vista. Type "control" or "control.exe" to access the Control Panel.
Continue to Step 6 if the Control Panel does not open after this step. -
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Check your Help files, found by double clicking "My Computer" and then selecting "Help" from the tool bar, if these steps do not allow you to open the Control Panel.
Consult Microsoft's support pages (see Resources) for additional help.
Contact a PC repair technician or Microsoft's technical support (see Resources) if you have followed all the steps specific to your operating system and the Control Panel still does not open. Be aware that there may be a fee associated with technical support calls.
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Tips & Warnings
Frequent users of the Control Panel should consider creating a desktop or Quick Launch shortcut by dragging and dropping the Control Panel icon to the preferred location. Users who cannot find or access the Control Panel may not have access to it because of administrative settings applied to their user accounts. If you are not able to access the Control Panel through normal means, or it does not respond to your mousing over it, you may not be allowed access, and you should contact the computer's administrator to resolve the problem.
Adjustments made in the Control Panel have the potential to cause changes that may interfere with your computer's functionality. Always make note of previous settings before making changes. If you do not know what something does, do not change it. Do not attempt to repair your Windows installation without first making backups of all of your data.
