Access Control panel Applet via command line
We can use Control Panel tools either by navigating to Control Panel or via using command line. It's an useful way from an administrator's point of view.
All control panel tools are named with .cpl extension as *.cpl and all the .cpl files are strored in %systemroot%\system32 folder. We have to use the names of control panel tools by which they are present in this folder.
Here are list of .cpl files:-
Control Panel Applet CPL File
Accessibility Wizard Access.cpl
Add/Remove Programs Appwiz.cpl
Display Desk.cpl
Internet Settings Inetcpl.cpl
Regional,Language Options Intl.cpl
Gaming Options Joy.cpl
Mouse Main.cpl
Sounds & Audio Options Mmsys.cpl
Network Connections Ncpa.cpl
Administrative Tools\Data Sources (ODBC) Odbc32.cpl
Power Options Powercfg.cpl
System Sysdm.cpl
Phone & Modem Options Telephon.cpl
Date & Time Timedate.cpl
Run Control Panel applets from the command line by just typing:-
control <applet name>
1. srvmgr.cpl - use services, devices or server
2. main.cpl - Fonts, Mouse, Printers or Keyboard
3. mmsys.cpl - Sounds or Multimedia
There are some instances when the .cpl file represents more than one control panel applet when you need to pass a parameter of which applet to run.
For an Example: "control main.cpl printers" will run the printer control panel applet.
Re: Access Control panel Applet via command line
I love the Command Prompt. As a power user, it’s the fastest way to access just about everything you need to do on your Windows system and the Control Panel is a perfect example of this! Most of the Control Panel applets are actually files with a .CPL extension, and those that are, would be located in the %systemroot%\system32 folder.
You can access these applets by hitting the Windows Key+R and typing Control and the app that you want. Example:
control hdwwiz.cpl
Here is some more . cpl list which you can use:-
you can print out and paste on the wall beside your workstation until you've memoried the ones you use most commonly:
Accessibility Options
access.cpl
Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl
Automatic Updates
wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Properties
bthprops.cpl
Display Properties
desk.cpl
Firewall Properties
firewall.cpl
Game Controllers
joy.cpl
Internet Options
inetcpl.cpl
iSCSI Initiator
iscsicpl.cpl
Java Control Panel
jpicpl32.cpl
Licensing Mode
liccpa.cpl
Mouse Properties
main.cpl
Network Connections
ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl
ODBC Properties
odbccp32.cpl
Power Options
powercfg.cpl
Regional and Language Options
intl.cpl
Sound and Audio Devices
mmsys.cpl
Stored Passwords
keymgr.cpl
System Properties
sysdm.cpl
Telephone and Modem Properties
telephon.cpl
Time and Date Settings
timedate.cpl
User Accounts nusrmgr.cpl
Windows Security Center
wscui.cpl
Wireless Link
irprops.cpl
Re: Access Control panel Applet via command line
Easier Shortcuts Using Control.exe
Trying to open control panel applets with commands containing the complexity of index parameters discussed in the previous section may seem rather daunting to some PC users. Fortunately, there are some alternate commands using plain names that can also be used. These do not seem to be as well-known but are discussed in Microsoft's MSDN library. Fewer possibilities are available than with the previously discussed methods but there are some new commands as well. Three that work in Start-Run are given below:-
Command Function
control date/time Launches the Date and Time Properties window
control desktop Launches the Display Properties window
control color Launches the Display Properties window with the Appearance tab preselected
There are also a number of other quick ways to get to some of the Control Panel components. Here is a short list of some.
- Using the Windows key + the Break key will open the System Properties dialog box.
- Enter devmgmt.msc into Start-Run to open Device Manager
- Enter fonts into Start-Run to open the Fonts folder
- Enter main.cpl into Start-Run to open Mouse properties
- Enter desk.cpl into Start-Run to open Display properties
- Enter control userpasswords2 into Start-Run to manage User Accounts