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.

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

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.

1. Using the Windows key + the Break key will open the System Properties dialog box.
   
   
2. Enter devmgmt.msc into Start-Run to open Device Manager
   
   
3. Enter fonts into Start-Run to open the Fonts folder
   
   
4. Enter main.cpl into Start-Run to open Mouse properties
   
   
5. Enter desk.cpl into Start-Run to open Display properties
   
   
6. Enter control userpasswords2 into Start-Run to manage User Accounts