Control panel

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Control panel

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Basic data

developer Microsoft
Current  version see Microsoft Windows
operating system Windows

The system control is a central aid of the graphical user interface from and for Microsoft's Windows , with which the settings of the system can be adapted to personal needs. With Windows operating systems - with the introduction of Explorer - the system control is a kind of virtual folder , which is compiled by the operating system from a series of control panels (more on this below, in the section CPL file ).

tasks

The following changes can essentially be made in the control panel:

  • System information ( SYSDM.CPL).
  • Appearance and design : Change the appearance of the Windows PC (change the screen resolution , display of the windows , icons or the desktop background) ( DESK.CPL).
  • configure various interfaces: mouse ( MAIN.CPL), joystick ( JOY.CPL).
  • Printers and other hardware : Install , uninstall or update printers and other hardware ( ,  - Add New Hardware Wizard), Power Options ( ).DESK.CPLHDWWIZ.CPLPOWERCFG.CPL
  • Network and Internet connections : Network configuration, setting up new Internet connections , deleting them or ( Windows XP only ) deactivating the Windows firewall or changing its settings ( NCPA.CPL - network and dial-up connections , INETCPL.CPL - Internet Explorer properties and others).
  • User accounts (Windows NT only): Create a new user account or delete existing user accounts.
  • Software : Overview of the existing software with options for installing or uninstalling new software ( APPWIZ.CPL).
  • Date , time, language and regional settings : change time and time zone or date, change system language ( TIMEDATE.CPL).
  • Sounds, speech input / output and audio devices : Change internal Windows sounds or configure settings for speech input / output devices ( INTL.CPL, MMSYS.CPL).
  • Accessibility : Set accessibility features such as Magnifier ( ACCESS.CPL) for disabled computer users .
  • Pen and finger input , from Windows 7 ( TabletPC.CPL).
  • Action Center : Notes on the safety and maintenance of the system ( wscui.CPL).
  • Performance and maintenance : Maintain the computer, such as defragmentation or disk cleanup .
  • Scheduled tasks : Create schedules for actions.
  • Security Center (XP only): Configure automatic updates or configure Windows Firewall settings. There is also an overview of any personal firewall or anti-virus program that may be present.

There are also some other modules for configuring devices such as mice , telephones , scanners and the like.

In addition, software from third-party providers can also be entered in the system control with a suitable CPL file; Java , QuickTime or various virus scanners use this technology .

CPL file

The so-called control panels ( borrowed from the English c ontrol p ane l ) are described in CPL files . In terms of content, these are nothing more than renamed DLL files. With the file extension changed in this way , it is possible to automatically compile all dialog boxes in the “System Control” overview of the Explorer - for more information, see the section under Technical Details .

The system directory %SystemRoot%\system32in which the CPL files are located is usually the same with a standard installation C:\WINDOWS\system32, with Windows NT up to version 4.0 it was C:\WINNT\system32.

Files with the extension CPLcould be transferred to the application , which would at least start the standard applet of the CPL file. Microsoft has long since abandoned this concept from the 1990s in this context - the CPL files contain a number of other dialog boxes that are not accessible via this assignment. In fact, the call now takes place in the form , whereby it is completely irrelevant whether the extension of the panel file is or . Examples are also listed under . %SystemRoot%\system32\control.exerundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL PanelDatei,Argumente .CPL.DLLrundll32.exe

Just like other DLL and EXE files, CPL files should be protected against manipulation ( malware ) by only granting administrators (and not even every administrator) write access.

Technical details

CPL / DLL all have the entry point CPlApplet. This CPlAppletis to be programmed by those who provide the CPL file. This can be any software and, above all, hardware provider who would like to have their product conveniently operated via the system control. There is a whole series of calls to the CPlApplet.

call

Today, CONTROL.EXE does nothing more than call up the control panel (and its virtual folder ). This command, which can also be called more easily - for example via Cmd - controlin turn calls the command rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLand, if necessary, passes the specified transfer values ​​through to this long command. In the 1990s, some standard CPL were in it as addition MAIN, DESK, INTL, PORTS, TIMEDATEpreset with English keywords for each specific dialogues.

Others ( God Mode )

God Mode (German: "Gott-Modus"; also called God-Mode or GodMode ) is anunofficial term borrowed from computer gamer jargon for a function under Windows Vista and the following versions to see all settings of the control panel. It is a list of all available functions in addition to the main system elements. Although it has been available since Windows Vista and has been largely documented by Microsoft itself, most users only became aware of this possibility shortly after Windows 7 appeared. Various programs that want to provide this function are circulating under names that contain one of the God Mode variations. Microsoft itself calls the functionality “Using File System Folders as Junction Points” (German: “Using file system folders as junction points”).

The mode of operation is based on a special class ID ( English Class ID , short CLSID ). Microsoft published the CLSIDs for the individual functions of the control panel, but not the CLSID for the so-called God mode, so that this could change without notice. Up to and including Windows 10 , however, it is identical and effective. This CLSID is {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}(case sensitive, doesn't matter).

Special folder
This is the method that is mentioned very often in many guides and used by most programs.
Create a new folder anywhere with the following pattern:
<Beliebiger Name>.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
The name <Beliebiger Name>can be freely chosen, the important thing is the extension with the CLSID. This folder can then be opened directly or via a link.
Special link with Windows Explorer
Create a shortcut with the explorer.exeor copy an existing one from the system menu and then change it so that it has the following content:
explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Complete list

In response to a specific "query" series of calls CPlApplet, this DLL returns a list of the main dialog codes it has provided with reference numbers to their respective plain language names, description details and icons ( CPLINFO, NEWCPLINFO).

rundll32 shell32,Control_FillCache_RunDLLgoes through all of them (just like every time when you open “Control Panel”) %SystemRoot%\system32\*.cpl, collects this display information and its associated file including the call code. Up to Windows XP the result was also saved in the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls Folderin the field Presentation Cachefor accelerated display. However, since icons and text elements may change with each call depending on the situation, the cache is no longer used on today's fast machines (by default), but the key is HKCU\…still available at user level ( ).

rundll32 shell32,Control_RunDLL (without parameters) opens a special Explorer window Control Panel and provides the (updated) overall result for selection. In the meantime, all listed CPL files are open. When you close the control panel, they are all CPlAppletcalled up again several times.

CPL files that are marked as "hidden" appear to remain permanently hidden from the control panel. CPL files, to which not everyone or user has read rights, but which only administrators can read and execute, do not reveal their icon and title and therefore do not appear in the control panel for normal users . This helps for clarity when normal users cannot change the control options anyway and do not even want to understand the current settings.

execution

By interactively clicking on an entry in the Control Panel window or by calling up yourself directly, the corresponding series of calls takes place in the Run mode . The code of the desired main dialog box is passed as an argument, another code may, for example, designate a tab. rundll32.exe shell32,Control_RunDLL PanelDatei,ArgumenteCPlAppletCPlApplet

The local language real name can apparently also be used as a call parameter Control_RunDLLfor.

The respective user dialog takes place and then the corresponding storage and implementation of the desired settings - however you choose.

Web links

Individual evidence

... and comments:

  1. ↑ ... Windows Explorer was introduced (after Windows 3.x ) from Windows 9x (first published in 1995) and from NT 4.0 (1996) ...
  2. ↑ first known publication by a Microsoft MVP on November 28, 2007: [Registry Hack] VISTA - All Control Panel & Setting tasks at one place ( Memento from April 22, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ "God Mode": Control Panel completely in Windows 7 [2. Update]. In: Heise online . Retrieved March 25, 2016 .
  4. ↑ a b Specifying a namespace extension's Location. In: MSDN . Retrieved March 25, 2016 .
  5. ^ Canonical Names of Control Panel Items. In: MSDN . Retrieved March 25, 2016 .