New Commands for Windows Vista
On Windows Vista, some options that were accessed by a .cpl module on Windows XP are now implemented as .exe files. This provides added security by allowing standard users to be prompted to provide administrator credentials when trying to launch the files. Options that do not require extra security are accessed by the same command lines that were used in Windows XP. The following is a list of commands used in Windows Vista to access specific tabs of Control Panel items:
Personalization
- Font size and DPI: %windir%\system32\DpiScaling.exe
- Screen resolution: %windir%\system32\control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
- Display settings: %windir%\system32\control.exe desk.cpl,Settings,@Settings
- Themes: %windir%\system32\control.exe desk.cpl,Themes,@Themes
- Screensaver: %windir%\system32\control.exe desk.cpl,screensaver,@screensaver
- Multi-monitor: %windir%\system32\control.exe desk.cpl,Monitor,@Monitor
- Color Scheme: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageColorization
- Desktop background: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageWallpaper
Note Starter and Basic Editions do not support control.exe /name Microsoft.Personalization command.
System
- Performance: %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe
- Remote access: %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesRemote.exe
- Computer name: %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe
- System protection: %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesProtection.exe
- Advanced system properties: %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe
Programs and Features
- Add or remove programs: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures
- Windows features: %windir%\system32\OptionalFeatures.exe
Regional and Language Options
- Keyboard: %systemroot%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:"keyboard"
- Location: %systemroot%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:"location"
- Administrative: %systemroot%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions /page /p:"administrative"
Folder Options
- Folder searching: %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 2
- File associations: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.DefaultPrograms /page pageFileAssoc
- View: %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 7
- General: %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0
Power Options
- Edit current plan settings: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pagePlanSettings
- System settings: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageGlobalSettings
- Create a power plan: %windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageCreateNewPlan
- There is no canonical command for the Advanced Settings page, it is accessed in the older manner: %windir%\system32\control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3
Legacy Control Panel Commands
When you use the WinExec function, the system can recognize special Control Panel commands. These commands predate Windows Vista.
control.exe desktop | Launches the Display Properties window. Note Starter and Basic Editions do not support this command. |
control.exe color | Launches the Display Properties window with the Appearance tab preselected. |
control.exe date/time | Launches the Date and Time Properties window. |
control.exe international | Launches the Regional and Language Options window. |
control.exe mouse | Launches the Mouse Properties window. |
control.exe keyboard | Launches the Keyboard Properties window. |
control.exe printers | Displays the Printers and Faxes folder. |
control.exe fonts | Displays the Fonts folder. |
For Windows 2000 and later systems:
control.exe folders | Launches the Folder Options window. |
control.exe netware | Launches the Novell NetWare window (if installed). |
control.exe telephony | Launches the Phone and Modem Options window. |
control.exe admintools | Displays the Administrative Tools folder. |
control.exe schedtasks | Displays the Scheduled Tasks folder. |
control.exe netconnections | Displays the Network Connections folder. |
control.exe infrared | Launches the Infrared Monitor window (if installed). |
control.exe userpasswords | Launches the User Accounts window. |