How to Run Control Panel Tools by Typing a Command

ID: Q192806

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SUMMARY

This article describes how to run Control Panel tools in Windows by typing a command at a command prompt or in the Open box.

MORE INFORMATION

To run a Control Panel tool in Windows, type the appropriate command in the Open box or at a command prompt.

NOTE: If you want to run a command from a command prompt, you must do so from the Windows folder. Also, note that your computer may not have all of the tools listed in this article, as your Windows installation may not include all of these components.


   Control panel tool             Command
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Accessibility Options          control access.cpl
   Add New Hardware               control sysdm.cpl add new hardware
   Add/Remove Programs            control appwiz.cpl
   Date/Time Properties           control timedate.cpl
   Display Properties             control desk.cpl
   FindFast                       control findfast.cpl
   Internet Properties            control inetcpl.cpl
   Joystick Properties            control joy.cpl
   Keyboard Properties            control main.cpl keyboard
   Microsoft Exchange             control mlcfg32.cpl
     (or Windows Messaging)
   Microsoft Mail Post Office     control wgpocpl.cpl
   Modem Properties               control modem.cpl
   Mouse Properties               control main.cpl
   Multimedia Properties          control mmsys.cpl
   Network Properties             control netcpl.cpl
   Password Properties            control password.cpl
   PC Card                        control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA)
   Power Management (Windows 95)  control main.cpl power
   Power Management (Windows 98)  control powercfg.cpl
   Printers Properties            control main.cpl printers
   Regional Settings              control intl.cpl
   Scanners and Cameras           control sticpl.cpl
   Sound Properties               control mmsys.cpl sounds
   System Properties              control sysdm.cpl

When you run the CONTROL command you are actually starting Control Panel with Control.exe, not the normal way Windows 95/98 runs Control Panel tools. The actual command line Windows uses is:

"rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL %1,%*",

Windows substitutes the name of the tool you want to run for %1%. For example:

"rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl".

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbui win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:95; winnt:4.0
Platform          : WINDOWS winnt 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: June 8, 1999