Windows XP [Electronic resources] : Visual Quickstart Guide, Second Edition

Using Control Panel

Control Panel is a central container of tools for changing preferences, configurations, and settings. These miniature programs commonly are called

applets or

extensions. Experienced Windows users are familiar with the interface in

Figure 4.1 , now called

classic view. Windows XPs Control Panel defaults to a novice-friendly interface called

category view (Figures 4.2 and

4.3 ).

To open Control Panel:

Choose Start > Control Panel.

Tips

To start Control Panel with a Start > Run command, type control and then press Enter.

To start Control Panel in the classic (one-column) Start menu, choose Start > Settings > Control Panel.

To show Control Panel in the My Computer folder, choose Start > Control Panel > Appearances and Themes > Folder Options > View tab > check Show Control Panel in My Computer (near the bottom).

To open an item in category view:

Click its icon or category name.

In some cases, such as Add or Remove Programs, the item opens in its own window. In others, such as Appearance and Themes, the category opens to a list of tasks and icons that you can click.

To open an item in classic view:

Double-click the item.

or

Use the arrow keys to navigate to the desired item; then press Enter.

or

Press the key of the items first letter; then press Enter.

If multiple items have the same first letter, press that letter repeatedly until the desired item is highlighted; then press Enter.

To switch Control Panel views:

1. If the Control Panel task pane isnt displayed, choose Tools > Folder Options > General tab > Show Common Tasks in Folders (Figure 4.4 ).

2. In the task pane, click Switch to Category View or Switch to Classic View (Figure 4.5 ).

Managing Shortcuts" in Chapter 2.

Tweak UIs Control Panel options let you hide the Control Panel extensions of your choice. See the "Tweak UI" sidebar in "Using the Start Menu" in Chapter 2.