The Windows 7 Control Panel Explained

The Control Panel is a system folder that contains the programs needed to change certain computer settings. Settings to do with the Display, the Mouse and Mouse Pointer, the Printer, the Sound, the Internet and so on. This section will explain what each program does and the rest of the category will show you how to use some of the programs.

If you have not read this page before continue reading it, from top to bottom, as normal. Otherwise you can click on a subject below to get near/on the subject you was reading before. Uninstall A Program is the next section - It is also linked at the bottom of this page.

Action Center sits in the notification area as an icon that notifies you of problems, such as a Backup & Restore is due, your security is out of date and so on. This control panel allows you to take action from those notifications/alerts/warning messages. For example. If you get a notification about your system backup you can use this control panel to begin a manual backup of your system. If your firewall is switched off you can switch it on via this control panel. In Windows XP and Windows Vista this is called the Security Center.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only. It allows you to Partition A Hard Drive, Stop/Start System Services, Schedule System Tasks, Manage Windows Firewall Settings and so on.

Allows you to turn off/on the Automatic Play feature for each device (i.e. Flash Drive, Digital Camera, etc) or piece of media (i.e. CD, DVD, etc) you insert into the computer for the first time. AutoPlay is the requester that appears asking you if you want to Import Pictures, View Pictures, Open Folder To View Files, Play DVD and so on.

Allows you to back up (and then restore) Picture files, Music files, Videos files, E-Mails, Documents, Windows Media Center Recorded TV Shows and Compressed files either as a custom backup or as part of a full (hard drive image) backup. Meaning. System files, Program/Executable files and Temporary files will also be backed up alongside your own personal data files.

Allows you to change the Colour Profile for a particular device such as a Printer, Monitor or Digital Camera. Because each device will probably use a different set of colours from one another it is the Colour Management's job to keep the colours looking consistent. In other words, what you see on the monitor screen should look, colourwise, more or less the same when it is printed.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only - Altering the colour profiles without knowledge can produce unwanted effects/problems.

Credential Manager is similar to Norton's "Manage Logins" and Firefox's "Remember Password" features combined. It allows you to store website Login details for example so that next time you visit a website Windows 7 can automatically log you in it. Credentials are saved in special folders on your computer called vaults. Windows and programs (such as web browsers) can securely give the credentials in the vaults to other computers and websites.

As well as the obvious changing of the Data and Time this control panel also allows you to change the Time Zone (i.e. to Hong Kong), Synchronize the time with a time server (internet clock) and have two additional times (clocks) as part of the notification area clock.

Allows you to associate a Default (normally used) Program, such as Windows Media Player, with one or more file types. For example. If you associate Windows Media Player with the MP3 file type, double clicking on a MP3 file will automatically open Windows Media Player so that Windows Media Player can then play that MP3 file.

You can also set the actual Default Program with this control panel. For example. If you have Windows Media Player and RealPlayer both associated with the MP3 file type you can set which media player opens, as the Default Media Player, when you double click on a MP3 file.

Allows you to install, configure and uninstall Windows SideBar Gadgets (Position, Top-Most Window, Start-Up and Restore Windows-Installed Gadgets). In Windows Vista this is called the Windows SideBar, but in Windows 7 it is called Desktop Gadgets.

Allows you to Install or Uninstall the driver software for a particular piece of hardware. Device Manager is good if a piece of hardware is not working correctly and needs to be Uninstalled. Or when a piece of hardware cannot be Installed because you have no Installation CD for it, that contains its driver software, and therefore need to check the Internet for its driver software. Even if the hardware is working fine sometimes you might want to disable the hardware, for whatever reason(s) - Device Manager allows you to Enable or Disable hardware as well.

Device Manager is for Very Advanced Users only - Uninstalling or Disabling hardware without knowledge can produce unwanted effects/problems.

Allows you to set the default Printer, adjust Keyboard and Mouse properties, control Windows Fax And Scan software as well as view/control other aspects of your hardware (i.e. the computer and a flash drive).

Allows you to adjust certain aspects of the display screen, such as its Resolution (Desktop Size), its ClearType (Font Readability), Text Size, Brightness and so on.

Allows you to change certain display and audio settings, known as Accessibility settings, that are aimed mostly at people with sight and sound difficulties. For example. If you have trouble hearing there is a Narrator that can speak the text on the screen, describe your desktop and describe any windows you have open. And for those who are blind or have sight difficulties there is a screen magnifier that can magnify a part of the screen.

Allows you to change the way you open and view folders. For example. You could set up Windows 7 so that each time you open a sub-folder that sub-folder opens in its own window. Or you could just have each sub-folder open in the same, shared, window. With each sub-folder having its own window open you can view the contents of each sub-folder. Whereas when each sub-folder is sharing the same window only one sub-folder and its contents can be viewed. This control panel also allows you to change the click action for folders and files. You can set up Windows 7 so that you only use one click to open a folder or file instead of two clicks (a double click).

Allows you to open the Fonts system folder, so you can view the Fonts already installed or install new Fonts.

Shows you the Welcome Center, an Easy-To-Use control panel that gets you started with the basics of Windows 7. In Windows Vista the Welcome Center appears on the desktop after the computer has finished starting up, unless you have told Welcome Center not to appear again. In Windows 7 you have to come to this control panel to see the Welcome Center.

HomeGroup allows you to easily share your Libraries (Documents, Pictures, Video and Music folders) and Printer(s) on a home network. With a homegroup, which is password protected, you can always choose what you share with a group; therefore putting you in control of what is shared, if anything at all.

Allows you to change the way Windows 7 indexes files for searching. Windows 7 builds up an Index of your files in order to make searching for them easier and quicker. The index stores information such as a file's name, the date/time it was modified, author details and so on.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to change the Internet Settings - Settings such as Security, Privacy, Content, History, Connections and so on.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to change the speed of the keyboard and the speed of the flashing cursor.

Allows you to set up a default location so that programs on your computer can provide you with customized information and services based on your current location, surroundings and so on. For example. With a location sensor and your computer, you may be able to find a nearby restaurant, get directions to that restaurant, send the directions to a friend, and then follow the directions on a map as you travel to your destination. Ideally used with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and the like.

Allows you to change Mouse and Mouse Pointer settings. For example. You can change the look of the mouse pointer, the speed of the mouse, whether or not the mouse is left-handed or right-handed, the number of lines scrolled when using a wheel mouse and so on. One very good setting is the ability to go the Default Button on a program. For example. If a requester is asking YES or NO, and you do not know which one to choose, the mouse pointer goes to the default (normal) option. The default option is not always the one to choose but it does give you an idea of what you should be choosing.

Manages the Network side of Windows 7. You can set up and then connect to a network, check a network's status, change network settings and set preferences for sharing files and printers amongst other things.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to select which, system or third party, software icons are shown or hidden within the notification area (old: system tray).

Allows you to set Limits on a Standard User account. The standard user account, which should preferably belong to a child, can be limited to the amount of hours it is logged on to the computer, what types of Games it can play, what websites it can visit (based on an age group) and so on. The limits are set up using filters, hopefully by a sensible adult.

Shows you Information based on the Performance of your computer. For example. It might show your Memory as good (with a rating of 3.8 for example) or as bad (with a rating of 2.0 for example). The same applies to your Processor, Graphics, Gaming Graphics and Primary Hard Drive. When each piece of hardware has been given a rating, the lowest rating is used as your Computer Score. Meaning. If your lowest rating is 2.0, for your Graphics for example, your Computer Score will be rated as 2.0.

To improve individual ratings you could install more Memory or a better Graphics Card for example, but this might not improve the Computer Score. In other words, you would have to install a better piece of hardware for the lowest rated piece of hardware in order for the Computer Score to improve. Software in the near future will use the Computer Score system so that you can determine whether or not that software will work on your computer, and more importantly how it will perform on your computer. This control panel also has Tools to help you fine-tune/cleanup your computer's general performance.

If you have not bought your Windows 7 computer yet ask the shop keeper to run a performance test on the computer you like, at least twice, to see its overall Performance Rating (i.e. 3.0). At the end of the day, as long as the computer does the basic chores! do not worry too much about this control panel and performance rating. On the other hand make sure it is at least 3.0.

Allows you to change the way Windows 7 looks and sounds by allowing you to change the appearance of the Desktop (background, windows, menus, colours, screen size and so on) and Mouse Pointer, and the Default Sound scheme.

Allows you to change the settings for your Internal (Dial-Up) Modem amongst other things.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to change the way the Power is used. For example. You can tell the Monitor and Hard Drive to switch off after a certain period of time, in order to save power/energy, as well as programme the Sleep/Shutdown buttons. This is good for Laptop users and for protecting the monitor and hard drive against unnecessary power usage.

Allows you to Repair or Uninstall a single program or a whole software package, as well as make Changes to that program or software (i.e. add or remove certain features). You can see which Windows Updates are installed from here too.

System Restore is a feature of Windows 7 that allows you to Restore (Repair) Windows 7 back to an earlier date/time, if it should become corrupt/broken. Preferably back to a date/time when Windows 7 was working 100%. This is possible because Windows 7 creates a Restore (Repair) Point for you automatically every day, and whenever software is installed (i.e. a Program, Driver Software, Protection Software and so on). So if Windows 7 freezes/crashes frequently after software is installed you can use System Restore to restore Windows 7 back to the state it was in before the software was installed.

This control panel allows you to open the System Restore program, therefore allowing you to manually create a restore point, perform a system restore and so on.

Allows you to change the language used for displaying Text in Wizards, Requesters, Menus and so on, as well as the region used by the keyboard for example. Other languages can be added by downloading the relevant LIP (Language Interface Pack) file and then later removed if need be.

RemoteApp And Desktop Connections is a feature you can use to access programs and desktops (both remote computers and virtual computers) made available to you by your workplace's network administrator. So basically, when you are at home you can access your work computer and its programs.

Allows you to configure the Sound and Audio Devices (Sound Themes, Volume and so on).

Allows you to configure Speech Recognition and Text-To-Speech settings (Voice and Voice Speed setting).

Sync Center allows you to keep information in synchronization between your computer and a mobile device for example. A mobile device such as a mobile phone, digital camera or music player. It can also synchronize between your computer and a network server file, and any programs that support Sync Center.

One example of Sync Center is to use a Flash (Memory) Drive that can synchronize with Windows Media Player (i.e with Playlists). The idea of sync is to have two or more files, in separate locations, that are automatically updated at the same time (synchronized).

Allows you to configure the system (Windows 7, the computer's Hardware and the computer's Software). It gives you access to the System Properties window where you can Install/Uninstall/Change Hardware Settings, Rename the computer, Change the performance/appearance of Windows 7 and so on.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to configure the Taskbar and Start Menu settings - Their appearance mainly.

The Troubleshooting control panel contains several troubleshooting programs that can automatically fix some common problems with your computer, such as network problems, hardware/device problems and program compatibility problems. Although troubleshooters are not designed to fix every problem, they are a useful thing to try first, as they can often save you time and effort.

Allows you to configure the User Accounts. Their Rights, Password, Picture and so on.

This control panel is for Very Advanced Users only.

Gives you an option to upgrade to Windows Ultimate (The best Windows 7 package) and an option to view the differences between your Windows 7 version (i.e Windows 7 Home Premium) and Windows Ultimate.

Allows you to create relationships with websites and online services. The idea is you create a Membership Card with your Name, Address and Email Address on it, amongst things, and then send the membership card to a website when you wish to register with that website. For example. Instead of filling out a Registration Form every time you book a flight you simply send the airline your membership card. They then extract only the required information from your membership card.

Note: At this time I have not fully tested Windows Card Center. I have filled in my card but have yet to send it to a website.

Executes (launches/opens) Windows Defender, Windows 7's anti-spyware program. From there you can Scan for spyware problems (infections), check for updates, choose a scan type (i.e Quick or Full), use the Software Explorer to disable programs that run (launch/open) on start-up and so on.

Some aspects of this control panel are for Very Advanced Users only.

Allows you to configure Windows 7's, built-in, Firewall settings.

This control panel is for Advanced Users only.

This control panel is a collection of some other Control Panel programs that relate to Mobile Devices. For example. It has the Power options for a Laptop, the Sync Center, the Volume control and so on.

Allows you to turn off/on Automatic Updates. When on it automatically checks the Internet for new Critical (High Priority) Windows Updates, Security Updates and so on in order to protect Windows 7 and your computer in general. The updates are either downloaded automatically (in the background, as you are doing other things) by Windows 7 or can be manually downloaded by you, depending on the settings that have been set for Automatic Updates. When the updates have been downloaded they will either be installed automatically by Windows 7 or can be manually installed by you. Again. This depends on the settings that have been set for Automatic Updates.

To open the Control Panel window, first click on the START button (Fig 1.0) to reveal the Start Menu. Then look on the right-hand-side of the Start Menu, towards the middle, until you see the CONTROL PANEL menu-item (Fig 1.1). Click on it to open the Control Panel window (Fig 1.2).

Fig 1.0 Click on the START button to reveal the Start Menu

Fig 1.1 Click on the CONTROL PANEL menu-item to open the Control Panel window

Fig 1.2 The Control Panel window is open, in CATEGORY view - Click on the VIEW BY drop-down menu to change to LARGE ICONS view

If this is the first time the Control Panel has been opened, or unchanged, it will be in Category view. Category view is aimed at the beginner and allows you to change certain hardware and software settings using Links, rather than Icons. If this is the case, look towards the top-right-hand corner of the window and click on the LARGE ICONS (or SMALL ICONS) link (Fig 1.2 above) to put the Control Panel window into Large Icons (or Small Icons) view. Selecting one of these views will display icons and links instead of links only. There is nothing wrong with Category view, but overall the Icons views go straight to the settings - Category view splits things up into categories and therefore tends to send you through sub-categories before showing you the settings. The same could be said of the Icons views in that they give you TABs (sub-windows), but overall the Icons views have the advantage in my opinion.

Fig 1.3 The Control Panel is in LARGE ICONS view, full of Icons and Links.

Do not worry if your control panel does not have all the icons/links as displayed in my control panel (Fig 1.3 above) because not all control panels are exactly the same. Meaning. All control panels have the standard Windows 7 settings/icons but if you install a third party piece of software, such as Java, that software might add its own icon/link to the control panel. Therefore, technically speaking, you would no longer have a standard Windows 7 control panel.

In the examples that follow, and in these website examples generally, I always use the LARGE ICONS view. This should not stop you from using Category view though as its settings are the same as in the Icons views, just layed out in a different way/view.

Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation. As stated here by the Microsoft Corporation.

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