In Windows 10, to open the Control Panel from CMD, type control (or control.exe) and press enter.
You can also use the control command to launch the Control Panel using the Run dialog box.
The Windows control command includes options for launching individual Control Panel applets. For example, to open mouse properties, run the control mouse command.
The following table shows the list of control command options:
| Command | Control Panel Applet |
|---|---|
| control wscui.cpl | Security and Maintenance |
| control timedate.cpl | Date and Time |
| control admintools | Administrative Tools |
| control folders | Folder Options |
| control desk.cpl | Display Setting |
| control access.cpl | Ease of Access Center |
| control fonts | Fonts |
| control inetcpl.cpl | Internet Properties |
| control ncpa.cpl | Network Connections |
| control printers | Devices and Printers |
| control keyboard | Keyboard Properties |
| control mouse | Mouse Properties |
| control tabletpc.cpl | Tablet and Pen Settings |
| control powercfg.cpl | Power Options |
| control appwiz.cpl | Programs and Features |
| control scannercamera | Scanners and Cameras |
| control mmsys.cpl | Sound |
| control sysdm.cpl | System Properties |
| control nusrmgr.cpl | User Accounts |
| control firewall.cpl | Windows Defender Firewall |
The location of the control panel (control.exe) in Windows 10 is C:\Windows\System32. Shortcut to open the control panel is available in the Start menu, under the Windows System.
In Windows 11, The Start menu shortcut is available under the All apps | Windows Tools.
Using CMD to Open Control Panel in Windows
You can use CMD to quickly open the Control Panel. First, press Windows + R or right-click the Start menu and click Run to open the Run menu. A new window will open. Type «cmd» and press Enter. Type «control panel» and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
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To do so, either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.[1]
- On Windows 8, you’ll instead hover your mouse in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon.
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This will bring up the Command Prompt icon at the top of the Start window.
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It’s a black box at the top of the Start window. Doing so invokes a drop-down menu.
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This command will call up the Control Panel program when you run it.
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Doing so will run your command. After a brief moment, Control Panel will open.[2]
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How can I open file explore using cmd during a recovery environment?
It’s not possible directly, but it is possible indirectly. While in recovery, go to System Image Restore Program. There should be an option there to find drivers. Click it, then click OK, and voila! You’ve got your mini but useful file manager!
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Why was the control panel changed from how it used to be?
Because Microsoft needed to modernize Windows and that’s how they accomplished that.
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On Windows 10 computers, you can right-click the Start icon (or press ⊞ Win+X) to bring up the advanced user menu. You’ll find Command Prompt as an option here.
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If you’re on a shared or networked computer, you may not be able to access Command Prompt at all.
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To open the Control Panel using the Command Prompt, simply type the following command and press Enter:
control
Understanding CMD and Its Capabilities
What is CMD?
Command Prompt (CMD) is a command-line interpreter application available in Windows operating systems. Its primary purpose is to execute commands given by the user to perform various tasks such as file manipulation, system configurations, and accessing programs without a graphical user interface.
Using CMD enables users to interact directly with Windows, often using fewer resources than the graphical interface. This command-line tool is especially beneficial for users who want to quickly execute repetitive tasks, automate processes, or access features that may be buried within menus.
Why Use CMD to Open Control Panel?
Using CMD to access the Control Panel offers several advantages:
- Speed and Efficiency: Typing a command is often faster than navigating through menus.
- Automation Possibilities: Automating the process allows for integration into scripts which can be run to accomplish tasks without user intervention.
- Potential for Advanced Scripting: CMD commands can be combined with other commands to create complex batch scripts, increasing productivity and reducing manual effort.
How to Open Control Panel from Cmd: Quick Steps Explained
Launch Control Panel from CMD: The Basics
Opening CMD
Accessing CMD is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it across various Windows platforms:
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Using Windows Search: Click on the Start menu (or press the Windows key) and type “cmd.” In the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator” for administrative privileges.
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Using the Run Dialog: Press `Windows + R`, type `cmd`, and hit Enter. This method is quick and effective for immediate access.
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Task Manager Method: Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting «Task Manager.» Click «File» in the top-left corner, then “Run new task.” Type `cmd` in the dialog and press Enter.
The CMD Command to Open Control Panel
Once you have the Command Prompt open, you can easily access the Control Panel by using one simple command.
Command Explanation: The command `control` invokes the Control Panel application since it directly calls the corresponding executable file associated with the old Control Panel interface.
How to Open a Folder Using Cmd: A Quick Guide
Step-by-Step Guide: Open Control Panel Using CMD
Step 1: Access CMD
Following the methods outlined above, ensure you have the Command Prompt open and ready to accept commands.
Step 2: Execute the Control Command
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
control
Upon execution, this command should immediately launch the Control Panel, placing all system settings and management tools at your fingertips.
Open Control Panel from Cmd as Admin: A Simple Guide
Exploring Different Ways to Open Control Panel in CMD
Open Control Panel with CMD: Using Additional Arguments
While using the `control` command directly opens the Control Panel, you can specify arguments to access particular sections or settings. This is a powerful feature for users who know which section they want to open.
Example Commands:
- To open specific items, try:
- Network and Sharing Center:
control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter - Devices and Printers:
control /name Microsoft.DevicesAndPrinters
- Network and Sharing Center:
These commands heighten efficiency by allowing quick access to specific sections without needing to navigate through the entire Control Panel.
Start Control Panel from CMD: Using Full Path
Another method for opening the Control Panel involves using the full path to its executable file. This is particularly useful if CMD fails to recognize the `control` command in certain configurations.
Code Snippet:
start C:\Windows\System32\control.exe
This command uses `start`, which invokes the specified application found in the Windows system directory, effectively launching the Control Panel.
Open Control Panel in CMD via Shortcuts
Creating a batch file can streamline repeated access to the Control Panel:
- Open a text editor.
- Write the following lines:
@echo off control - Save the file with a `.bat` extension, for example, `open_control_panel.bat`.
To run this batch file, simply double-click it, and it will launch the Control Panel automatically, providing a quicker option compared to typing out the commands each time you want to use the Control Panel.
How to Open a Folder in Cmd: A Simple Guide
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Why CMD Might Not Open Control Panel
If you encounter issues when attempting to open the Control Panel using CMD, there could be a few common culprits:
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Insufficient Permissions: If CMD is not run as an administrator, certain commands may fail to execute. Always ensure you run CMD with the necessary permissions if you’re trying to access system settings.
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Corrupted System Files: Occasionally, Windows may encounter corruption in its system files which prevents certain commands from executing properly. If you suspect this, try running the System File Checker Tool by typing:
sfc /scannow
Alternative Methods to Access Control Panel
While CMD provides a powerful tool to access the Control Panel, there are several graphical methods if you are uncomfortable with command-line operations:
- Windows Search: Type “Control Panel” into the Start menu search bar.
- Using the Run Dialog: Open the Run command by pressing `Windows + R`, then entering `control`.
Understanding when to utilize CMD is merely about personal preference and work style – both methods are valid and effective.
How to Make Folder Using Cmd in a Snap
Conclusion
Recap of Key Points
In this comprehensive guide, we explored multiple ways to access the Control Panel using CMD, focusing primarily on the direct `control` command. We also examined how to utilize command-line arguments for more precise access to Control Panel sections and created batch files to enhance productivity further.
Call to Action
Don’t hesitate to try these CMD commands for accessing the Control Panel. The power to navigate your system efficiently is now within your grasp! We invite your feedback and suggestions on other CMD topics you’d like to learn about.
How to Open Task Manager with Cmd in a Snap
Additional Resources
For more in-depth exploration, you may want to check official Microsoft documentation related to CMD commands or explore other articles on advanced CMD techniques that can aid your Windows experience.
How to Open Another Drive in Cmd Easily
FAQs Section
Can I Customize CMD Commands?
Yes, CMD commands can be customized extensively through scripts and aliases. Scripting allows you to create tailored commands for specific tasks, making your process even more efficient.
Is There a Difference Between CMD and PowerShell?
Yes, while both are command-line interfaces, PowerShell is more robust and designed for advanced system administration tasks. It supports both command-line commands and scripting in its own language, offering users more flexibility and power than CMD.
What if My Control Panel Doesn’t Open?
If after trying the commands your Control Panel still doesn’t open, consider seeking assistance on forums, running system diagnostics, or checking for software conflicts that may be blocking access.
How to Run Command for Control Panel – Command Line or Prompt. You need to know about the run command for the control panel, and it shows you various utility configuration for administrators for your device maintenance. So you can quickly run the command for control launch the panel. How to Fix Sound Problem in Windows 10, 8.1, 7
At first, open the run window from the start menu or also use the shortcut key- Windows button + R button
Then type to and control hit enter.
Note: This command system works on all windows edition like – Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, 2012 editions. (Also try the other version)
How to Compress File from Command Line
How to Launch Control Panel as Administrator?
You can also use the command to runas launch the program with a different user. If you want to control panel open with administrator privileges and need to use the below command, you can also run the window and would be prompted for the administrator’s password.
runas /user:administrator control
Example:
C:\runas /user:administrator control Enter the password for administrator: Attempting to start control as user "MYPC\administrator" ...
It opens up the control panel Window after printing the above message.
How to Open Chrome Browser from Command Line
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- 10 Ways to Open Control Panel Windows 10/8/7
By Alisa |
Last Updated
If you are wondering how to open Control Panel in Windows 10/8/7? This post provides 10 ways, incl. Control Panel Windows 10 shortcut, open Control Panel with command/cmd, etc. If you suffer data loss in your Windows 10 computer or other storage devices, MiniTool software can help you easily recover lost data for free.
What Is Control Panel?
Before learning how to use the 10 ways to open Control Panel Windows 10/8/7, let’s first have a brief review of what Control Panel is.
The Control Panel is a Windows component that allows users to access, view and change most of the Windows computer’s settings. It consists of a pack of applets. You can open Control Panel in Windows 10/8/7 to remove hardware or software, control Windows user accounts, repair Windows 10 issues and control almost everything about how your Windows computer works or looks.
To find and open Control Panel in Windows 10/8/7 computer, you can use the following 10 ways.
>> Video Guide:
Way 1. Open Control Panel Windows 10 with Search Box
You can click the search box at the taskbar of Windows 10, and type control panel. Choose the top best matched result Control Panel app to open it in Windows 10.
You can click Start, type control panel, and select the top result Control Panel app from the list to open it.
If you want to pin Control Panel to the taskbar or to Start menu, you can right-click Control Panel and choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar. Then next time if you need to access Control Panel to change some settings, you can easily open it from taskbar or Start menu.
To open Control Panel Windows 7, you can click Start menu and select Control Panel from the list in the right column. You can also click Start and type control panel in the search box and click Control Panel shortcut to open it.
To open Control Panel Windows 8/8.1, you can switch to the Start screen and type control panel in the search box, tap Control Panel to open it.
Way 3. Open Control Panel Windows 10/8/7 via Run
You can press Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open Windows Run dialog, and type Control Panel in Run, click OK to open Control Panel in Windows 10/8/7.
Click Start and scroll down the list to find Windows System category and expand it. Select Control Panel to open it.
You can press Windows + X keys on the keyboard, or right-click Start, and select Control Panel from the list. Some Windows 10 computer systems have Settings instead of control panel.
Way 6. Open Control Panel Windows 10 through Cortana
In Windows 10, you can also get into Control Panel windows though talking to Cortana. You can awake Windows 10 Cortana by saying “Hey Cortana” or “Hello Cortana”. And then you can say “Launch Control Panel” to Cortana. It will open Control Panel window for you.
Way 7. Open Control Panel Windows 10 with Command Prompt
You can press Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open Windows Run. Type cmd and click OK to open Command Prompt in Windows 10. Then type control panel in Command Prompt window and hit Enter key to open Control Panel with command prompt (cmd).
Related: Best 2 Ways to Boot to Command Prompt in Windows 10
Way 8. Open Control Panel Windows 10 with PowerShell
Right-click Start and click Windows PowerShell to open it. Type control panel and hit Enter to open it.
Way 9. Open Control Panel Windows 10 with Shortcut
Some Windows 10 system has a default Control Panel shortcut on the desktop screen. You can double-click Control Panel shortcut icon to open it.
If you don’t find a shortcut icon of Control Panel, you can create a shortcut for Windows 10 Control Panel for easier use.
- Right-click a blank area on the desktop, and click New -> Shortcut to open Create Shortcut window.
- Type %windir%\system32\control.exe in the box and click Next.
- Type a name like Control Panel and click Finish to create the shortcut for Control Panel.
Way 10. Open Control Panel Windows 10 with Task Manager
- Press Ctrl+ Shift + Esc keys on the keyboard at the same time to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click File -> Run new task.
- Type control panel and press Enter to open Control Panel window.
Verdict
These are the 10 ways to help you open Control Panel in Windows 10. Some ways can be also applied to open Control Panel in Windows 8/7.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Alisa is a professional English editor with 4-year experience. She loves writing and focuses on sharing detailed solutions and thoughts for computer problems, data recovery & backup, digital gadgets, tech news, etc. Through her articles, users can always easily get related problems solved and find what they want. In spare time, she likes basketball, badminton, tennis, cycling, running, and singing. She is very funny and energetic in life, and always brings friends lots of laughs.