From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Windows Mobility Center
|
The Windows Mobility Center application in Windows 11 |
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Initial release | November 30, 2006; 18 years ago |
| Operating system | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 |
Windows Mobility Center is a component of Microsoft Windows, introduced in Windows Vista, that centralizes information and settings most relevant to mobile computing.
A mobility center that displayed device settings pertinent to mobile devices was first shown during the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference of 2004. It was based on the Activity Center user interface design that originated with Microsoft’s abandoned Windows «Neptune» project, and was slated for inclusion in Windows Vista, then known by its codename Longhorn.[1][2]
The Windows Mobility Center user interface consists of square tiles that each contain information and settings related to a component, such as audio settings, battery life and power schemes, display brightness, and wireless network strength and status. The tiles that appear within the interface depend on the hardware of the system and device drivers.[3][4]
Windows Mobility Center is located in the Windows Control Panel and also be launched by pressing the ⊞ Win+X keys in Windows Vista and 7. By default, WMC is inaccessible on desktop computers, but this limitation can be bypassed if one modifies the Windows Registry.[5]
Windows Mobility Center is extensible; original equipment manufacturers can customize the interface with additional tiles and company branding.[4] Though not supported by Microsoft, it is possible for individual developers to create tiles for the interface as well.[6]
- Features new to Windows Vista
- ^ Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). «WinHEC 2004 ‘Longhorn’ Prototypes Gallery». Supersite for Windows. Penton Media. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ Thurrott, Paul (May 5, 2004). «WinHEC 2004: Microsoft Merges Tablet PC Future into Wider Mobile Computing Vision». Windows IT Pro. Penton. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ^ Microsoft. «Using Windows Mobility Center». Retrieved May 24, 2015.
- ^ a b Berntson, Alec; Barker, Guy; Pautz, Mike (July 2006). «Windows Mobility Center — Extensibility» (PDF). Microsoft. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
- ^ Brink, Shawn (April 6, 2009). «How to Enable Windows Mobility Center on a Desktop Computer». Windows Vista Forums. Designer Media Ltd. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
- ^ Zheng, Long (December 21, 2007). «Extending the Windows Mobility Center with third party tiles – Rafael releases ‘Display Off’ tile». istartedsomething. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
Microsoft has lots of default tools hidden in Windows operating system. Windows Mobility Center is one such a default tool many of us do not use. As the name indicates, this tool is meant for mobile devices like Windows laptop and tablets. However, you can use a registry edit to make this available on your desktop PC as well. In this article, let us explore more on how to access Windows Mobility Center and the available options.
Related: How to fix slow Windows and speed up your work?
As usual, Windows offers many ways to open mobility center tool.
1. Use Run Prompt
- Press “Win + R” to open Run prompt.
- Type mblctr and press “OK” button.
2. From Power User Menu
- Press “Win + X” keys in Windows 10 laptops to open power user menu on top of the Start button.
- Select “Mobility Center” option.
Note: Win + X keys will directly open Mobility Center in Windows 7 and earlier versions. However, it opens power user menu in Windows 10.
3. Use Windows Search Box
The easiest option is to use Windows search to find the tool. Type mobility center and filter the results from the search results to open the tool.
What Can I Do with Mobility Center?
Windows Mobility Center tool will look like below.
As you can see, the tool offers the following settings that you can quickly adjust.
- Brightness – increase or decrease the brightness of your display
- Volume – change or mute the speaker volume
- Battery Status – shows the status of the remaining battery percentage, plugged to power and charging. You can click on the dropdown to quickly change the power settings to power saver to save battery when you are running out of power. Alternatively, select high performance option to optimize the settings for better performance.
- External Display – check the status of your external monitor connection. You can click on “Connect/ Disconnect display” button to connect/disconnect external monitor.
- Sync Center – check the status of sync errors.
- Presentation Settings – turn on/off presentation mode.
This is a one-stop tool you can use to control all these settings with few mouse clicks. In addition, you can use this tool for troubleshooting purposes like checking whether external monitor is connected or not. Instead of plugging in and removing the monitor cable, use this tool to connect or disconnect when you are troubleshooting.
Enable Windows Mobility Center in Desktop PC
Do not get confused if you are not seeing this tool on your computer. As mentioned, this tool is available only on laptops and tablets that use battery. By default, the tool is disabled on desktop computers. If you like Windows Mobility Center, follow the below instructions to enable it on your desktop.
- Press “Win + R” top open Run prompt.
- Type regedit and open Windows Registry editor.
- You have to create two DWORDS key and assign parameters.
- Go to “Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MobilePC\AdaptableSettings” folder.
- Right click inside the empty area and create new DWORD key.
- Name the key as SkipBatteryCheck and double click on it (or right click and select “Modify…”). Enter the value data as 1 and click “OK” button.
- Similarly, go to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MobilePC\MobilityCenter” folder and create a new DWORD key. Name it as RunOnDesktop and set the value data as 1.
Basically, these two registry keys will skip the battery check and enable running mobility center on desktop computer. Now, you should be able to open Windows Mobility Center tool using one of the above-explained method on your PC.
Привет друзья! В комплекте с Windows 7, 8.1 и 10 поставляется специальное приложение, именуемое Центром мобильности. Используется оно в основном на портативных устройствах для быстрого доступа к базовым настройкам яркости, громкости, синхронизации, электропитания, управления ориентацией экрана, параметрами презентации и некоторыми другими компонентами.
Центр мобильности Windows штука полезная, но вы можете столкнуться с ситуацией, когда его нужно будет отключить. В Windows 10 он, к примеру, вообще не особо нужен, так как управлять некоторыми из перечисленных выше настроек можно из Центра действий. Отключить Центр мобильности нетрудно.
Как в Windows 10 включить или отключить Центр мобильности
Откройте командой regedit редактор реестра и разверните этот ключ:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/MobilityCenter
Может статься, что подраздела MobilityCenter у вас не окажется, в этом случае его нужно будет создать вручную. В свою очередь в нем необходимо создать 32-битный параметр типа DWORD с именем NoMobilityCenter и установить в качестве его значения 1.
Это действие отключит Центр мобильности для всех пользователей. Если же вы захотите деактивировать приложение для конкретного юзера, то же самое нужно сделать в ключе HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/MobilityCenter.
В обоих случаях изменения вступят в силу после перезагрузки компьютера. Для отключения Центра мобильности также можно использовать редактор локальной групповой политики. Открыв его командой gpedit.msc, перейдите по цепочке Конфигурация компьютера → Административные шаблоны → Компоненты Windows → Центр мобильности Windows. Справа нажмите ссылку «»Изменить параметры политики» и установите в открывшемся окошке радиокнопку в положение «»Включено».
А как вот быть, если нужно как раз наоборот, включить Центр мобильности на десктопном компьютере? По умолчанию это приложение работает только на мобильных ПК и планшетах, если вы хотите пользоваться им на обычном настольном компьютере, нужно применить соответствующий твик реестра. Открыв редактор реестра, разверните ключ HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft, создайте в последнем подразделе сначала каталог MobilePC, а затем MobilityCenter так, чтобы последний был вложен в предыдущий (см. скриншот).
В подразделе MobilityCenter создайте 32-битный DWORD-параметр с именем RunOnDesktop и установите в качестве его значения 1. После перезагрузки вы сможете запускать Центр мобильности командой mblctr из окошка «Выполнить».
If you want to customize the main settings of your Windows 10 laptop, directly launch Windows Mobility Center on your screen. Windows Mobility Center is one of the main constituents of Microsoft Windows which has been found with the introduction of Windows Vista. Before heading more, make a note that Windows Mobility Center will not be accessible in the computers which are not portable. The users who have Windows 10 installed on their laptops, Ultrabook or tablet will be able to take benefit of Windows Mobile Center and utilize it.
Now coming back to its description, it allows the users to control or change the settings of the important components of their system. It has a user-friendly interface with a sequence of some tiles on its window, each representing a portion of information. The items listed by the tiles totally depend on the manufacturers of the device. So don’t get tensed. The general and most used are present in almost all the systems.
In this tutorial of Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10, we will cover its entire details, starting from its accessibility to use its tiles and a lot more. Have patience till the end of this post because you are really going to get some interesting knowledge. Let the learning begin!
How to Access Mobility Center in Windows 10
There are a couple of ways which lead to the launch of Windows Mobility Center on your screen. You can follow any of them as per your comfort.
Start Menu
The first process is via Cortana Search merely underneath the Start Menu. Hit the Cortana icon, type Mobility Center in the search area at the lowermost part.
You will notice it in the result. Click on it to open.
Control Panel
Another way to get into Windows Mobility Center is from the Control Panel. First, open the Control Panel. Among the different categories, look for Hardware and Sound.
Under Hardware and Sound window, click the Windows Mobility Center option.
Power User Menu
Right click on the Start icon on the Taskbar. You will notice a list of options. It is called Power User Menu. You can even use the keyboard shortcuts of Windows and X keys to launch this Power User Menu on the screen. Look carefully, the Mobility Center is the second option on the arrived list. Click and open it.
When you open Windows Mobility Center on your Windows 10, it will look something like this, each tile representing each component of your system (See the screenshot below). Rather than navigating the complicated ways to open the components for simple settings, you will get all at one place, which saves your time and energy. Below is the list of tiles that are present in the laptop using Windows 10 –
- Brightness
- Volume
- Battery Status
- External Display
- Sync Center
- Presentation Settings
The settings of each tile will carry out in the next part of this post.
How to Set the Brightness in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
The first tile of the Windows Mobility Center is the Brightness. The name and look of the tile itself explain you everything. Use the slider to adjust the display brightness of your Windows 10 laptop screen. Of course, reduce the brightness, the better will be the life of the battery. You might have used this setting in a different way, but here as mentioned before, all at one place.
How to Set the Volume in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
The method of using the Volume tile is same as the Brightness tile. If you wish to put the sound into a silent mode, check the Mute box. Drag the slider to left or right to increase or decrease the volume. Adjust it to the level you want.
How to Set Battery Status in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
The Battery Status tile exhibits you the percentage of remaining power. It also permits you to select the preferred power plans from the drop down menu. When you click on the drop down menu you will notice three power plans are listed. The Balanced power plan is selected by default. Its’ performance is automatic and creates a balance between the performance and its usage. The Power saver option lets the resources provide their maximum performance. You can keep on changing the options and experience yourself which power plan suits best for your laptop.
How to Set External Display in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
The option of connecting to the external display will not be obtainable if you are not using a laptop or tablet. This tile will enable your laptop connected to the external display. You will see an option Connect Display in the External Display tile. A click on the Connect Display option will prompt up a charms list on the right edge of your screen exhibiting you different projecting options to choose from. You can view this list through Control Panel also or by simply pressing Windows and P keys on your keyboard.
Below are the four projecting options and their workings –
- PC Screen Only – The external display will be turned off when this option is being selected because it chooses only the computer screen, the one on which you are working.
- Duplicate – When you opt this option, you will see the exact thing on the connected monitor that you are able to see on your PC screen.
- Extend – It is the extension of your PC’s display screen on the connected external screen.
- Second Screen Only – It will switch off the display of your laptop’s screen by making the connected screen as the main screen.
After the completion of your preferred external display, you might require to executing certain modifications of your screen resolution. This facility is not built in Windows Mobility Center. To carry out the modifications, go to your Desktop, right-click on an empty area and select Display settings. Then carry out the needed modifications. In case you think you went wrong with the modifications, the 15 seconds timer of Windows will display the real settings when the new one fails to perform.
How to Use Sync Center in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
When you click on the Sync Setting option of Sync Center you will get into the Sync Center window. Dropping down the details of Sync Center here will be a massive thing. We request you to go the below link and get the information related to it.
How to Set Presentation Settings in Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10
Last but not the least tile of Windows Mobility Center is of Presentation settings. This option is the simplest of all the settings of the presentation. If you are working first time on this setting from this component, click Turn On button of Presentation Settings tile of Windows Mobility Center.
This action will then lead to the pop-up of new Presentation Settings window which will inquire you about performing a presentation. (In case this new window doesn’t pop up automatically, click on the icon of the Presentation Settings and you will get its new settings window on your screen).
In the new Presentation Settings window if you select the first option I am currently giving a presentation, Windows will then deactivate all those power settings which might switch off your screen display and turn all the notifications of the system to the mute mode. You can modify the other options like the turn off the screen saver or the volume settings. You can even change the background of the desktop so that it doesn’t affect your presentation.
Now to connect your laptop to another display, go to the External display tile and click on Connect display. Then abide the steps that have been mentioned in the External display section.
My Opinion
Windows Mobility Center is the best component where you can perform so many settings. If you are using any Windows 10 portable device, this is the most helpful application you will ever experience. Those users who have not experienced it till now are requested to have a look at Windows Mobility Center and experience a new way of settings things. The most interesting thing is the Presentation one. Making a presentation has never been so easy in Windows 10.
Windows 10 comes with a built-in feature called Windows Mobility Centre. With the help of Windows Mobility Centre on a Windows 10 laptop or notebook, you can quickly and easily access or adjust the display brightness, mute or adjust volume, view and change Power Plans, access the remaining battery percentage, set Sync Settings, and connect to an external display. However, this feature is active by default on laptops only, so you need to allow the same first if you are using Windows 10 on a desktop PC.
This post will guide you through enabling the Windows Mobility Centre on Windows 10 desktop and multiple ways to open it.
How to enable or turn on Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 desktop computer?
Those who have not enabled the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 desktop PC and try to access it will receive a message “Windows Mobility Center is available only on laptops.”
Gentle Reminder: To enable the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 desktop computer, you need to modify the Registry; hence, we recommend taking the full backup of the Windows Registry and creating a system restore point. In case something goes wrong, you can revert your PC to a previous working state.
To enable or turn on the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 desktop, perform the following steps:-
Step 1. Press the Windows logo + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. In the Run dialog box, type the following and hit Enter from the keyboard or click the OK button to open the Windows Registry:-
regedit
Step 3. In the Registry Editor window that opens, navigate to the following key:-
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MobilePC
Note: On the MobilePC folder, you need to create two sub-keys, AdaptableSettings and MobilityCenter. If any key is present, you can skip the step.
Step 4. Right-click on MobilePC and select New, and then Key. Name the newly created key as AdaptableSettings.
Step 5. Again, right-click on MobilePC, select New, and then Key. Name the newly created key as MobilityCenter.
Once both keys are created or already present, it should look like a lead-in image.
Step 6. Now, highlight the AdaptableSettings key on the left side pane by clicking on it, perform a right-click on it, and select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 7. Name the newly created DWORD (32-bit) Value as SkipBatteryCheck.
Step 8. On the right side pane of the AdaptableSettings key, double-click on SkipBatteryCheck. Change its Value Data from 0 to 1.
Step 9. Click OK to save the changes.
Step 10. Now, select the MobilityCenter on the left side pane and right-click on it. Choose New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the newly created DWORD (32-bit) Value as RunOnDesktop.
Step 11. Double-click on the RunOnDesktop on the right side pane and set its Value data to 1.
Step 12. Click OK to apply the changes.
Once you complete the above steps, press the Windows logo + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Copy and paste the following path and press Enter from the keyboard:-
%LocalAppdata%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3
Here, you will see an executable file of Windows Mobile Center. Double-click on the Windows Mobile Center shortcut to open it. For easy access, you can drag it to the Windows 10 Taskbar or right-click on the program shortcut and select Pin to Start.
After performing the above steps, you should enable Windows Mobility Center on your Windows 10 desktop computer.
The second part of this article is about how to access Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10. There are at least five ways to access Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 computers or laptops. These are the following:-
- Open Windows Mobility Center using the Search box
- Launch Windows Mobility Center via the Battery icon in the system tray
- Start Windows Mobility Center through Win + X menu
- Begin Windows Mobility Center from the Run Command box
- Open Windows Mobility Center via a shortcut
How to Start Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 using the Search box?
The search box is the simplest way to open the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 PC.
Step 1. To open the Windows Mobility Center, click on the Start button/menu of Windows 10 and type Windows Mobility Center.
Step 2. From the available top search results, click on the Windows Mobility Center to open it.
How to Launch Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 using the Battery icon in the system tray?
It is yet another straightforward way to open the Windows Mobility Center in Windows 10. Just right-click on the battery icon in the Taskbar system tray and click on the Windows Mobility Centre option to open it. If the battery icon is missing from the Taskbar, you can not perform this task.
How to Open Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 via the Win + X menu?
By pressing the Windows logo + X hotkey open the power user menu and then click on the Mobility Centre to open it.
Alternatively, please right-click on the Start button to access the WinX menu and then select the Mobility Centre to open it.
How to Access Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 using the Run Command box?
It is also possible to open the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 using the Run dialog box. Just press the Windows logo + R keys from the keyboard to open the Run box. Type mblctr in the box and hit Enter button from the keyboard to open Windows Mobility Centre.
How to Launch Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 via a Shortcut?
It is the last option to access the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10. Press and hold the Windows logo key and then press the R key from the keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Copy and paste the following path and press Enter from the keyboard:-
%LocalAppdata%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3
It will open a folder Group3, where you will see several system program shortcuts listed. Copy the shortcut of “Windows Mobility Center” and paste it on the Windows 10 desktop to quickly access it. You can also drag the shortcut to Windows 10 Taskbar for easy access. You can even pin it to the Start menu by right-clicking on it and selecting Pin to Start.
That’s all!!!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Windows Mobility Center is a useful feature built into Windows 10 laptops that allows easy access and adjustment of various settings such as display brightness, volume, power plans, battery percentage, Sync Settings, and external display connection. However, this feature is not enabled by default on desktop PCs, and users need to modify the Registry to activate it. This article has provided a step-by-step guide to enable the Windows Mobility Center on Windows 10 desktop and various ways to access it, such as using the search box, battery icon, Win + X menu, Run Command box, and a shortcut. By following these methods, users can access and use the Windows Mobility Center to adjust their device’s settings quickly and easily.