Developer Quick Reference Hub

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Windows Control Panel Commands ​

Quick access to Windows Control Panel applets and management consoles using .cpl and .msc commands via the Run dialog (Win + R).

Control Panel Applets (.cpl) ​

Quick Reference ​

CommandOpensDescription
controlControl PanelMain Control Panel window
sysdm.cplSystem PropertiesComputer name, domain, hardware
ncpa.cplNetwork ConnectionsNetwork adapters and connections
appwiz.cplPrograms and FeaturesUninstall or change programs
desk.cplDisplay PropertiesDisplay settings
firewall.cplWindows FirewallFirewall configuration
inetcpl.cplInternet OptionsInternet Explorer settings
timedate.cplDate and TimeTime zone and clock settings
mmsys.cplSoundSound playback and recording devices
powercfg.cplPower OptionsPower plans and sleep settings

All Control Panel Applets ​

Display and Personalization ​

CommandOpens
desk.cplDisplay Properties
dpiscalingDisplay (DPI Scaling)
colorcplColor Management
fontsFonts folder

Hardware and Sound ​

CommandOpens
mmsys.cplSound
joy.cplGame Controllers
hdwwiz.cplAdd Hardware Wizard
irprops.cplInfrared
tabletpc.cplPen and Touch

Network and Internet ​

CommandOpens
ncpa.cplNetwork Connections
inetcpl.cplInternet Options
firewall.cplWindows Firewall

System and Security ​

CommandOpens
sysdm.cplSystem Properties
powercfg.cplPower Options
firewall.cplWindows Firewall
wscui.cplSecurity and Maintenance
bthprops.cplBluetooth Settings

User Accounts ​

CommandOpens
userpasswordsUser Accounts
netplwizUser Accounts (Advanced)
credwizCredential Manager

Programs ​

CommandOpens
appwiz.cplPrograms and Features

Hardware ​

CommandOpens
main.cplMouse Properties
telephon.cplPhone and Modem

Regional and Language ​

CommandOpens
intl.cplRegion
timedate.cplDate and Time

Ease of Access ​

CommandOpens
access.cplEase of Access Center
utilmanUtility Manager

Management Consoles (.msc) ​

Quick Reference ​

CommandOpensDescription
devmgmt.mscDevice ManagerManage hardware devices
compmgmt.mscComputer ManagementComprehensive system management
services.mscServicesManage Windows services
diskmgmt.mscDisk ManagementManage disk drives and partitions
eventvwr.mscEvent ViewerView system and application logs
perfmon.mscPerformance MonitorMonitor system performance
taskschd.mscTask SchedulerSchedule automated tasks
gpedit.mscGroup Policy EditorEdit local group policies (Pro/Enterprise)
lusrmgr.mscLocal Users and GroupsManage users and groups (Pro/Enterprise)
certmgr.mscCertificate ManagerManage certificates

All Management Consoles ​

System Management ​

CommandOpens
compmgmt.mscComputer Management
devmgmt.mscDevice Manager
eventvwr.mscEvent Viewer
services.mscServices
taskschd.mscTask Scheduler
msconfigSystem Configuration
perfmon.mscPerformance Monitor
resmonResource Monitor

Disk and Storage ​

CommandOpens
diskmgmt.mscDisk Management
cleanmgrDisk Cleanup
dfrguiDefragment and Optimize Drives

Security and Certificates ​

CommandOpens
certmgr.mscCertificate Manager (User)
certlm.mscCertificate Manager (Local Computer)
secpol.mscLocal Security Policy
tpm.mscTrusted Platform Module (TPM)

User and Group Management ​

CommandOpens
lusrmgr.mscLocal Users and Groups
azman.mscAuthorization Manager

Group Policy ​

CommandOpens
gpedit.mscLocal Group Policy Editor
rsop.mscResultant Set of Policy

Network ​

CommandOpens
wf.mscWindows Firewall with Advanced Security

Windows Features ​

CommandOpens
optionalfeaturesWindows Features
dcomcnfgComponent Services
odbcad32ODBC Data Source Administrator

Printing ​

CommandOpens
printmanagement.mscPrint Management

Remote Desktop ​

CommandOpens
tsmmc.mscRemote Desktop Services Manager

How to Use ​

Via Run Dialog ​

  1. Press Win + R
  2. Type the command (e.g., ncpa.cpl)
  3. Press Enter

Via Command Prompt ​

cmd
control ncpa.cpl
devmgmt.msc

Via PowerShell ​

powershell
control ncpa.cpl
devmgmt.msc

Just type the command in the Start menu search.

Common Use Cases ​

Network Configuration ​

Win + R → ncpa.cpl
  • View and configure network adapters
  • Enable/disable network connections
  • View connection properties

System Properties ​

Win + R → sysdm.cpl
  • Change computer name
  • Join domain or workgroup
  • Configure system protection
  • View hardware information

Uninstall Programs ​

Win + R → appwiz.cpl
  • Uninstall applications
  • View installed updates
  • Turn Windows features on/off

Manage Services ​

Win + R → services.msc
  • Start/stop Windows services
  • Configure service startup type
  • View service dependencies

Device Management ​

Win + R → devmgmt.msc
  • Update drivers
  • Disable/enable devices
  • Troubleshoot hardware issues

Disk Management ​

Win + R → diskmgmt.msc
  • Create/delete partitions
  • Format drives
  • Assign drive letters
  • Extend/shrink volumes

View System Logs ​

Win + R → eventvwr.msc
  • Check for system errors
  • View application logs
  • Monitor security events

Windows 11 Settings ​

Many Control Panel items are being migrated to Windows Settings (Win + I). Some settings are now only available in the new Settings app.

Open Specific Settings ​

Win + R → ms-settings:<section>

Examples:

ms-settings:network
ms-settings:display
ms-settings:bluetooth
ms-settings:sound
ms-settings:personalization

Troubleshooting ​

Command Not Found ​

  • Some .msc consoles are not available in Windows Home edition (e.g., gpedit.msc, lusrmgr.msc)
  • Ensure you're running the command with appropriate permissions
  • Some features require administrator privileges

Access Denied ​

  1. Right-click Start menu
  2. Select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)"
  3. Run the command from the elevated prompt

Opening as Administrator ​

cmd
runas /user:Administrator "mmc devmgmt.msc"

Or:

  1. Press Win + X
  2. Select "Windows Terminal (Admin)"
  3. Run the command

See Also ​

External Resources ​

Released under the MIT License.

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