Back to Show your computer who's in charge
The Windows XP Control Panel
Why switch to Classic View?
If you are used to using the Windows 98 Control Panel, you may be more comfortable with the Classic View.
Click the Switch to Classic View link to see all your Control Panel options at once. You will see something like the image shown below--but probably not exactly this, as it changes depending upon what software is installed in your computer (brief descriptions follow the image):
Add New Hardware
Add new hardware to your system.
Add/Remove Programs
Install/uninstall programs, add or remove Windows system components, or create a Windows startup disk. Always use this feature to correctly remove programs or system components.
Administrative Tools
Take control of how users use the computer.
Date/Time
Change the date and time features of Windows.
Display
Set your desktop wallpaper, monitor resolution, desktop themes, and screen savers.
Folder Options
Change how your folders look, and say whether you want to browse folders in the same window or in different windows.
Fonts
A shortcut to the fonts folder within the Windows system folder. To add or remove fonts, just cut, copy, or paste them directly into the fonts folder.
Gaming Options
Use this application to configure and test gaming controllers.
Internet Options
Features the following tabs: General, Security, Privacy, Content, Connections, Programs, and Advanced. Use this dialog box to adjust your browser's history properties, cache size, security settings, homepage, and more.
Keyboard
Use the keyboard dialog box to adjust your cursor's repeat delay, repeat rate, and blink rate. You can also set the proper language settings for your keyboard here.
Modems
Use the modem wizard to install a new modem or change modem properties.
Mouse
Features the Buttons, Pointers, Pointer Options, Wheel, and Hardware tabs. Go here to make your mouse right- or left-handed or to change the pointer to a different icon.
Network Connections
Use the network dialog box to configure network and hardware settings.
Power Options
Features settings to suspend your PC, monitor, or hard disks after periods of inactivity.
Printers
Use this dialog box to add or remove a local or network printer, or to configure default settings for your printers.
Regional and Language Settings
Change the date and time as well as how numbers are presented. This is also where you add other languages to your system.
Scanners and Cameras
Use this to add or remove scanners or cameras to your system.
Scheduled Tasks
Tell programs to run at a time convenient for you. This is also where laptop users can find power management options.
Sound and Audio Devices
Take care of everything to do with sound including your speakers, sound accessibility options, and volume. Manage the devices that bring sounds to you.
System
Provides system information such as operating system, amount of RAM, processor speed, and all the devices that are connected to your computer.
You can also access the system properties by going to your desktop, right-clicking on My Computer, and then choosing Properties.
Taskbar and Start Menu
Determine how you want your taskbar and Start menu to look and behave.
Telephony
Set up telephony drivers and dialing properties.
Users
Create multiple user profiles on the same computer.