Customize Your Windows Control Panel

If you wish to edit the Control Panel of your computer in such a way that it displays only the options which you use and hide the others, you can do this by going through the guide. This method makes use of the option provided by Windows by default and is easier to implement and far safer than using third party applications to serve the purpose.

Steps

All Windows Versions Except 95,98 & ME

  1. Open the Run command by pressing *Windows Key* + R. Type gpedit.msc and press Ok.
  2. Go to User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Control Panel . Open Hide specified Control Panel Items.(Open image in new tab to view clearly)
  3. Enable the feature. Then click on Show and specify the name of Item(s) and click OK. Then click OK for the main option too.
  4. Expect the item(s) to now simply disappear.

For Windows 95,98 & ME

  1. Search for the file %windir%\Control.INI file and open it.
  2. In the file , search for a line "don't load". If it doesn't exist then create one.
  3. Search for the name of ".cpl" file corresponding to the item you want to hide from the list above.
  4. Under the don't load line, set the name of desired .cpl file as filename.cpl=no. For example, powercfg.cpl=no will hide Power Options.

Using TweakUI Power Toy (For XP only)

Microsoft has an official Power Toy called TweakUI to easily hide/show control panel items.This tool can be downloaded from here.

  1. Run the application and click Control Panel.
  2. Show or hide as required. In the right hand side list, check or uncheck the items you want to show/hide accordingly.



Tips

  • By using the Show specified Control Panel Items you can create a white list of the items you want to be displayed.
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