Your guide Mark Wyciślik-Wilson says… “Microsoft would prefer you to use Settings, but the humble Control Panel still has a great deal to offer in Windows 10 – we probe its mysteries”
In earlier versions of Windows, the Control Panel was where you turned to change all manner of settings relating to hardware and the operating system itself. With Windows 10, however, Microsoft has replaced this – largely – with Settings. We say ‘largely’ because although Settings enables you to access the vast majority of Windows’ options, there are still some that are locked away in the Control Panel.
With this in mind, it is all the stranger that Microsoft has made it increasingly difficult to access the Control Pane. As Windows 10 has been updated, this handy little tool which makes it possible to change all manner of settings relating to your computer has gradually faded into the background. But it is still there, and it is still immensely useful – and could well harbour a few secrets.
Step-by-step Secrets of the Control Panel
Finding the Control Panel
Microsoft would prefer you use Settings, so the Control Panel is a little buried in the Start menu. You can find it by clicking Start, and scrolling down to the Windows System folder. To save all of the scrolling, you can also just click the Start button and start to type “control panel” to perform a search for it – you just need to click the link that appears at the top of list of results.
2 Search for settings
There are a huge number of options in the Control Panel, and it can be difficult to remember where you should look for something – this is where the search function comes in. The Control Panel functions much like a folder within Explorer, so you can search using the search box to the upper right-hand corner of the window and easily home in on something.
3 Secret search option
Searching can help discover settings you had never heard of. Try typing the letter “e” into the search box – because the vast majority, if not all, settings names include the letter ‘e’ – and press [Enter]. You’ll be presented with a massive list of settings grouped together into categories. You just need to click one to jump straight to that Control Panel applet.
4 Secret game controller applet
If you are a gamer, you might be surprised to learn that there is a hidden Game Controllers applet. Press [Win] and [R] to activate the Run dialog, and type “joy.cpl” and [Enter]. Select your controller from the list and click Properties. On the Test tab you can check that all of the buttons work, while on the Settings tab you can access the calibration wizard.
5 Access ‘god mode’
There is a hidden mode for the Control Panel that has become known as “god mode”. All it takes i
