Introduction
So you want to launch a control panel applet (something like fonts, display property, etc.) through your code. You can do that easily by calling Process.Start() with a parameter in your C# code.
The problem is what do you pass in as your parameter.
That would depend on the OS. For Windows XP, here is the list of shortcuts:
- Accessibility - Options access.cpl
- Add New Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl
- Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
- Date and Time Properties - timedate.cpl
- Display Properties - desk.cpl
- FindFast - findfast.cpl
- Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl
- Joystick Properties - joy.cpl
- Keyboard Properties - main.cpl keyboard
- Mouse Properties - main.cpl
- Network Properties - ncpl.cpl
- Network Setup wizard – netsetup.cpl
- Password Properties - password.cpl
- Phone and Modem options - telephon.cpl
- Power Management - powercfg.cpl
- Regional settings - intl.cpl
- Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
- Sound Properties - mmsys.cpl sounds
- Sounds and Audio Device Properties - mmsys.cpl
- System Properties - sysdm.cpl
- User settings - nusrmgr.cpl
In fact, these shortcuts can also be typed into the command prompt and they launch the respective control panel applet. To launch control panel itself, type in Control in the command prompt.
If you are using Windows Vista, Microsoft recommends that we use a .exe file rather than a .cpl file. More information about that can be found here.
The launch shortcut for Vista has also changed. Here is the new shortcut format - control.exe /name shortcut.
Here is the list of shortcuts for Vista:
- Microsoft.AddHardware - Microsoft.PenAndInputDevices
- Microsoft.AdministrativeTools - Microsoft.PeopleNearMe
- Microsoft.AudioDevicesAndSoundThemes - Microsoft.PerformaceInformationAndTools
- Microsoft.AutoPlay - Microsoft.Personalization
- Microsoft.BackupAndRestoreCenter - Microsoft.PhoneAndModemOptions
- Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption - Microsoft.PowerOptions
- Microsoft.Bluetooth - Microsoft.Printers
- Microsoft.CardSpace - Microsoft.ProblemReportsAndSolutions
- Microsoft.ColorManagement - Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures
- Microsoft.DateAndTime - Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions
- Microsoft.DefaultPrograms - Microsoft.ScannersAndCameras
- Microsoft.DeviceManager - Microsoft.SecurityCenter
- Microsoft.EaseOfAccessCenter - Microsoft.SpeechRecognitionOptions
- Microsoft.FolderOptions - Microsoft.SyncCenter
- Microsoft.Fonts - Microsoft.System
- Microsoft.GameControllers - Microsoft.TabletPCSettings
- Microsoft.GetPrograms - Microsoft.TaskbarAndStartMenu
- Microsoft.GetProgramsOnline - Microsoft.TextToSpeech
- Microsoft.IndexingOptions - Microsoft.UserAccounts
- Microsoft.Infrared - Microsoft.WelcomeCenter
- Microsoft.InternetOptions - Microsoft.WindowsAnytimeUpgrade
- Microsoft.iSCSIInitiator - Microsoft.WindowsDefender
- Microsoft.Keyboard - Microsoft.WindowsFirewall
- Microsoft.MobilityCenter - Microsoft.WindowsSideShow
- Microsoft.Mouse - Microsoft.WindowsSidebarProperties
- Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter - Microsoft.WindowsUpdate
- Microsoft.OfflineFiles - Microsoft.ParentalControls
Update: For Windows 7, try this list.
- Accessibility Options - control access.cpl
- Add New Hardware - control sysdm.cpl
- Add/Remove Programs - control appwiz.cpl
- Date/Time Properties - control timedate.cpl
- Display Properties - control desk.cpl
- FindFast - control findfast.cpl
- Fonts Folder - control fonts
- Internet Properties - control inetcpl.cpl
- Joystick Properties - control joy.cpl
- Keyboard Properties - control main.cpl keyboard
- Microsoft Exchange - control mlcfg32.cpl
- Microsoft Mail Post Office - control wgpocpl.cpl
- Modem Properties - control modem.cpl
- Mouse Properties - control main.cpl
- Multimedia Properties - control mmsys.cpl
- Network Properties - control netcpl.cpl
- Password Properties - control password.cpl
- PC Card - control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA)
- Printers Folder - control printers
- Regional Settings - control intl.cpl
- Scanners and Cameras - control sticpl.cpl
- Sound Properties - control mmsys.cpl sounds
- System Properties - control sysdm.cpl
Cheers!
