Understanding the Windows XP Control Panel
To access the Control Panel, click the Start button, go to Settings and finally click on Control Panel. You should see a window similar to the one below.
Appearance and Themes
- Allows you change the theme of windows (Blue, plastic-looking, Classic Windows or whatever you can come up with), the desktop background (a.k.a. Wallpaper), the screen saver, or the screen resolution.Network and Internet Connections
- Displays the current internet connection(s), allows you enable the built-in firewall, allows you to add new internet connections, and also configure any existing connections.Add or Remove Programs
- Lets you add optional Windows features and/or remove programs currently installed on your computer.Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices
- Use to alter the speaker output volume, configure sound input/output devices, and set up speech recognition and text-to-speech.Performance and Maintenance
- Set up tasks that will automatically run according to a schedule of your choosing, view system information, and control power options such as amount of time your computer will run before going into "standby mode".Printers and Other Hardware
- Allows for adding, removing, and altering printers and similar hardware.User Accounts
- Used to set up additional user accounts, alter the password or type of an account, or change the way users log into Windows.Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options
- For changing the time displayed by Windows as well as the format in which it is displayed.Accessibility Options
- Configure windows to work for special vision, hearing, or mobility needs.Return to Windows XP Support Center
Last Updated: 04/24/2008