Launching Control Panel Apps from the Command Line

In a previous tip I listed the .msc files for different admin tools so you could easily access them from the command line if needed. This can be particularly useful if you normally log on to your admin workstation using a limited account and use Runas to perform admin tasks.

You can also launch Control Panel apps from the command line, and here's a list of .cpl files for your reference that you can print out and paste on the wall beside your workstation until you've memoried the ones you use most commonly:

Accessibility Options
 access.cpl

Add/Remove Programs
 appwiz.cpl

Add Hardware Wizard
 hdwwiz.cpl

Automatic Updates
 wuaucpl.cpl

Bluetooth Properties
 bthprops.cpl

Display Properties
 desk.cpl

Firewall Properties
 firewall.cpl

Game Controllers
 joy.cpl

Internet Options
 inetcpl.cpl

iSCSI Initiator
 iscsicpl.cpl

Java Control Panel
 jpicpl32.cpl
 
Licensing Mode
 liccpa.cpl

Mouse Properties
 main.cpl

Network Connections
 ncpa.cpl

Network Setup Wizard
 netsetup.cpl

ODBC Properties
 odbccp32.cpl

Power Options
 powercfg.cpl

Regional and Language Options
 intl.cpl

Sound and Audio Devices
 mmsys.cpl

Stored Passwords
 keymgr.cpl

System Properties
 sysdm.cpl

Telephone and Modem Properties
 telephon.cpl

Time and Date Settings
 timedate.cpl

User Accounts nusrmgr.cpl

Windows Security Center
 wscui.cpl

Wireless Link
 irprops.cpl

Cheers,
Mitch Tulloch