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Microsoft Windows Control Panel | CompTIA A+ 220-1002 | 1.6

By on December 20, 2020

In this video you will learn about Microsoft Windows Control Panel utilities.

Control Panel

The Control Panel is a component of Microsoft Windows that provides the ability to view & change system settings. It consists of a set of applets that include adding or removing hardware and software, controlling user accounts, changing accessibility options, and accessing networking settings.

To access the Control Panel in Windows 8/8.1:

  • Press Windows+X, click or tap Control Panel
  • On a touchscreen
    • Open the charms menu (Windows 8/8.1)
    • Search for Control Panel, & then tap Control Panel

In Windows 10:

  • Type Control Panel in the search box
  • Select Control Panel link

Internet Options

In Windows 10, the Internet Options menu can be accessed via the Network and Internet Options link in the Control Panel.

Internet Options

Once there, the Internet Properties sheet will appear & present 7 tabs:

Internet Properties
  • General: Set the home page; set tab settings; delete browsing history, cookies, temporary files, and save passwords; change appearance; and configure accessibility settings.
  • Security: Configure security zones.
  • Privacy: Select privacy settings for the current zone, location settings, pop-up blocker, and InPrivate browsing settings.
  • Content: Set options for family safety, SSL certificate management, AutoComplete, & feeds.
  • Connections: Set options for VPNs, dial-up, LAN connections, and proxy servers.
  • Programs: Select the default web browser, manage add-ons, select the default HTML editor, and set the default apps for email & other Internet services.
  • Advanced: Enable/disable accelerated graphics; configure accessibility settings, browsing settings, HTTP settings, international settings, multimedia settings, and security settings; and reset Internet Explorer to the default settings.

Display Settings

Various display settings for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, & 10.

Windows Display Settings

User Accounts

You can manage user accounts & access to other users in Windows 8/8.1/10 from Control Panel > Accounts.

User Accounts

Folder Options

Folder Options is a special dialog that allows changing settings & preferences for the built-in file manager of Windows 10. You can open Folder Options in the Control Panel or open it from the Options menu in Explorer. The dialog includes three tabs:

Folder Options
  • General: Opens folders
  • View: Displays file & folder information
  • Search: Selects folders to index for searching

System

The System Properties sheet can be used to view:

  • Windows version
  • Edition (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Processor model number and clock speed
  • Windows Experience Index (WEI) (Windows 7 only)
System Properties Sheet for Windows 10

Change Settings in the System properties sheet for Windows 10 brings up another window which will allow for you to make the following changes:

System Properties
  • Computer name
  • Workgroup name
  • Domain name
  • System protection settings (System Restore)
  • Hardware profiles
  • Remote settings
  • Performance & virtual memory settings
    • Borrowing of hard disk space to be used as virtual memory
    • Virtual memory is often times much slower than real RAM

Windows Firewall Settings

Windows Firewall (called Windows Defender Firewall in Windows 10) is a firewall security application component of Microsoft Windows. It can block unwanted traffic going into or out of the computer.

You can access Windows Firewall by:

  • Click or tap the Windows Firewall link in the Network and Sharing Center.
  • Search for Windows Firewall and start it.
Windows Firewall

Power Options

Power Options is a setting in the Windows Control Panel, under the Hardware and Sound category. It allows the user to adjust their power plan and power settings on their computer. Some of the power options available are:

  • Hibernate: “Pauses” the system. To awaken a system from hibernation, press the power button on the computer.
  • Power Plans: Windows has 3 standard power plans
    • Balanced: Default plan that balances performance with energy consumption
    • High Performance: Fastest CPU performance, brightest screen, & shortest battery life
    • Power Saver: Reduces CPU performance & screen brightness more than the Balanced plan for longest battery life
  • Sleep/Suspend/Standby: Most laptops & desktops can be put into sleep mode by pressing a special sleep key or by pressing the power key and releasing it right away. 

Additional Control Panel Utilities

Additional Control Panel utilities that you need to know for the A+ 220-1002 exam:

Control Panel Utilities

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