Microsoft

Windows 7 Walkthrough: Programs Control Panel

By · November 4, 2009, 2:51 AM PST

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  • Windows 7 Walkthrough: Programs Control Panel

    Windows 7’s Control Panel is literally packed with tools (a.k.a. applets) that allow you to configure and control the way that the operating system works. Because the Control Panel has so many tools, Microsoft added a Search box to make it easy for you to find the tool that you need for a particular task.

    To help you become familiar with all of the tools that are available in Windows 7’s Control Panel, I have created the Windows 7 Walkthrough series in which I’ll show you and provide a brief overview of each tool in the Control Panel categories. This one covers the tools in the Programs category.

    Keep in mind that I’ll be using the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, which contains some features not available in other editions of the operating system.

  • Category View

    When you access Windows 7’s Control Panel you’ll see that there are 8 main categories. The Programs category is the fourth one in the Control Panel and contains all the tools that you’ll use to uninstall programs or Windows features, manage gadgets, and more.

    Keep in mind that while I am using the Category view, you can display the Control Panel in either large or small icon view, both of which show icons for each of the 45 tools.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Programs

    When you open the Programs category you’ll see that there are 3 sections in this category.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Programs and Features

    When you access Programs and Features you’ll find a list of all the applications that are installed on your Windows 7 system including the date on which they were installed. You can also uninstall any application.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Installed Updates

    If you select View Installed Updates, you’ll see a list of all the updates that Windows Update has installed on your system. You can also uninstall any update.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Turn Windows features on or off

    If you select Turn Windows features on or off, you’ll see an expandable tree list showing all the available features in Windows 7. You can enable and disable any of the features by selecting or clearing the associated check box. Windows 7 allows you to disable such features as Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, or Windows Search and use third-party alternatives.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Program Compatibility

    Back on the Programs window and under the Programs and Features section, you can select Run Programs Made for Previous Versions of Windows and access the Program Compatibility wizard, which will walk you through the steps involved in configuring appropriate settings to allow older applications to run from within Windows 7.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Default Programs

    When you select the Default Programs item in the Programs window, you’ll have access to four items that you can use to manage how your programs work.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Set your default programs

    Using the features in this window you can specify which programs will be the default program that Windows will run when you select a certain type of file. You can then associate the program with all file types or choose only certain file types.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Set Program Associations

    If you select Choose defaults for this program, you can individually select file type associations from this window.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Associate a file type or protocol with a program

    Back on the Default Programs window, you can view and change any of the default file associations for all the available programs and file types.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Change AutoPlay Settings

    From the Default Programs window you can access the AutoPlay configuration window that is also available from the Hardware and Sound category.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Set Program Access and Computer Defaults

    You can use the settings in the Set Program Access and Computer Defaults window to further fine tune the default program used for certain activities, such as web browsing, sending e-mail, playing audio and video files, using instant messaging, and running Java applets.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Desktop Gadgets

    As you may know, Windows 7 doesn’t have the Windows Sidebar container for Gadgets. As such, you can access the Gadgets user interface from within the Program window.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Programs Walkthrough Map

    This tree diagram presents a map of the Programs walkthrough.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

Windows 7 Walkthrough: Programs Control Panel

Windows 7’s Control Panel is literally packed with tools (a.k.a. applets) that allow you to configure and control the way that the operating system works. Because the Control Panel has so many tools, Microsoft added a Search box to make it easy for you to find the tool that you need for a particular task.

To help you become familiar with all of the tools that are available in Windows 7’s Control Panel, I have created the Windows 7 Walkthrough series in which I’ll show you and provide a brief overview of each tool in the Control Panel categories. This one covers the tools in the Programs category.

Keep in mind that I’ll be using the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, which contains some features not available in other editions of the operating system.

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Greg Shultz

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.

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