Modify Control Panel Categories

I'm sure you're familiar with the new Control Panel in XP. Even if you like the new style you might at times wish you could shift some items around into a different category. It's possible. Follow the directions below.


[Start] --> [Run] --> Type Regedit --> Press Enter --> then Navigate to following key.


Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Extended Properties\{305CA226-D286-468e-B848-2B2E8E697B74} 2


Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.


Data Type: DWORD // Value Name: Choose one of the applets with .cpl extension
Setting for Value Data: [Select the location from table below]

Other Control Panel Options	0
Appearance and Themes	1
Printers and Other Hardware	2
Network and Internet Connections	3
Sounds, Speed, and Audio Devices	4
Performance and Maintenance	5
Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options	6
Accessibility Options	7
Add or Remove Programs	8
User Accounts	9

Exit Registry and Reboot

To further customize the items that appear in the new Control Panel, do a search of your system for all files that end in .cpl extension. If they aren't already listed, you can add them with a new DWORD value and then assign them to a category of your choosing.