Security Tweaks - Hide Control Panel Applets

This tweak allows you to show or hide specific applets found in the Windows Control Panel.

To change this, follow the next steps:

  1. Open the Registry Editor click on the Start button on your taskbar, then click on Run and type "regedit" and click on OK to start the regedit utility.
     
  2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\don't load (see picture 1).

    Picture 1
  3. For each applet you want to hide create a new string value and call it the filename of the applet to be hidden (for example "fax.cpl"). Set the value to equal "No" to hide the applet or delete the value to display it.

  4. Common Control Panel Applets:
     
    • access.cpl - Accessibility Applet
    • appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs Applet
    • console.cpl - Console Applet
    • timedate.cpl - Date and Time Applet
    • desk.cpl - Display Applet
    • fax.cpl - Fax Applet
    • hdwwiz.cpl - Hardware Wizard Applet
    • irprops.cpl - Infrared Port Applet
    • intl.cpl - International and Regional Applet
    • inetcpl.cpl - Internet Settings Applet
    • joy.cpl - Joystick Applet
    • liccpa.cpl - Licensing Applet
    • main.cpl - Mouse and Keyboard Applet
    • mlcfg32.cpl - Mail Applet
    • mmsys.cpl - Sound and Multimedia Applet
    • modem.cpl - Modem and Phone Applet
    • ncpa.cpl - Network and connectivity Applet
    • netcpl.cpl - Network and Dial-up Connectivity Applet
    • nwc.cpl - Netware Client Applet
    • odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Applet
    • devapps.cpl - PC Card Applet
    • ports.cpl - Ports Applet
    • powercfg.cpl - Power Management Applet
    • sticpl.cpl - Scanner and Camera Applet
    • srvmgr.cpl - Server Manager Applet
    • sapi.cpl - Speech Properties Applet
    • sysdm.cpl - System Applet
    • telephon.cpl - Telephony Applet
    • tweakui.cpl - TweakUI Applet
    • nusrmgr.cpl - User Manager Applet
    • wspcpl32.cpl - WSP Client Applet
    • quicktime.cpl - QuickTime Applet
    • S32LUCP1.cpl - Norton Live Update Applet
    • cpqmgmt.cpl - Compaq Insight Agents Applet
       
  5. The modifications you made will be in effect after you reboot your PC.

 


Author:

Lex van der Horst

Date Added:

06-11-2004

Last Reviewed:

06-11-2004