Visual Control Panel

Needless to say that Windows allows you to modify most default features to customize your computer both visually, and in terms of functionality. It’s all done through the Control Panel, which can be a little confusing for newcomers. Luckily, Visual Control Panel provides access to different management areas, but from a cool menu.

One of the first things you notice is the application can be launched right after download, and requires no installation in order to function. This enables you to carry it around on a thumb drive to access the Control Panel this way on any computer you use. Since it’s only a custom shortcut to Control Panel elements, registry entries remain intact during use.

The application can’t directly manage any Windows feature, but only lets you jump to specific management areas. Truth be told, the way in which this is done lifts your interest, letting you interact with different elements on a picture representing a computer on a desk. Unfortunately, there are no animations for a bit more variety.

Apart from the image itself, which comes in a fixed window size, there’s also the status bar to show the area you’re about to access. You’re get to interact with different elements ranging from computer screen, speakers, and input devices, to other elements inside the small virtual office like a clock, stack of CDs, globe, and more.

Every item takes you to a different area, but the application doesn’t cover all Control Panel areas. You’re only able to go to Regional Settings, Date and Time, Internet Options, Passwords, Add New Programs, Modems, System Properties, Mouse and Keyboard, Display, Sounds, and Multimedia.

On an ending note, Visual Control Panel does manage to provide a cool, fun way of accessing several Control Panel areas. Unfortunately, you can’t go to all of them, not even the Control Panel itself. As cool as the visual representation may be, it would have been even better to see little animations on mouseover.