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  Wizard of OS   

CONTROL PANEL
This is the command center for Windows and your computer system.  As I did above, I'll show you the control panel and then give you a short explanation of what each item does.  The pic below is my control panel and although you can change the look of the menu itself, the items in the control panel are usually all the same (except where there are different hardware and software items installed).

              Control Panel

Accessibility Options - Adjust display, sound, and mouse settings to make Windows more user friendly for folks who may be impaired.

Add Hardware - Hardware wizard to help you install new hardware or troubleshoot hardware. 

Add or Remove Programs - Add, remove, and change programs installed on your computer.  You can also add or remove Windows components.

Administrative Tools - Manage your system, it's services and performance.

Automatic Updates - Control how Windows handles it's software updates.

Date and Time - Change the date and time, as well as, the time zone on your computer clock.

Display - Change the look of your desktop, screen resolution, color management, graphics card properties, and turn on screen savers.

Folder Options - Change the look of your folders, how they open, file and folder advanced settings, and whether you are required to single or double-click on folders and icons to open them.

Fonts - View fonts installed on your computer and install new ones.

Game Controllers - Change settings of game controllers installed on your computer.

Intel Extreme Graphics 2 - (graphics card installed on my pc) Change screen resolution and rotation or choose to use multiple monitors if you have more than one monitor attached to your system.

Internet Options - Change Internet Explorer settings, your home page, security options, control content viewed on your computer, set up internet connections, and more (using advanced settings).

Keyboard - Adjust the speed of your cursor blink and the repeat key rate.

Mouse - Change the look and speed of your pointer, the double-click rate, and switch mouse buttons (comes in handy for left-handed folk).

Network Connections - View available network connections on your computer, add a new connection, or set up a network for your home.

Network Setup Wizard - Follow steps to set up a home network so can share files, other drives, and printers.

Phone and Modem Options - Edit dialing rules and modem properties.

Power Options - Change power scheme settings for when and if your system shuts down your monitor and/or hard drive, goes into standby or hibernate modes, what happens when you press your computer's power button, and whether the power options icon appears in the taskbar.

Printers and Faxes - View installed devices, add a new printer, set up your fax.

Regional and Language Options - Select the language and regional options, like the number, date, time and currency formats used for your system and install new ones.

Scanners and Cameras - View devices installed on your computer or add a new one.

Scheduled Tasks - Add tasks that Windows will carry out on the days and times you specify.  (ie... run a program such as defrag.)

Security Center - Manager your Windows security settings including firewall, automatic updates, virus protection, and security alerts.

Sounds and Audio Devices - Change volume settings for sound, audio, voice, and output device (speakers or headphones).  Change sounds made when certain events happen in Windows (ie... computer startup).  Decide whether you want to have the volume icon on the taskbar.

Speech - Hook up a microphone and train the computer to recognize your speech and pattern.  Then use the voice command system to open and close programs and dictate letters OR to read them back to you.

System - View your OS version, CPU speed, amount of RAM, computer name and workgroup, hardware devices installed on your computer, and computer performance, as well as, system restore, automatic update, and remote assistance settings.

Taskbar and Start Menu - Customize the look of your taskbar and start menu.

User Accounts - Create user accounts and passwords for guests or another person (if you share a computer).  Once logged in, each person customize Windows with their own preferences. 

Windows Firewall - Turn on/off the firewall, create exceptions to firewall blocks, or change network, security, or ICMP settings.

Wireless Network Setup Wizard - Follow steps to set up your wireless home network.