Control Panel is Empty

[Bob Reynolds]

My son was tinkering with my computer and now when I select "Control Panel"
it says it's empty. I've restored the system via GoBack 12 hours earlier but
still no luck. When I open the control panel folder it's empty.

I'm using xp pro, and any help would be appreciated
Bob Reynolds

 

[Wesley Vogel]

TweakUI???

XP Pro, you can use Group Policy (gpedit.msc).

Open Group Policy...
Start | Run | Type: gpedit.msc | OK |
Navigate to >>>

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\
Hide specified control panel applets

See, also...
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\
Show only specified control panel applets

 

[Bob Reynolds]

Wes,
Thanks for the try. Used Tweak UI and all CP appelets are checked.

TweakUI???

XP Pro, you can use Group Policy (gpedit.msc).

Open Group Policy...
Start | Run | Type: gpedit.msc | OK |
Navigate to >>>

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\
Hide specified control panel applets ***None are hidden****

See, also...
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\
Show only specified control panel applets

***When I check this, it asks me for names beacuse there are none listed.
When i select add, I have to know what I'm looking for?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Bob,

Update your antivirus software and do a complete system scan.

Also scan for scumware. some scumware disables either the Control Panel or
some *.cpl files.
----

*.cpl files are Control Panel extensions, they show up in the Control Panel.

You may not have all of these and you may have some not listed here. This
is a list from my machine.

Control Panel cpl's:

access.cpl = Accessibility Options
appwiz.cpl = Shell Application Manager = Add Remove Programs
desk.cpl = Desktop Control Panel = Display Properties
hdwwiz.cpl = Add Hardware Control Panel Applet
inetcpl.cpl = Internet Control Panel = Internet Properties
intl.cpl = Regional and Language Options
irprops.cpl = Wireless Link Control Panel Applet
joy.cpl = Game Controllers
jpicpl32.cpl = JavaPlugin
main.cpl = Mouse Properties
mmsys.cpl = Sounds and Audio Device Properties
ncpa.cpl = Network Connections Control-Panel Stub
nusrmgr.cpl = Windows User Manager = Users Accounts
nvtuicpl.cpl = NVIDIA nView Control Panel, Version 52.16
nwc.cpl = Client Service for NetWare Applet
odbccp32.cpl = Microsoft Data Access - ODBC Control Panel
plotman.cpl = Autodesk Hardcopy Plotter Manager
powercfg.cpl = Power Management Configuration Control Panel Applet or Power
Options Properties
SanCpl.cpl = SiSoftware Sandra™ English Control Panel Extension (Win32
x86)(NT)(ANSI)
sapi.cpl = SAPI 5 = Speech Properties
sysdm.cpl = System Properties
styleman.cpl = Autodesk Hardcopy Plot Style Manager
telephon.cpl = Telephony Control Panel
timedate.cpl = Time Date Control Panel Applet
wuaucpl.cpl = Automatic Updates Control Panel (Added by SP2??)
Wscui.cpl = SP2 Security Center (SP2)

The Control Panel is control.exe.
This should open the Control Panel...

Start | Run | Type: control | OK

To open any *.cpl file, type the name in the Run box.
I.e. Start | Run | Type: desk.cpl | OK

 

[Bob Reynolds]

I have all the cpl files on the computer. Unfortunately something is keeping
them from being displayed in the control panel folder. I've created a
shortcut to the control panel and made sure all the cpl files are
shortcutted there, but all I have is the generic icon, not the regular
control panel display. I've tried to make them have the same settings as the
other computers I have here, but no luck. I'm stumpled...

BOB