Sometimes applications add icons to the Windows control panel. Ever wondered how they do it ? Wonder no more because you can now do the same with Your CPL, a small utility compatible with Windows XP, 2000, ME and Windows 98. The package contains two files that have to be moved into the system directory of the Windows installation. In the case of Windows XP it would mean that both files, YourCPL.cpl and YourCPLconfig.txt need to be moved into the system32 directory.
The YourCPLconfig.txt contains the information of which applications are added to the Windows control panel. By default a link to the Registry is added. The format for adding new entries is always the same. It begins with the path to the executable, a name for the application, a description and possible command line options. Each application has be to added in a separate line.
The line for adding Regedit to the Control Panel looks like this: c:\windows\regedit.exe Regedit Registry editor. You also need to make sure that you press TAB after each parameter, if you do not do this you will receive a CPL error showing up in the Control Panel.
As you can see it is relatively easy to add new applications to the Control Panel. Possible applications that I think are useful to add are Autoruns, Process Explorer, True Crypt and another uninstaller (Revo Uninstaller for instance).
Related posts:
Manage Additional Control Panel ExtensionsA better software uninstaller
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[...] Windows only: Add any program on your system to your Windows Control Panel with YourCPL, a two-file utility that lets you put some of your more handy system tools into one place. YourCPL is actually two files, a text configuration file and a system-tweak you place in your “System” or “System32″ folder. Add the paths to your programs in the configuration text, and they’ll show up in Control Panel (but only on the first screen if you’re using “Classic View.”) YourCPL obviously requires a little digging to get in place, but you won’t have to worry about borking your registry to do so—if you mess up, no harm, no foul. YourCPL is a free download and works with all versions of Windows. YourCPL [via gHacks] [...]
[...] Windows only: Add any program on your system to your Windows Control Panel with YourCPL, a two-file utility that lets you put some of your more handy system tools into one place. YourCPL is actually two files, a text configuration file and a system-tweak you place in your “System” or “System32″ folder. Add the paths to your programs in the configuration text, and they’ll show up in Control Panel (but only on the first screen if you’re using “Classic View.”) YourCPL obviously requires a little digging to get in place, but you won’t have to worry about borking your registry to do so—if you mess up, no harm, no foul. YourCPL is a free download and works with all versions of Windows. YourCPL [via gHacks] [...]
[...] gHacks] This entry was posted on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pm and is filed under Download, Tips. [...]