In our daily computer tasks, we use Desktop Properties quite often. Sometimes to change Desktop wallpaper, sometimes to change Windows theme and sometimes to change Display settings like screen resolution, monitor settings, etc.
For each change, we need to go through various steps: right-click on Desktop and select "Properties / Personalize" and then go to the desired tab and make required changes. Will not it be easier if we could create direct shortcuts to these tabs so that we can launch the desired tab just by double-clicking on the shortcut?
So in this tutorial, I'm going to tell some useful commands to open various Desktop Properties tabs. You can use them to create shortcuts, to create programs or you can directly run them from RUN dialog box or Windows Explorer.
So here are the various commands to launch Desktop Properties tabs directly:
Command to open "Themes" page:
control desk.cpl,,@themes
Command to open "Desktop Background" page:
control desk.cpl,,@desktop
OR
control desk.cpl,,@background
Command to open "Screen Saver" page:
control desk.cpl,,1
OR
control desk.cpl,,@screensaver
Command to open "Appearance" page:
control desk.cpl,,2
OR
control desk.cpl,,@appearance
Command to open "Display Settings" page:
control desk.cpl,,3
OR
control desk.cpl,,@display
NOTE: You can use any integer from 3-9 in the first shortcut command for creating shortcut for Display Properties.
Command to open "Desktop Icon Settings" page:
control desk.cpl,,0
OR
control desk.cpl,,@web
Command to open "DPI Scaling" page:
dpiscaling
Command to open "Window Colorization" page:
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\1\::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921}\pageColorization
PS: The command for "DPI Scaling" and "Window Colorization" will only work in Windows Vista. Rest commands will work in other Windows versions as well.
You can run these command directly from RUN dialog box or if you want to create shortcuts, then right-click on desktop and select "New -> Shortcut", it'll open a wizard:
Enter the desired shortcut command and click on "Next" button. It'll ask for name of shortcut, provide a meaningful name:
And click on "Finish" button. That's it. It'll create the shortcut.
I'm also attaching a ZIP file containing all the above mentioned shortcuts, just download it, extract it and you'll get the ready-made shortcuts:
Download Ready-Made Desktop Properties Tabs Shortcuts
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Ignition
Hey VG,
This is really good trick. Well not maybe a trick but i like it :)
happyandyk
Nice, new and useful tip !
rw
This is great stuff. Thanks.
cm
Thanks a ton!!!! you rock!!
Alex
I love it! Thanks. It'll save me lots lots of time!
Robero aka Garry
VG: I came across these while surfing your site. You amaze me VG,as you always have
tricks up your sleeve. These are extremely usefull and a time saver, I just wish I had 5%
of the knowledge you have. As I have said many times on the hobby lounge,you have
helped out many of our members whether it be a noob or knowledgeable person. Your
tutorials are very easy to understand and the information that comes with it in my oppinion
far exceeds my expectations. So I truly thankyou for it all. With much respect :Robero
Neosphear
OMG!!! You're my hero! I've been wanting something like this ever since I installed vista!
Harsh
In which i write these commands????
VG
^^ Please check the last part of the above tutorial.
Houston
This was very helpful and perfectly explained. Thanks a lot!