How to Change the Windows 7 Default Control Panel View
Information
This will show you how to change the Windows 7 Control Panel view from either the default Category view, or all items with Small icons or Large icons view.
OPTION ONE
Through the Control Panel
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Click on the Control Panel button on the right. (see screenshot below)
3. To Have the Control Panel with the Category View
A) Click on the View by drop down menu arrow, and select (dot) Category. (see screenshot above)
4. For All Control Panel Items with Large Icons View
A) Click on the View by drop down menu arrow, and select (dot) Large items. (see screenshot above)
5. For All Control Panel Items with Small Icons View
A) Click on the View by drop down menu arrow, and select (dot) Small items. (see screenshot above)
6. Close the Control Panel when done. NOTE:When you close the Control Panel, whatever view you have selected will automatically be the same view the next time you open the Control Panel.
2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Control Panel.
3. In the right pane, right click on Always open All Control Panel Items when opening the Control Panel and click on Properties. (see screenshot above)
4. To Force Icons as the Default Control Panel View
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 7.
5. To Force Category as the Default Control Panel View
A) Select (dot) Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Unforce All Views as the Default Control Panel View NOTE:This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below step 7)
7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
9. If open, close and reopen Control Panel to see changes.
OPTION THREE
Using a REG File Download
1. To Force Icons as the Default Control Panel View
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Force_Control_Panel_Icons_View.reg
B) Go to step 4.
2. To Force Category as the Default Control Panel View
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Force_Control_Panel_Category_View.reg
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Unforce All Views as the Default Control Panel View NOTE:This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Unforce_Control_Panel_View.reg
4. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
6. Click on Run, Yes, and OK when prompted.
7. If open, close and reopen Control Panel to see changes.
8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION FOUR
Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.
2. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
3. To Force Icons as the Default Control Panel View
A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (see screenshot above) NOTE:If you already have the ForceClassicControlPanel DWORD entry, then go to step 3C instead.
B) Type ForceClassicControlPanel and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
C) Right click on ForceClassicControlPanel and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
D) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
E) The registry will now look like this. (see screenshot below)
F) Go to step 6.
4. To Force Category as the Default Control Panel View
A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (see screenshot above) NOTE:If you already have the ForceClassicControlPanel DWORD entry, then go to step 4C instead.
B) Type ForceClassicControlPanel and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
C) Right click on ForceClassicControlPanel and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
D) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
E) The registry will now look like this. (see screenshot below)
F) Go to step 6.
5. To Unforce All Views as the Default Control Panel View NOTE:This is the default setting.
A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on ForceClassicControlPanel and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
6. Close Regedit.
7. If open, close and reopen Control Panel to see changes.
To Make All Control Panel Items the Default View -
A) Right click on a empty space in the Control Panel.
B) Select (check) Set as Default Control Panel View.
System Manufacturer/Model Number HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64/ Windows Vista Ultimate x64 CPU AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz Motherboard Asus M2N68-LA Memory PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit Graphics Card PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB Sound Card On board RealTek Monitor(s) Displays Acer X163W LCD Screen Resolution 1366x768
Keyboard Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons Mouse Wireless Logitech LX7 PSU Dynex 400w Case Nothin Special Cooling Stock Hard Drives Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
7200 rpm
Western Digital 160 GB IDE Internet Speed Comcrap 10mb cable Other Info Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
System Manufacturer/Model Number Thinkpad T60 OS Windows 7 build 6956 CPU Core Duo 2Ghz Memory 2GB Graphics Card ATI Mobility x1400 Monitor(s) Displays 15''
Thank you for reminding me of this. In build 6956, Option One (step 5) is no longer there. Instead, Windows 7 will reopen the Control Panel to whichever view you had open when you last closed the Control Panel.
I think it is a forgetful omission. It was really useful and will ceratinly be resinstated - I think?
Fwiw. I notice that they have also dropped the Menu Classic view. PIty, it was very popular in Vista and 6801.
Ok. I,ve found a compromise. If you would rather it opened ALWAYS in the Full View, with the option to switch to the other view.
Open GPedit.msc - User Configuration.
Open Administartive Templates - Control Panel
Enable the item "Always Open All Control Panel items.....
5. To Make All Control Panel Items the Default View -
NOTE: Special thanks to our member davehc for finding this option. In Windows 7 build 6956, this option is no longer available. Instead, Windows 7 build 6956 will automatically reopen the Control Panel to whichever view (Home or All Items) you had open when you last closed the Control Panel.
A) Right click on a empty space in the Control Panel. (See screenshot above)
B) Select (check) Set as Default Control Panel View. (See screenshot above)
System Manufacturer/Model Number HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64/ Windows Vista Ultimate x64 CPU AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz Motherboard Asus M2N68-LA Memory PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit Graphics Card PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB Sound Card On board RealTek Monitor(s) Displays Acer X163W LCD Screen Resolution 1366x768
Keyboard Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons Mouse Wireless Logitech LX7 PSU Dynex 400w Case Nothin Special Cooling Stock Hard Drives Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
7200 rpm
Western Digital 160 GB IDE Internet Speed Comcrap 10mb cable Other Info Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
Information
OPTION ONE 
Quote: Originally Posted by Buckeye25 
