Stupid Windows 7 tricks: pin control panel to your taskbar

Running Windows 7?

If you constantly fiddle with settings and install and uninstall as many apps as I do during the course of a week, do yourself a favor: pin the Control panel to your taskbar.

Doing so gives you two-click access to system tools you've probably been utilizing frequently, like Programs and Features, system properties, Action Center, and Notifications.

Since jumplists automatically update with recent programs, it also makes getting back to that screen you just closed accidentally a little bit easier.

It's a handy way to assemble shortcuts to panels like ncpa.cpl (the missing connect to -> show all connections), screen resolution, and personalization.

You can also use Vista's control.exe /name [friendly name] command to add some more handy options. Try it with Microsoft.DeviceManager, Microsoft.AdministrativeTool, or Microsoft.MobilityCenter. After you've launched one of them, just right-click your control panel icon and you can pin 'em up for easy access later.

Wait, how do I pin it in the first place? Launch anything that falls under the Control Panel umbrella - personalize, resolution, etc. Right click and pin. It'll automatically set itself to Control Panel!