Control Panel - Program
Management
Use of Control Panel to Add &
Remove Programs
What is Control Panel?
The Control Panel is a main part of
Microsoft Windows.
It allows users to change system settings,
install or remove software, and manage
hardware devices.
You can think of it as the “control center”
for your computer.
🧠 Example: If you want to uninstall software or
change your desktop theme, you use the
Control Panel.
Purpose of Control Panel
To manage software and hardware settings.
To add, remove, or repair programs.
To set up users and passwords.
To adjust sound, display, and time/date.
To access security and update settings.
📘 In short: Control Panel gives full control of
the system to the user.
How to Open Control Panel
There are many ways to open Control Panel
in Windows 10:
Press Windows Key + R, type control, and
press Enter.
Click on Start → Search → type “Control
Panel”.
Open File Explorer → This PC → Computer
tab → Open Control Panel.
💡 Tip: You can also pin it to the taskbar for
quick access.
Control Panel View Modes
Windows lets you view Control Panel in three
ways:
Category View: Groups items under large
categories (e.g., “Programs”, “Hardware”).
Large Icons View: Shows all tools
separately with big icons.
Small Icons View: Same as large, but
compact and fits more on screen.
🧠 Beginners Tip: Use “Large Icons” view to see
all options easily.
Main Categories in Control Panel
System and Security – For Windows updates, backup,
security.
Network and Internet – For Wi-Fi and connection
settings.
Hardware and Sound – For printers, mouse, speakers,
etc.
Programs – For installing or removing software.
User Accounts – To add or edit user profiles.
Appearance and Personalization – For themes and
wallpapers.
Clock and Region – For date/time and language.
Ease of Access – For accessibility tools like magnifier or
narrator.
Introduction to “Programs and Features”
The Programs and Features section is used
to view, change, or remove installed
software.
This is the most used area for program
management.
You can also check the size, version, and
install date of any software.
🧠 Think of it as the list of everything installed
on your PC.
Why Do We Manage Programs?
To free up disk space.
To remove unwanted or old software.
To repair broken applications.
To speed up your computer.
To keep your PC organized and secure.
Accessing Programs and Features
Open Control Panel.
Click Programs → Programs and Features.
You will now see a full list of installed
programs.
📘 Shortcut: Press Windows + R, type
[Link], and hit Enter.
Understanding the Program List
Each program in the list shows:
Name: The program’s title.
Publisher: The company who made it.
Installed On: The date it was installed.
Size: How much storage it takes.
Version: The current version number.
Sorting the Program List
You can organize the list by clicking any
column heading:
Click on Name to sort alphabetically.
Click on Installed On to see oldest/newest.
Click on Size to find large programs.
🧠 Tip: Sort by size to find big software slowing
your PC.
Installing a New Program
To install a program:
Double-click the [Link] file.
Follow steps like Next → Accept Terms →
Choose Folder → Install.
After installation, click Finish.
Program will appear in Control Panel list.
⚠️Always install software from trusted sources.
Installation File Types
Common installer file types:
.EXE – Most common Windows setup file.
.MSI – Microsoft Installer file.
.BAT – Script-based installation.
Before Installing Software
✅ Check system requirements.
✅ Ensure you have enough disk space.
✅ Close other applications.
✅ Use administrator rights to install.
After Installing Software
A shortcut is added to the desktop or Start
Menu.
The program appears under Programs and
Features.
Some software may ask for a restart.
How to Repair a Program
Some programs offer a Repair option.
Steps:
Open Control Panel → Programs and
Features.
Select program → Click Repair.
Follow on-screen steps to fix the installation.
🧠 Example: Microsoft Office or antivirus
software can be repaired this way.
Repair vs Reinstall
Repair Reinstall
Fixes missing or damaged files Installs the program again
Keeps user settings Removes and re-adds everything
Quicker Takes longer
Windows Apps vs Desktop Programs
Windows Apps Desktop Programs
Installed from Microsoft Store Installed via setup file
Touch-friendly Traditional mouse/keyboard use
Auto-updates Manual update needed
What Happens During Uninstall
Program files are removed from the hard
drive.
Registry entries are deleted.
Shortcuts disappear.
Space is freed up.
View Installed Updates
Some programs (like MS Office or Windows)
have updates.
In Programs and Features, click View
Installed Updates on the left panel.
You can uninstall an update if it causes
issues.
Changing or Modifying Programs
Some programs can be modified to add or
remove features.
Example: Microsoft Office → Add/Remove
Components.
Apply View Settings
If you want all folders to look the same:
In File Explorer → Click View → Options →
Apply to Folders.
Class Activity #1
Task:
Open Control Panel.
Switch between Category and Large Icon
view.
Find Programs and Features.
Write 5 installed program names in your
notebook.
Class Activity #2
Task:
Open Programs and Features.
Sort the list by “Installed On.”
Identify the oldest and newest programs.
MCQs: Use of Control Panel
1. What is the main purpose of the Control Panel?
A) To play games
B) To manage computer settings
C) To browse the internet
D) To delete system files
✅ Answer: B) To manage computer settings
2. Which of the following opens the Control Panel
quickly?
A) Windows + C
B) Windows + E
C) Windows + R → type control
D) Ctrl + Alt + Delete
✅ Answer: C) Windows + R → type control
3. Which Control Panel view groups items into large
sections?
A) Large Icons View
B) Small Icons View
C) Category View
D) Classic View
✅ Answer: C) Category View
4. In which Control Panel category will you find
“Programs and Features”?
A) System and Security
B) Network and Internet
C) Programs
D) Hardware and Sound
✅ Answer: C) Programs
5. Which shortcut directly opens the “Programs and
Features” window?
A) [Link]
B) msconfig
C) control panel
D) taskmgr
✅ Answer: A) [Link]
6. Which of the following details are shown in the
Programs and Features list?
A) Only the program name
B) Name, size, publisher, version, and date installed
C) Only the installation date
D) Only the publisher name
✅ Answer: B) Name, size, publisher, version, and date installed
[Link] is the correct sequence for installing a new
software?
A) Run → Control Panel → Delete Files
B) Double-click setup file → Follow steps → Finish
C) Open Microsoft Store → Restart PC
D) Copy file → Paste in C drive → Restart
✅ Answer: B) Double-click setup file → Follow steps → Finish
8. Which file extension is commonly used for Windows
installation programs?
A) .txt
B) .exe
C) .docx
D) .jpg
✅ Answer: B) .exe
[Link] should you check before installing software?
A) System requirements and disk space
B) The color of your desktop
C) The recycle bin contents
D) The number of folders on desktop
✅ Answer: A) System requirements and disk space
10. What is the function of the Repair option in
Programs and Features?
A) Uninstalls the program completely
B) Fixes missing or damaged files
C) Adds new software
D) Deletes user files
✅ Answer: B) Fixes missing or damaged files
[Link] is the difference between Repair and Reinstall?
A) Both delete the program
B) Repair fixes errors, Reinstall reinstalls everything
C) Repair installs a new version
D) Reinstall fixes minor bugs
✅ Answer: B) Repair fixes errors, Reinstall reinstalls
everything
12. Which of the following can be used to uninstall a
program?
A) Task Manager
B) Control Panel → Programs and Features
C) File Explorer
D) Command Prompt only
✅ Answer: B) Control Panel → Programs and Features
13. Which key combination opens the Run dialog box?
A) Ctrl + Shift + R
B) Alt + R
C) Windows + R
D) Windows + D
✅ Answer: C) Windows + R
14. After installing a program, where can you usually
find its shortcut?
A) Recycle Bin
B) Desktop or Start Menu
C) My Documents
D) Windows Folder
✅ Answer: B) Desktop or Start Menu
15. Which of these is not a reason to remove unused
programs?
A) Freeing up space
B) Improving performance
C) Increasing system speed
D) Reducing internet speed
✅ Answer: D) Reducing internet speed
16. Which tab in File Explorer lets you change folder
view options?
A) Home
B) View
C) Share
D) File
✅ Answer: B) View
17. What happens when a program is uninstalled?
A) It moves to another drive
B) Its files and registry entries are removed
C) It becomes hidden
D) It changes the theme
✅ Answer: B) Its files and registry entries are removed
18. Which command shows all Windows Updates
installed?
A) Check for updates
B) View installed updates
C) Add a new update
D) Update manager
✅ Answer: B) View installed updates
19. Which type of programs are downloaded from
Microsoft Store?
A) Windows Apps
B) Desktop Programs
C) BIOS Programs
D) Batch Programs
✅ Answer: A) Windows Apps
20. Which file type is a Microsoft Installer Package?
A) .exe
B) .zip
C) .msi
D) .iso
✅ Answer: C) .msi
Short Questions
Define Control Panel.
What are its main categories?
How can you access “Programs and
Features”?
Why is it important to remove unused
software?
Write any two differences between Windows
Apps and Desktop Programs.