Description of the Control Panel Applets in Windows Server 2008

Some Control Panel applets control fairly simple sets of options, while others are relatively complex. As in other Windows platforms, the Windows Server 2008 Control Panel serves as a control center for configuring hardware and operating system settings. 

Applets that require no explanation (such as configuring the mouse, game controllers, and so on) are not included. In addition, note that not all applets appear in the Control Panel by default. The Wireless Link applet, for example, only appears on systems with infrared ports or similar wireless hardware.

To open the Control Panel, click Start → Control Panel. If you’ve configured the Start menu to expand the Control Panel and want to open the Control Panel folder, click Start, then right-click
Control Panel and click Open. You also can open the Control Panel from My Computer.

TIP: You can configure the Start menu to display the Control Panel applets in the menu, enabling you to access individual Control Panel applets through the Start menu without having to open the Control Panel folder. To display the Control Panel applets on the Start menu, right-click the taskbar and choose Properties. Click the Advanced tab, select Expand Control Panel in the Start Menu Settings group, and click OK.

Ease of Access applet

This applet enables you to configure interface and input/output functions designed to assist users with various physical challenges, such as limited vision. You can configure a variety of settings and features for the display, keyboard, mouse, and sound.

Add Hardware applet

The Add Hardware applet, when selected, runs the Add Hardware Wizard, which helps you add
new hardware, remove hardware, unplug a device, and troubleshoot problems with devices. The wizard scans the system for changes and helps automate the process of installing drivers to support new devices.

If you choose to add or troubleshoot a device, Windows Server 2008 automatically performs a
search for plug and play (PnP) hardware. If it finds and recognizes a new device, it takes you
step-by-step through the process of installing support for the device. If it finds but can't recognize the device, the wizard prompts you to select the device from a list and manually specify the device’s driver(s).

To troubleshoot a device, allow Windows Server 2008 to perform the hardware detection and then locate the device in the Choose a Hardware Device list and click Next. The wizard will help you perform steps to troubleshoot the device. To add a new device, choose Add a New Device from the list and then click Next. Follow the prompts to insert the Windows Server 2008 CD or provide a path to the appropriate driver files when prompted.

If you choose to uninstall a device, Windows Server 2008 presents a list of all devices. Select the device you want to remove, click Next, and follow the prompts to complete the process. If you're unplugging a device, Windows Server 2008 presents a list of devices that can be unplugged. Select the device, click Next, and follow the prompts (if any) to complete the process.

Default Programs applet

The Add or Remove Programs applet is no more. Much of the old functionality in the old applet
in Windows Server 2003 has been integrated into Server Manager (role and features). Instead
you now have the Default Programs applet. Windows Components are in Server Manager, split
between roles and features (and no longer known as Windows Components).

The Default Programs applet is essentially a custom or third-party software installation and management interface. As you can see in Figure 2-31, the only application that I have installed
on the example server is Skype. You do not have to do anything special when you install applications to ensure they end up being managed by the Default Programs applet.

Like the old application, the applet serves three main functions. It enables you to change the
installation of or remove existing programs, install new programs, and turn Windows features
on or off. The first two options are geared typically toward user-oriented applications. You use
the latter option to add or remove features such as Indexing Service, Certificate Services, IIS,
additional tools, and so on, to or from Windows Server 2008.

The big difference between Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 is that on the latter you actually removed the application from the server, whereas now you can turn off the application without actually having to remove its bits and pieces from the server. At any time you want to add the application back, simply toggle the option ‘"Turn Windows features on or off.’" However, you should know that only applications that support this API or that are Windows Server 2008 or Vista logo compliant support this feature.

TIP: The list of installed applications does not, by default, include updates and patches. To view these installed items, click the View Installed Updates option in the applet.

Administrative Tools applet

The Administrative Tools applet in the Control Panel serves as a container for various administrative tools, including the Computer Management MMC snap-in, the Services snap-in, Event Viewer, and others.

Windows Update

This applet enables you to specify how or if the server uses the Automatic Updates feature. In most situations, you will likely not use automatic updates for a server because of the need to test and validate updates prior to rollout. You can use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) in conjunction with Group Policy to carefully control how and when automatic updates are deployed to servers and client systems. See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2008/technologies /featured/wsus/default.mspx for details on WSUS.

Date and Time applet

This applet is the same one that appears if you double-click the clock on the system tray. The
resulting dialog box enables you to set the server’s date, time, and time zone, all of which are self-explanatory.

Having an accurate time on a server is extremely important for authentication purposes but is also important for error and event tracking, as well as security. For example, if you receive a denial-of-service attack from a particular dynamic IP address, knowing the time the attack occurred will enable you to track down the user of that IP at the specified time. Accurate timestamps are also important for reliable backup and restore operations.

Computers in a domain perform their own synchronization. Workstations and member servers automatically synchronize with the domain controller serving as the operations master in the domain. This DC should be checked and adjusted periodically for the accurate time, but a better option is to configure it to take its time from an Internet time source such as time.nist.gov. Domain members will then receive an accurate time when they synchronize with the DC.

You can configure time synchronization settings through Group Policy. You'll find the policies
in the \Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Windows Time Service Group Policy branch. Use the Global Configuration Settings policy to enable and configure a wide variety of properties that determine the way the server handles the time samples it receives from time providers.

The policies in the Time Providers sub-branch control time synchronization from both a client
and server standpoint:

  • Enable Windows NTP Client.
    Enabling this policy allows the server to synchronize its time with the server specified in the Configure Windows NTP Client policy. Disable this policy if you don't want the server to synchronize its time.
  • Configure Windows NTP Client. Enable this policy if you want the server to synchronize
    its time with a remote time server. When you enable the policy, you gain access to several properties that specify the time server, update frequency, server type, and other time synchronization aspects.
  • Enable Windows NTP Server. Enable this policy if you want the server to act as a time
    server, enabling it to service NTP requests from other computers on the network.

Display object . . . Personalization

The Display applet in no longer available on its own. It has been moved into the Personalization
applet. It still, however, enables you to configure desktop settings such as wallpaper, background, color scheme, color depth, and desktop size (resolution). You also can configure
a screen saver, enable and configure Web effects, and set general desktop effects and settings.
If the system contains multiple display adapters, you can configure settings for each as well as
configure how each adapter fits into the desktop.

Folder Options applet

The Folder Options applet in the Control Panel enables you to configure how Explorer folder windows appear and function. You can use it to enable/disable the active desktop, specify the type of window used for displaying folders (Web content or classic), and specify whether new folders open in the same window or in a new window, and so on. You also can configure other options such as file associations and offline files.

Internet Options applet

The Internet Options applet offers several property pages that enable you to configure settings
for Internet Explorer and related programs such as Outlook Express and NetMeeting:

  • General.
    Set the default home page, delete cached files, clear the URL history, and set general properties such as fonts, colors, languages, and accessibility features.
  • Security.
    Use the Security page to configure security level for various zones. A zone is a group of Web sites that share a common security level. Click one of the predefined zones and click Sites to add or remove Web sites from the zone. Then use the slider on the Security page to set the security level for the zone or click Custom Level to specify individual settings for the way Internet Explorer handles cookies, ActiveX controls and plug-ins, scripts, file downloads, and so on.
  • Privacy.
    Use the Privacy page to change the way Internet Explorer handles cookies, both globally and for individual Web sites.
  • Content.
    Use the Content page to enable and configure Content Advisor, which helps guard against access to restricted sites (such as sites with adult content). You also use the Content page to configure certificates for use on secure Web sites and for e-mail. Use the Personal Information group on the Content page to create a profile with your name, address, phone number, and other information. Bear in mind that this information is visible to Web sites you visit unless you configure the security zones to prevent it.
  • Connections.
    Use the Connections page to configure your Internet connection(s) and to specify how and when Internet Explorer uses auto-connect to connect to the Internet. Click Setup to run the Internet Connection Wizard to create a new Internet connection. Click LAN Settings to configure proxy server settings.
  • Programs.
    This page enables you to associate specific programs with tasks such as e-mail, newsgroups, and so on.
  • Advanced.
    This page contains several individual options that determine how Internet Explorer handles HTTP versions, multimedia, printing, security, and a variety of other properties.

Network and Sharing Center applet

The Network and Sharing Center applet in the Control Panel opens the Network and Sharing Center applet. This applet contains icons for each of your network connections, including LAN and dial-up connections. Click the ‘"Manage network connections’" link to configure the connection’s protocols, bindings, clients, services, sharing, and other properties.

Power Options applet

The Power Options applet in the Control Panel controls power-saving features on the computer,
such as turning off system peripherals after a specified idle time and setting up hibernation (suspend to disk). You can configure power settings and save the configuration as a power scheme, making it easy to switch between different groups of settings.

The UPS page of the Power Options property sheet controls the UPS service. If a UPS is connected to the computer via one of the computer's ports, the UPS page shows UPS status such as estimated runtime and battery condition. You can configure the UPS through the UPS page or select a different UPS.

Printers Control Panel applet

The Printers Control Panel applet opens the Printers folder, which contains an icon for each
installed printer, as well as a wizard for adding local or remote printers.

System applet

The System applet provides access to general system properties. You also can open the System applet by right-clicking Computer and choosing Properties. The first page of the System property applet provides basic information about your system, including OS version, installed memory, CPU type, and registration information.

Clicking Advanced Systems Settings loads the Systems Properties dialog box. The first tab is the
Computer Name page.

• Read more about the System Applet in Windows Server 2008





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