Learn how to remove specific items like “Display” or “Programs and Features” from the Control Panel and Start menu in Windows 7.
- Type gpedit.msc in the Start menu’s search box and then press Enter.
Note: This guide shows you how to make changes to Windows 7 using Group Policy. Group Policy is not available in Home versions of Windows 7.
- Navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and then select Control Panel in the left column of the Group Policy editor.
- Double-click Hide specified Control Panel items in the Settings section of the Group Policy editor.
- Select Enable and then click the Show button in the Options section.
- In this guide I’m going to hide the mouse Control Panel item. Type the Control Panel’s Mouse canonical name (Microsoft.Mouse) and then click OK to save the changes.
Note: A full list of the Control Panel items canonical names is provided below.
See… no Mouse Control Panel item.
Control Panel Item Canonical Names
- Microsoft.AddHardware
- Microsoft.AdministrativeTools
- Microsoft.AudioDevicesAndSoundThemes
- Microsoft.AutoPlay
- Microsoft.BackupAndRestoreCenter
- Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption
- Microsoft.Bluetooth
- Microsoft.CardSpace
- Microsoft.ColorManagement
- Microsoft.DateAndTime
- Microsoft.DefaultPrograms
- Microsoft.DeviceManager
- Microsoft.EaseOfAccessCenter
- Microsoft.FolderOptions
- Microsoft.Fonts
- Microsoft.GameControllers
- Microsoft.GetPrograms
- Microsoft.GetProgramsOnline
- Microsoft.IndexingOptions
- Microsoft.Infrared
- Microsoft.InternetOptions
- Microsoft.iSCSIInitiator
- Microsoft.Keyboard
- Microsoft.MobilityCenter
- Microsoft.Mouse
- Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter
- Microsoft.OfflineFiles
- Microsoft.ParentalControls
- Microsoft.PenAndInputDevices
- Microsoft.PeopleNearMe
- Microsoft.PerformaceInformationAndTools
- Microsoft.Personalization
- Microsoft.PhoneAndModemOptions
- Microsoft.PowerOptions
- Microsoft.Printers
- Microsoft.ProblemReportsAndSolutions
- Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures
- Microsoft.RegionalAndLanguageOptions
- Microsoft.ScannersAndCameras
- Microsoft.SecurityCenter
- Microsoft.SpeechRecognitionOptions
- Microsoft.SyncCenter
- Microsoft.System
- Microsoft.TabletPCSettings
- Microsoft.TaskbarAndStartMenu
- Microsoft.TextToSpeech
- Microsoft.UserAccounts
- Microsoft.WelcomeCenter
- Microsoft.WindowsAnytimeUpgrade
- Microsoft.WindowsDefender
- Microsoft.WindowsFirewall
- Microsoft.WindowsSideShow
- Microsoft.WindowsSidebarProperties
- Microsoft.WindowsUpdate
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