If you have Windows 7 or Vista, there are a few ways to restore lost or forgotten items in the Control Panel. The first is to use the “Windows Update” tool. This will check for updates and install them if necessary. The second is to use the " recovery console" tool. This will help you restore your computer if it has been damaged or lost.
Look ma, no display settings!
To resolve this deliberate oversight, open up regedit.exe using the start menu search box, and then browse down to the following registry key:
Once you are there, you will see a number of items in the right-hand pane. Make a backup of that key with the export function, and then delete away.
desk.cpl is the Display Settings wizard, and ncpa.cpl is the network connections folder. I’m going to delete those two, and now if you hit refresh on your control panel (or re-open it) you’ll see the items restored in your Control Panel:
You can even now find them when you search using the start menu search box, which really makes me happy.
Note that you can also hide control panel items using the same key if you choose.
