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WinXPTutor's XP Resources

Windows XP Tips, Illustrations and registry edits

"Switch to Classic View" option is missing in the Control Panel Common Tasks

When you open Control Panel, the option Switch to Classic View option and the section box may not be present. This happens if the ForceClassicControlPanel policy is enabled in the registry or via Group Policy.

If ForceClassicControlPanel is set to 0, Switch to Classic View is unavailable

If ForceClassicControlPanel is set to 1, Switch to Category View is unavailable

To get back the option, follow these steps:

  • Click Start/Run and type REGEDIT
  • Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \Windows
CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

  • Backup the registry key to a REG file. See here for more information.
  • In the right-pane, delete ForceClassicControlPanel (if exists)
  • Repeat the same in the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \  Microsoft \   Windows \  CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

  • Close Registry Editor and restart Windows