Understanding Windows 7's 'GodMode'

Windows 7's so-called GodMode is actually a shortcut to accessing the operating system's various control settings.

(Credit: CNET News)

Although its name suggests perhaps even grander capabilities, Windows enthusiasts are excited over the discovery of a hidden "GodMode" feature that lets users access all of the operating system's control panels from within a single folder.

By creating a new folder in Windows 7 and renaming it with a certain text string at the end, users are able to have a single place to do everything from changing the look of the mouse pointer to making a new hard-drive partition.

The trick is also said to work in Windows Vista, although some are warning that although it works fine in 32-bit versions of Vista, it can cause 64-bit versions of that operating system to crash.

To enter "GodMode," one need only create a new folder and then rename the folder to the following:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Once that is done, the folder's icon will change to resemble a control panel and will contain dozens of control options. I'm not sure it's my idea of playing God, but it is a handy way to get to all kinds of controls.

I've asked Microsoft for more details on the feature and how it came to be. But so far, Redmond is silent on the topic.

If you want to be the first to hear about the next Godmode or whatever the latest is in Windows news, follow Ina Fried on Twitter.

[The_happy_switcher]

..."it can cause 64-bit versions of that operating system to crash. " If nothing else Windows always provides a consistent user experience.

[xcal78]

If nothing else the CNET posters always provide a consistent response to Microsoft/Apple posts.

[YankeePoodle]

Great insight .. Apple is real proud of you.

[Maxwell Studly]

The_happy_switcher said, "If nothing else Windows always provides a consistent user experience."

You're right and it's always superior to the Mac experience. Sales numbers and market share don't lie. Don't cry.

[shycelticwitch]

If nothing else, at least MS fans can't accuse Mac fans of "worshipping" Steve Jobs anymore... looks like he lost his "God Spot" to Windows... And that should end the flame wars, yes?

[AppleJihadHunter]

happy_switcher

Like yankee said :"Apple is really proud of you". You should be proud of yourself

Just created new folder on 64bit! nice GodMode. Learning something everyday :P

[Thad Boyd]

@Maxwell Studly: "Sales numbers and market share don't lie."

Well, can't argue with THAT logic. Higher-selling products are ALWAYS better.

Now let me just go grab a bite at McDonald's and listen to some Lady Gaga, since they are obviously the best that the food and music worlds have to offer. Sales numbers and market share, after all, don't lie.

[thelemurking]

My girlfriend who works for an ad agency and solely uses a Mac for both home and work often talks about how her MacPro crashed while in the middle of a project or how Safari crashes when she's on Hulu or Pandora. Guess it's just her since no other Mac's have ever crashed in the history of Apple eh?

[sweaty_taco]

The_happy_switcher...dude. stf* already...damn. Enough with the MIS hate.
Dont you have anything better to do, than to post 1500+ comments on how much you hate MS? We get it. Move on.

[ckurowic]

@Maxwell Studly: What you mean to say was "Stock prices don't lie".......

[Vegaman_Dan]

@The_Happy_Switcher:

I'm ever so glad you didn't decide to do something rash or impractical like adoptiong 'common sense' or 'unbiased opinion' or 'avoid pointless trolling that serves to embarass yourself' as a resolution, this year.

Whew! I was worried you might turn over a new leaf or something, but your comment here has assured you're every bit as consistent as normal. Thanks, THS. Without you, my life may have lacked that little bit of amusement and ridicule you generate with every comment. :)

[bananaphonerules]

I don't understand the usefulness of this. Can't you just search the start menu?
ie. Windows key and start typing?

It doesn't seem to show anything that doesn't already come up. Sounds like a QA tool left in.

[kojacked]

That's pretty damn sweet! You can search it too. Pretty cool. Thanks Ina.

@bananaphone: While the start menu's search would provide a decent search interface for all of this it lacks limiting the scope to "configuration".

[Random_Walk]

I'm curious as to if this creature bypasses security controls or not for normal users.

(...and if malware could take advantage of it).

[danielkza]

@Random_Walk:

They're just different shortcuts for the same commands you can find elsewhere: the code that is, in fact, executed does not change a single bit, and therefore, neither do the privileges required.

[kojacked]

Nothing like Random spinning a little FUD into something useful... Thanks Random!

[postanote]

This is nothing new.

This has been around since Windows 95.

If you have an old copy still running live on in a VM just do a search for tips.txt.

Or just go to the support article here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/135893

[Special Folders]
You can put the contents of Control Panel or other special folders on your Start menu (or in any folder). Create a folder by clicking New on the File menu, and then clicking Folder. Then, paste in the appropriate name as shown below:

For Use This Name
----------------------------------------------
Control Panel Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Dial Up Network Dial Up Net.{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48}
Printers Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Random_Walk:

This 'god mode' has been known for years, and no, it doesn't gvie you any special access or control beyond what you already have. Now if you are a very very poor system admiinistrator, then yeah, you could configure your system so poorly as to cause problems, but I honestly think you're better than that.

[mattumanu]

Random_Walk, no it doesn't bypass security.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Sure, if you wanted to do 100 searches for the 100 items in the folder.

Personally I like having all my options on the screen for me to chose from and not have to remember what they are called, how they are spelled and then have to type it in.

Back in the 20th century they invented something called a mouse and a GUI so you wouldn't have to do all that typing.

Besides, why would you search for something you can have right in front of you to just click on?

[pentest]

Random,

It doesn't matter. It is easy to get into a windows box via user level apps and then just elevate privileges. All without the user knowing about it or doing anything to make it happen.

Windows is consistently insecure.

[Ted Miller]

Well amen to that little god send.

[Ted Miller]

By the way: Is there a hack to make it look and like XP? You know... XP Mode, and I don't meen virtual machine.

[TX-Sunset]

To this day, I fail to see why everyone is so attached to the XP interface. It was the same way when XP came out and everyone wanted the 95/98 interface. Get over it people. It is called adapting. Things change, humans adapt. It is a constant of life. I personally love the new Win7 Inteface and will never go back to XP. My only complaint is they removed the Always On Top check box for the start menu, so now it is always on top and you can not turn that "feature" off.

[Random_Walk]

"It was the same way when XP came out and everyone wanted the 95/98 interface."

XP actually had a "Classic Mode" interface that made it look and act almost exactly like 95/98/NT/2k.

(seriously? XP's 'Barbie's First UI' look was, and is, pure crap).

[Renegade Knight]

@ TX-Sunset

XP works. Vista didn't and still doesn't for quite a few. It's that simple.

What I remember when XP came out was the concencus "breaks some drives, and a lot of old programs won't run, but the improvments are well worth the upgrade".

XP itself wasn't broken. Vista on the other hand was. Thus breaking drivers, and not running a lot of old programs combined with an OS that didn't do the job was a deal breaker for the improvments it actually did provide.

[george_liquor]

XP was an insecure, bug-ridden, unstable train wreck until SP2 was released. I wish MS would have invested as much time and effort improving Vista, instead of releasing (and making people buy) a whole new Windows version.

[Maclover1]

"It was the same way when XP came out and everyone wanted the 95/98 interface."

The delta of interface change between Windows 98 and Windows XP is miniscule compared to the delta of Interface change between XP and Vista/7. A perfect example would be un-installing a program in Windows 98 vs XP and XP vs 7. Or lets say you want to set a static IP instead of DHCP, 98 vs XP...no real change. Trying to help a user on how to do this in Windows Vista or 7 take many extra steps in comparison.

XP still ownes the market share with Windows, drivers are still made for it and will be some time. Security patches are still going to be made for it until 2014.

[shinji257]

@Renegade Knight: Actually the Vista launch was hugely flopped by the fact that hardware manufacturer's didn't create device drivers for their hardware like they were asked of by Microsoft. It had the same hardware/software compatibility issues that XP did. Just like XP it didn't become completely stable until SP2. Then again Windows 7 didn't have none of these issues due to a mature device library and not changing the device model by any significant amount.

[zyxxy]

Ah! This same thread over and over and over again!

XP was not perfect. Still isn't. Okay? Get over it!

Vista, after SP2, was was really quite good. I used Vista 64 SP2 for a full year before moving to Windows 7.
I had much better stability running Home Premium 64 than I did on XP Home 32. XP still has that 'duh' mode that occurs on occasion where the 'hour glass' pops up and the machine just stares at you for 40 to 60 seconds. What is with that? I have that happen on two XP Pro machines as well. Bleah!

Also, to do anything really useful on XP, you need at least 1.5GB. Vista runs easily in 2GB. I have 4GB, and that is more than enough.

Yeesh....

[Renegade Knight]

@ shinji257

I understand your point. However In my experince it doesn't hold water. I was using Vista and having problems while also using the 7 Beta and having that work as it should. The Driver issues I did have with Vista I blamed on the OEM and not Vista. Vista was buggy in it's own right.

[thornr]

Try this again. If you just open Windows Explorer and type GodMode, you get the same result without having to create a special folder

[roryborealis]

Try it before creating the godmode console, or after deleting it... and it doesn't work.

[mjayhunt]

Yea, you can search for any folder that's on your computer in Windows Explorer. If you don't have the folder, you can't search for it!

[Galen20K]

I just tried it on 64-Bit version of Windows 7, works like a dream so far! Thanks this is VEry Handy Ina!

[eclein]

Thanks for the tip..a very convenient place to make changes easily. Keep em coming!!

[biffhenerson]

This tip has been around for a long time (2008). Since the article throws the term "god" around without reguard to offending any would be terrorist, it is important to note that the folder name can be any valid name and is provided by the end user, not not the operating system vendor. The ID after the period is what sets the behavior and contents of the folder.

[ColinABQ]

My experience so far - when the folder is created, "GodMode" can apparently be any valid file/folder name that you wish, just as biffhenderson sugests, and only that prefix (up to the dot) will appear in explorer. Thereafter, however, if it is renamed, then the long string of values appears. Or, so it was for me on Win 7 Ultimate. It can be deleted, like nearly any file or folder, and you can start over.

[gggg sssss]

would be terrorista can call it underwear mode

[BrandonLive]

Right, the name doesn't matter. The behavior is documented on MSDN. I addressed this here:

http://brandonlive.com/2010/01/04/the-so-called-god-mode/

[jeremywc]

As far as I know, the functionality has been around since the NT4 days. It was a way to recreate shortcuts to system folders like Control Panel.

[edgebert]

Try typing 'tasks' from the Start menu and you'll get all of the same 267 items, listed under approx. 45 categories...
(Win7, 64 bit)

[ralfthedog]

I need to dig out a Windows computer so I can try it out. I think I will use the name Dog Mode.

[jture]

Aaaarrrgghhh!! "Its name," not "it's name"!!!

[lycanr1]

Hahaha, are you a reader of Lynne Truss's Eats, Shoots & Leaves?

[Renegade Knight]

I thought the ' signified ownership. That would make it It's name and not Its name.

Of course this is Engish we are talking about.

[jhonkaman]

It pains me to see 7 people liking this. Its is the plural of it. It's is either a contraction, or in this case, possessive form.

[a3th3r]

Actually, unlike most other pronouns in the english language, the possessive form of it is actually its with no apostrophe.

[joshohfour]

@Renegade Knight: Its, like his. You wouldn't write hi's, don't write it's XD

[BrianDear]

It's hilarious, the ignorance among some people. @jture is correct -- "Its name" as in "What's its name?" It's is a contraction for "it is." It's no wonder that Windows still has high sales numbers. Perhaps instead of the Apple - Windows argument, we should all be having the "are you a high school graduate?" argument. Apparently, there's a paucity of basic grammar, spelling and punctuation proficiency. Cnet is supposed to attract a readership that would theoretically be somewhat more educated than the general public -- that being the case, I fear for the future.

[albertsoler]

I'll have to try this on a W7 PC. Having everything under one window is very useful for IT people like me. If it's a customer's PC, it might be best to create the folder in a different account. This kind of access could spell trouble for the uninitiated.

[sixit]

Better yet, just make the folder/directory on your USB thumb drive. ;c)

[banders1000000]

Totally trashed my computer.

[AppleJihadHunter]

buy an iMac or macBook. Then type that command "GodMode" and Steve Jobs will appear LOL

[eyepoker]

mine is trashed too...... i tried deleting it via the safemode command prompt to no effect... thanks ian

[eyepoker]

fixed it... if your system gets trashed after doing this here is the fix:... boot into safe mode, command prompt-only. Then navigate to your desktop and remove the folder via the rmdir command. I'm back up and running as a result. You'll need to know how to get around your cumputer via the command prompt, thats the only caveat.

[pentest]

Windows 7 trashes every computer it runs on.

Still 3 times the system resources for a fifth of the functionality of Linux.

[askj113]

@pentest: Nobody cares. Go away.

[TX-Sunset]

So, do you make this new folder in the root folder of c:\ or in the Windows folder?

[cristate67]

It doesn't matter where you make it. I put it right on the desktop and it worked like a charm.

[jfekendall]

I put it on a flash drive for use on many computers. Works like a charm so far.

[GetOverIt88]

huh, just did it on my w7 box and when I opened the new folder it turned into Snow Leopard. Whodathunkit.

[princew14]

Thank God for this article. It's easy for me to tune up my qosmio laptop with everything all in one...

[alinconstantin]

I'm not sure how "hidden" is this feature. There is no "God mode", it's simply a folder that lists "All Tasks", as per the CLSID description in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. You can rename the folder any way you like as long as you use the guid as extension (some smart ass chose "GodMode"), and you need to have extensions hidden, otherwise the whole folder name will still be visible)

It reminds me of Win95 times when I was creating Control Panel shortcuts on desktop using a similar way.

The way of creating these folders with extension being a CLSID is known and documented by Microsoft. See here an example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q134849
and there are more folders you can create (e.g. http://smallvoid.com/article/windows-special-folders.html)

Have fun rediscovering Win95 features!

[Dr_Zinj]

So true. Makes you wonder how knowledgeable of Windows most so-called superusers really are.

As for market share vs Mac and Linux; neither Mac nor Linux were ever designed for the masses.

[blindwanderer]

You don't even need a folder to access this. From a run box, explorer address bar or the search box in the start menu just type "shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}". And it's not just folders that can access with the "shell:" protocol, for example in Windows 7 you can access the Tablet PC settings (even if you don't have the Tablet PC) with "shell:::{80F3F1D5-FECA-45F3-BC32-752C152E456E}". Or Windows SideShow "shell:::{E95A4861-D57A-4BE1-AD0F-35267E261739}". If you have a laptop you can get to the Windows Mobility Center with "shell:::{5EA4F148-308C-46D7-98A9-49041B1DD468}". Recent Places: "shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}". My computer: "shell:::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"

Mind you, if you want to see one that is interesting try "shell:::{437ff9c0-a07f-4fa0-af80-84b6c6440a16}", another favorite is "shell:::{c57a6066-66a3-4d91-9eb9-41532179f0a5}"

[compbry15]

Does no one else find it odd that this article is titled "Understanding Windows 7's 'GodMode'" yet it real information or insight on actually understanding it? Maybe this should have been posted once Microsoft responds to CNet's queries.

[gggg sssss]

what part is hard to understand?

[Seaspray0]

@random walk. "What if you're Jewish?" Then you do start>run>MMC. In the microsoft management console, you add all the pluggins you desire. Extra pluggins for domain management can be made available by running adminpak.msi. Additionally, you can add other pluggins for exchange, wsus, etc. Make sure to run the console with an account that has permissions to do the tasks required. The "GodMode" sounds cute, but the MMC is my favorite.

[baconstang]

What if you're an atheist?

[Vegaman_Dan]

Then it loads a unix command shell.

[pdskep]

Then it's Darwin Mode.

[krypter]

Good one. I like having all these tools in one place instead of fifteen billion different submenus.

[Random_Walk]

Good point... but here's one better: What if you're Jewish?

A lot of observant Jews that I know of are adverse to typing or writing the word "God" out of religious duty*, often using "G-d" as a replacement.

* This is out of respect, and out of a desire to not take His name in vain.

[DemonDuck000]

I am an atheist. I got over it...

[sixit]

DogMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

[alinconstantin]

There are more of these folders that can be created. A couple more that work on my Win7 install:
Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
InstallNewPrograms.{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}
ManageWirelessNetworks.{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}
RecentPlacesFolder.{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}
WorkspacesCenter.{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}

I suspect the key to these is the SFGAO_FOLDER (0x20000000L) == Support BindToObject(IID_IShellFolder) flag specified for the attributes of the registered Class IDs.
(e.g. HKCR\CLSID\{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}\ShellFolder\Attributes = 0x20100004), and likely the lack of other attributes like SFGAO_HIDDEN.

[gggg sssss]

all program swoudl be nice to get around that crappy little menu.

[virgilp]

Interesting... has anybody noticed that this seems to be around since XP, at least?
I've just tried on my XP laptop, and while it doesn't open up any controls - it doesn't treat the folder as a folder, it treats it as a file (although it keeps the folder icon). Double-clicking on it makes windows open a dialog that "there is no program associated to this file, windows doesn't know how to open it".
I suspect that you simply need a different "code" in the extension for XP, but the functionality exists there, too.

[jfekendall]

It doesn't work in XP. Attaching a GUID string to the end of any file or folder name will do that if the correct icon exists in explorer.

[AJ Pants]

This 'functionality' was available to Mac users via the enable root user function what, 10 years ago almost?

lol @ the fact this is even considered newsworthy.

[tech_crazy]

And this functionality has been in Unix since when, 25 years ago?

[postanote]

And in Windows 95. So that is 15 years ago but whos counting.

Well, you are I guess.

yet, it is news to those who did not know; who may find it useful, or were way to prone to never look for stuff like this.

This is why the LifeHacker site is popular.

But a lot of things apppear in all sorts of news places that anyone can ask "Is this really news. Why is it here?" Since we don't work for these news portals. We can only wonder in our own little world of personal amazement.

Just because one does not feel it news worthy, does not mean the rest of the world does not or cares one way or the other.

[ckurowic]

Sounds like a potential security risk to me. How long until someone figures out how to "GodMode" their way into your personal files remotely?

[codynews]

It just makes a folder with shortcuts to apps already on the system. It doesn't allow anything more/less to run. Relax and get some sleep...

[postanote]

Well, 15 years since it has been around and nothing yet.

But let?s see t do this.
One would need to have credentials on the box, be able to create a new account on the box with elevated credentials to create the folder in a location where the user cannot see it or you messing with it.
But, wait, that would mean I am already Admin/Root on your box. So why waste time creating completely meaningless / useless thing like this thingy in that case.
Admin / Root == One can do anything to your box. One doe need to create some super-secret special folder. One can cause all sorts of mischief and Admin/Root. So what is the point?
This is an administrative function brought to a different visible location, nothing more. As it has been pointed out for far. You can search for these and more on the system without creating this thingy. Or you can just navigate to them in their locations using your mouse.

You can just search for the raw files as well. They are called .CPL files or .MSC files. Each of these is the UI for the management console they are for. It is how computer management is done. This is true of all OS?s. All OS?s have management features / tools that can be used for good or bad.
It?s the person and the system doing it. It takes both.

[Jonathan]

RTFA before you make such a retarded comment. Seriously. Is the Control Panel also known as god mode? Because that is what this is....God there are too many tools on the net.