One of the defining characteristics of Windows , in general, is that it has always offered a large number of customization options , allowing us to adjust virtually every detail, primarily visual and, in many cases, functional. However, delving into Windows' configuration options will most likely leave us feeling overwhelmed.
We're overwhelmed by the sheer number of options in each new section, so at first glance, it takes us several hours to figure out what we can and can't do with Windows. If you want to access a list of all the options Windows offers, you can use God Mode. But what is God Mode? What is it used for?
What is God Mode in Windows 10
Windows God Mode is like a list of all the settings you can adjust on your computer. Available since Windows XP , this mode allows you to access all the configuration options Windows offers in a structured and organized way, but through the Control Panel.
With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a new method for accessing Windows settings , abandoning the Control Panel (although it is still present in the system and we can still access it to configure our computer).
What is the difference between Windows Settings and the Control Panel? The Control Panel is designed for people with computer skills, while Windows Settings is for users who are familiar with Windows.
Although it has this curious name, that doesn't mean it's a special mode for experts , not at all; it's a special mode that allows us to learn about all the settings we can set on the device so that it works based on our needs.
This mode includes a search engine , allowing us to search by terms, a much simpler option for users who are not sure what they are looking for.
What is God Mode for
Windows 10's God Mode (in earlier versions the number may vary) allows us to quickly access 32 Windows settings categories, each of which offers a different number of features.
- Color manager
- Credential manager
- taskbar and navigation
- Work folders
- Accessibility center
- Center network and sharing
- Sync center
- RemoteApp and Desktop connection
- Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
- User account
- Devices and printers
- Storage spaces
- Date and Time
- Windows Defender Firewall
- Fonts
- Management tools
- File History
- Mouse
- Energy options
- Indexing options
- Internet Options
- File Explorer Options
- Programs and Features
- Speech recognition
- Region
- Automatic playback
- Safety and maintenance
- System
- Troubleshooting
- Sound
- Keyboard
- Phone and modem
All this is very well and good, but what does it actually offer us? God Mode is simply an index where all the Windows configuration options are located, options that we can access without having to navigate through menus or perform searches using Cortana's search box…
For example, if we want to delete a user account, we go to the User Accounts section and click on Remove user accounts.
If we want to perform this same process through the Windows settings options, we must access the Windows settings options (Windows key + i), click on Accounts , and within account click on Sign-in options.
As we can see, through God Mode we can get to this option much faster than browsing through the Windows configuration options. While it is true that in both cases we should access the same configuration page, this is not the case.
Since the classic Control Panel is in operation in Windows 10, we will access the available functions through it, not through the Windows settings options.
The Control Panel's days are numbered , as it is a configuration element of the past that has been replaced by Windows settings options; however, Microsoft is resisting eliminating it completely.
How to activate God Mode
As mentioned above, this mode allows us to access all the system settings offered by our copy of Windows, so we can only access them if we have an administrator account on the computer. If we are the only person using the computer, our account is an administrator account.
If, on the other hand, we share our computer with other family members or coworkers, we must first check whether our account is an Administrator account or a Restricted User account. To check if our Windows account is an Administrator account or a user account with or without privileges, we must perform the following steps:
- We access the Windows configuration options through the keyboard shortcut Windows key + i.
- Next, click on Accounts.
- Then the image of our account, our name and the type of user will be displayed.
If we have an Administrator account, we will be able to access God Mode, which Windows provides. To access God Mode, we must follow these steps:
- From the Windows desktop, click on the right mouse button, select New - Folder.
- Then we copy the following text without the quotes "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}”And we introduce it in the name of the folder that we have created and press Enter.
- Finally we will see the folder icon shows us several switches, a scroll bar, and a circle with a highlighted portion.
How to disable God Mode
To disable God Mode in Windows, simply delete the corresponding icon ; that's all. This mode is ideal for accessing Windows settings that aren't readily available and that would otherwise require endless navigation through menus.
It is important to note that any changes made through this method, in the System and Security, Network and Internet, and Hardware and Sound sections, may affect the operation of your computer . Therefore, if you are unsure, you should look for the solution through the Windows settings options, which you can access using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + i.