The .CPL file extension stands for Microsoft’s Windows control Panel applets. These are files that store the configuration and application data of Microsoft’s windows operating system and its control panel. The Control panel contains applets which are configuration setting files for windows.
The Control panel folder on the windows operating system allows the users a Graphical User interface to change the settings and configuration on their PC’s hardware and software. Each of the items in the control panel folder is an applet and is stored using the .CPL files. Third party software can also create their own windows applets using the .CPL file types.
| File type | Microsoft Windows Control Panel Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity | |
| Share |
While searching for an answer to the question - How to open the CPL file? - you probably found websites, which offer software that was able to open any file extension. Do not be fooled, there is no one program that will allow you to work with any file extension, including the CPL file. Each program contains a different type of data and you need specialized software to properly work with the CPL file. Here is a list of programs that are designed to work with the CPL file - remember, these applications are able to open at most a few file extensions, they are designed to work with a specific data type.
If after installing the program from a list, you still cannot open a file with the CPL extension, the reason may be that the file is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the CPL file you want to open
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the CPL file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your CPL file. Choose one of them, or select the location on a disk where you installed one of the applications from our list. Windows should then open the CPL file using the program installed earlier.
Entries containing links of the CPL file extensions with applications is located in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. If you do not know how to get to the Windows Registry, or how to make changes in it, ask a specialist for help. Lack of knowledge on the subject may cause irreversible changes on your computer.
There may be a situation when a computer virus passes itself off as the CPL file. In this case, such a file will definitely not be opened. Download a good antivirus program and scan the CPL file mentioned. If the antivirus application detects malicious data, it may signify that the CPL file is infected.
| CPI | AVCHD Clip Information Format |
| CP | Xcode C++ Source Code Format |
| CP9 | ChoicePoint Encrypted Format |
| CPTM | Adobe Captivate Theme |
| CPMZ | Miradi Project Format |
| CPCT | Compact Pro Archive |
| CP? | LoseThos C+ Source |
| CP2 | ChessBase Theme Classification |
| CPL | Microsoft Windows Control Panel Format |
| CPIO | Unix CPIO Archive Format |
