Author: Martin Zugec (31 Articles)

Tip no. 2 from Win7 Inside Out can be categories as myth busting. “GodMode” in Windows 7 is currently very popular myth and I don’t like myths at all

Trick is very simple – just create folder called GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} anywhere on your system and you will get access to secret folder with many different options.

In reality, you DON’T get access to any new options or features.

In Windows 7 (and also previous version), you could create easily links to shell folders. Idea is very simple – you see folder XXX in explorer and using that folder, you can access features. Probably most known folder of this type in Windows 7 is folder called Libraries – that’s true, it is just folder and libraries themselves are just XML files (more details later on).

These folders are identified using GUID and can be found in registry key HKLM\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID. As a rule of thumb (doesn’t always apply), you can say that if key contains ShellFolder subkey AND property LocalizedString, you can use it.

To access such folders from your computer, simply create folder in format FolderName.GUID. For example try to create following folder on your desktop:

SecretLogon.{0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}

As you can see, as soon as you hit enter it turned out automatically to folder with name SecretLogon and icon changed also:

When you try to click on it, secret backdoor that allows Microsoft employees to logon to your computer will appear (just kidding – it’s simply link to Biometric from Control panel):

Well, so called “GodMode” is nothing else than accessing already existing entries from control panel. Not sure how about you, but I prefer instant search to searching through tons of configuration options.

Just for reference, below are some GUIDs that you can also use.

Fingerprint – {0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}

Power options – {025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}

Libraries – {031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}

Wifi – {1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}

Computer – {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

There is however something I learned today myself SkyDrive Explorer that was mentioned by Dennis recently is also implemented through shell folders. So if you don’t want to access it through Computer, but want to help link somewhere else, simply create folder SkyDrive.{0016CE0E-728C-4FC9-98E5-D0B35B384597}

UPDATE: Complete list of control panel items that are accessible can be found here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee330741(VS.85).aspx

Martin Zugec