General tab

 Provides your system information.

Computer Name tab

Displays your computer description, full computer name, and workgroup. Additional buttons are Network ID and Change. Network ID runs the Network Identification Wizard to guide you through joining a network or domain with additional options, while the Change button allows you to change your computer name and workgroup/domain.

Hardware Tab

Displays three sections for device management: Device Manager, Drivers, and Hardware Profiles.

The Device Manager button launches the Device Manager window. Device Manager provides you with a hierarchical list of the hardware devices installed in your computer and the properties of each. It also displays how hardware is installed, configured, and how it interacts with your computer.

The Drivers section displays two buttons: Driver Signing and Windows Update. Driver Signing allows you to set options for driver signing warnings. The available options are Ignore, Warn, and Block. Driver signing is when a device driver has been digitally signed by Microsoft to ensure the quality of the file. This file would have to endure a certain level of testing to meet Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) requirements. This makes the drivers more robust and reliable for the end user. It also has a Windows Update section to manage how your computer interacts with the update Web site when looking for drivers.

The last section in this window is Hardware Profiles. A hardware profile can be used when a computer is moved between two locations, each location having different hardware set ups. Through the Hardware Profiles window you can copy, rename, or modify your hardware profiles. You also are able to adjust the hardware profile selection screen, which you will see when the computer starts. The Hardware Profile feature is mainly used with laptops.

Advanced tab

Provides options for Performance, User Profiles, Startup and Recovery, Environment Variables, and Error Reporting.

System Restore tab

 This tab allows you to customize the settings for system restore. This includes enabling or disabling system restore or customizing drive settings. The System Restore program is located under Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools.

Automatic Updates tab

 Allows you to customize your Automatic Update settings. Radio buttons are available with the following options: Automatic, Download updates for me (but let me choose when to install them), Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them, and Turn off Automatic updates.

Remote tab

This tab allows you to configure your settings for remote connections with other computers. The sections listed are: Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop.

Remote Assistance is the feature that lets someone remotely control your computer, or you control theirs. With Remote Assistance you can have someone take control of your computer, and are also able to view the remotely connected session. An available checkbox option is available to enable or disable Remote Assistance. An Advanced button is also available with some extra options.

Remote Desktop is the feature that lets someone remotely control your computer or you control theirs. With Remote Desktop the currently logged on user is logged off when you connect to their computer to take control. An option is available to enable or disable Remote Desktop and with the Select Remote Users box you are able to add and remote users who have access to this feature.