Where's My Control Panel?

Your Windows XP control panel should appear on the Start menu as in the following example, either as a link (as shown here) or as a menu like three of the items above it here:

If you do not see the Control Panel, right-click on the blue area at the top or bottom of the Start menu and select "Properties":

In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window, click the "Customize" button:

In the Customize Start Menu window, click the "Advanced" tab and then under "Start menu items" select either "Display as a link" or "Display as a menu":

Now click "OK" all the way back to the Desktop. You're done!