Are you looking for a Switch to Classic View button in Control Panel like in Windows XP or Windows Vista? While I generally agree with categorizing, I think that seeing all the items when opening the Control Panel is the right way for me. Here are some ways to see all of the icons:
Method #1 Directly from the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel by clicking on its icon from the Start menu. This is the default view.
- On the right of View by click on Category and select Large icons or Small icons according to your liking. After choosing, the next time you open the Control Panel you will notice that your choice will become the default view.
This is how Control Panel looks with large icons.
This is how it looks with small icons. 
Method #2 Using gpedit.msc (Local Group Policy Editor)
- Type gpedit.msc in the Run box located in the Start menu (click here if it is not there) and click OK. The Group policy editor appears.
- On the left side of the window click on Administrative Templates under User Configuration and then on Control Panel.
- On the right side double-click on Always open All Control Panel Items when opening Control Panel.
- Check Enabled and hit OK.
That’s all you had to do. I hope it helped.
Tags: control panel, gpedit.msc, Windows 7
