God Mode on Windows 11: Master All Tasks in One Hidden Folder

Windows 11 hides a surprisingly powerful shortcut: create a single specially named folder and you unlock a master list of system controls, administrative tools, and rarely-used settings that normally live buried across Settings, the legacy Control Panel, and assorted management consoles — a trick commonly called God Mode that gives power users one searchable surface for hundreds of Windows tasks.

Background / Overview​

For years Windows has maintained a hidden namespace — the All Tasks or Windows Master Control Panel — that aggregates dozens of Control Panel applets, administrative utilities, and system tasks. By naming a folder with a specific Class ID (CLSID) you instruct File Explorer to treat that folder not as a normal directory, but as a special shell view of this aggregated list. The result is a single, scrollable, searchable interface of Windows settings and tools — everything from Device Manager and Power Options to advanced troubleshooting utilities.
The implementation is simple, the payoff immediate: instead of navigating nested Settings pages or hunting Control Panel applets, you can open one folder and launch the precise tool you need. It’s a practical productivity hack for administrators, power users, and anyone who prefers direct access to Windows internals.

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What “God Mode” actually is​

The mechanics under the hood​

• The feature is not magic — it’s a Shell Folder registered under a GUID that maps to the All Tasks view.
• When Explorer sees a folder name that ends with that GUID, it replaces the normal folder view with the All Tasks namespace, rendering dozens or hundreds of system commands and control-panel-style applets as clickable items.
• The label “God Mode” is a community nickname. The system only cares about the CLSID; the text preceding the dot can be any name you choose (or omitted in some variants).

What you see inside​

• A long, alphabetized list of tools grouped into categories such as System, Security, Network, Power Options, and Administrative Tools.
• Items can be opened directly, or you can create shortcuts to individual entries and pin or place them wherever you want.
• The exact list and count vary by Windows edition, installed features, and drivers — expect around 200+ entries on most modern installations, with counts fluctuating based on what components are present.

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How to enable God Mode in Windows 11 (step-by-step)​

• Right‑click an empty area of the desktop and choose New > Folder.
• Rename the folder to the following name exactly (you can paste it):
  GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
• Press Enter. The folder’s name will disappear and the icon will change to a Control Panel–style icon.
• Double‑click the new icon to open the master list of settings. You can now click any entry to open that settings page or utility.

Notes:

• You can replace the word GodMode with any name you prefer (for example, AdminCenter.{ED7BA4...}). The GUID portion is what triggers the special behavior.
• If you prefer a shortcut instead of a folder, create a new shortcut and use C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} as the target — that will open the same All Tasks view.

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Practical uses and workflow improvements​

Rapid access to buried settings​

• Find rarely visible Control Panel applets without memorizing exact names or navigating nested menus.
• Examples: create a desktop shortcut to the power plan controls, Device Manager, or credential manager and place them where you need them.

Faster troubleshooting and system administration​

• System administrators can collect frequently used tools into one place for quick deployment or demonstrations.
• Copy single items from the All Tasks view to the desktop (right‑click an entry → Create shortcut) and then use those shortcuts in scripts, documentation, or as pinned items.

Productivity tips​

• Use File Explorer’s Group By → Name to produce a strict alphabetical list if categories are too noisy.
• Switch to Medium or Large icons view if you prefer clicking icons rather than names.
• Pin the folder to Quick Access or create a taskbar shortcut using explorer.exe shell:::{GUID} to get an instant gateway to administrative functions.

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Advanced variations and customization​

Custom names and anonymous folders​

• The text before the dot is arbitrary. You can create JediMode.{ED7BA4...} or leave it as .{ED7BA4...} if you prefer no visible label.
• Some users create multiple named folders for different workflows (for example, AdminTools.{GUID} alongside BackupCenter.{GUID}) — the GUID must stay exact but the labels can vary.

Shortcuts that call the same namespace​

• Create a shortcut with the target C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} to open All Tasks from the Start Menu, the taskbar, or scheduled tasks.
• You can also call shell:::{GUID} directly from the Run dialog (Win+R) to open the view without creating any desktop object.

Extracting individual items​

• Right‑click an item and choose Create shortcut — Windows will prompt to place the shortcut on the desktop because the All Tasks namespace doesn’t accept user-created files. These shortcuts are normal and can be moved or pinned.

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Limitations, compatibility, and caveats​

It does not grant superuser rights​

• Creating or opening the All Tasks folder does not elevate privileges. The folder itself is a shell view that lists controls; when you invoke items that require administrative rights, Windows will still show UAC prompts or require credentials.
• Any claims that God Mode bypasses User Account Control or provides hidden full‑admin powers are incorrect and risky to believe.

The list varies by system​

• The number of entries depends on Windows edition, version, installed roles and features, and third‑party drivers or control panel extensions.
• As Microsoft migrates features from legacy Control Panel to the Settings app, some items may be duplicates, redirecting users to Settings, or may simply open legacy applets.

Historical instability and where to be cautious​

• Early reports (notably from the Windows Vista era) documented cases where creating the All Tasks folder on certain 64‑bit setups caused Explorer instability or crash loops. Those incidents were tied to older builds and unusual shell-extension interactions.
• Modern Windows 10/11 builds handle the namespace reliably on typical systems, but you should avoid creating the special folder inside directories that already contain important personal files. Doing so replaces the normal folder view and could temporarily hide your files until the folder is deleted or renamed.
• If Explorer behaves oddly after creating the folder, restart Explorer from Task Manager, or delete/rename the folder from a command prompt.

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Troubleshooting and recovery steps​

If Explorer crashes or the special folder causes problems:

• Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → File → Run new task → type explorer.exe to restart the shell.
• If Explorer refuses to behave, open Command Prompt (run as Administrator if possible) and remove the folder using a safe command:
  rd /s /q "C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Desktop\GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}"
• If you can’t see your desktop entries because the shell view replaced the folder contents, delete or rename the God Mode folder from an elevated command prompt using rd/ren, or boot into Safe Mode to remove it.

Always replace <YourUserName> with your actual username and use quotes around paths that contain spaces.

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Security considerations​

Is God Mode a security risk?​

• On its own, the folder is a convenience; it simply exposes links to system tools you already have access to.
• Tools that require admin rights still trigger UAC. God Mode does not remove that protection.

But researchers have warned about abuse​

• Security researchers have documented scenarios where adversaries used the namespace trick as a persistence or obfuscation technique. For example, cleverly crafted shortcut folders or registry manipulations can hide malicious payloads in places where casual users won’t notice them.
• Because the All Tasks view is part of the shell namespace, attackers with write access to user profiles or startup folders could leverage similarly named entries to hide content or create deceptive shortcuts. Treat unexpected or unfamiliar entries with suspicion.

Best practices:

• Only create the folder on machines you control.
• Do not open unknown folders or execute unknown utilities presented by someone else’s system.
• Keep UAC enabled and current antivirus/endpoint protection active — legitimate administrative tools will still require elevation when needed, and good security software can spot tampered shortcuts and suspicious persistence mechanisms.

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Where God Mode fits in today’s Windows administration toolbox​

Complement, don’t replace​

• For routine needs and most users, the Start Menu search and the modern Settings app offer efficient access to commonly used pages with better discoverability and more consistent UI.
• God Mode is most useful when you need to access obscure legacy applets, compare old Control Panel entries against their new Settings equivalents, or rapidly launch administrative utilities during troubleshooting.

Good for learning and documentation​

• For technicians documenting how to reproduce issues or for training purposes, God Mode lays bare the official names of many Windows applets and controls — a quick way to discover canonical names for scripting or support articles.
• It’s also a handy way to gather a set of shortcuts for a fresh machine image or a live rescue USB.

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Practical examples: quick shortcuts and recipes​

• Pin the All Tasks view to the taskbar:
• Create a shortcut with target: C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
• Right‑click the shortcut → Pin to taskbar (or drag to taskbar).
• Create a desktop shortcut to Device Manager from God Mode:
• Open the All Tasks folder, right‑click Device Manager → Create shortcut → accept the prompt to place the shortcut on the desktop.
• Use Run to open All Tasks without creating files:
• Press Win+R and paste shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} and press Enter.
• Scripted deletion if something goes wrong:
• From an elevated PowerShell or CMD: Remove-Item -LiteralPath "C:\Users\Public\GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}" -Force -Recurse (PowerShell)
• Or: rd /s /q "C:\Users\Public\GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}" (cmd)

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Why the trick still matters in 2025​

Microsoft’s UI has shifted dramatically over the past decade, moving large swaths of configuration into the modern Settings app and introducing ms-settings: URIs for direct access. Yet the operating system still hosts legacy applets, vendor-specific control panels, and administrative utilities that remain useful — and often easier to find with a single aggregated view.
For power users, helpdesk technicians, and IT pros who value speed and precision, the All Tasks view is a practical time-saver. It’s also an elegant demonstration of Windows’ extensible shell: a tiny filename change produces a completely different interface because the OS exposes programmable namespaces for its UI.

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Final verdict: use it but be prudent​

Strengths

• Speed: Immediate access to a very large number of settings from one searchable view.
• Discoverability: Reveals legacy tools and the canonical names of system applets that are otherwise hard to find.
• Customization: Easy to create, to export single shortcuts, and to pin for fast access.

Risks and constraints

• Not a security bypass: It does not defeat UAC or grant hidden system privileges.
• Historical quirks: Rare edge cases and very old builds had instability, so exercise caution on legacy systems.
• Potential for misuse: The same namespace trick can be abused by attackers, so only use the folder on systems you control and maintain standard endpoint protections.

A single, small filename change yields disproportionate utility: for power users who spend time in the Control Panel, Device Manager, or Administrative Tools, creating a God Mode folder is a low‑effort tweak that pays dividends every time you need to jump straight to the control you want. Use it as part of a measured workflow — create shortcuts out of the All Tasks view, pin the ones you use regularly, and keep your security posture intact — and the result is a cleaner, faster, and more efficient path through Windows’ deep settings.

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Source: PCWorld I'm obsessed with Windows 11's secret God mode