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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) |
| System Preferences | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 System Preferences in Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard", with third party preference panes at the bottom |
|
| Developed by | Apple Inc. |
| Latest release | 5.0 (5.0) / October 26, 2007 |
| OS | Mac OS X |
| Type | Settings |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/systempreferences/ |
System Preferences is the application used by Mac OS X to modify user preferences. A variety of preference panes for controlling the current user session, networking, hardware and other settings are included with Mac OS X. Additionally, preference panes can be installed by third party installers for hardware devices or system-wide utilities.
System Preferences was introduced in Mac OS X v10.0 it replaces Control Panels found in pre-Mac OS X versions of Mac OS. While system software versions from seven to nine featured Control Panel interfaces as separate application-like processes, OS X's unified system preferences application can be seen as a throwback to the classical scrolling control panel last seen in System 6.
In Mac OS X v10.0 through Mac OS X v10.3, a user could drag their favorite preference panes to a toolbar at the top of the System Preferences window. In Mac OS X v10.4, this was replaced with a Spotlight-style search. Results are indicated by dimming the window as a whole and brightening the preference panes that contain settings that match the user's search, achieving an effect similar to physical spotlights shining on to key items on a dimmed stage.
Included preference panes
Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard" includes the following preference panes:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| .Mac | used to set preferences for the user's .Mac account and iDisk. |
| Accounts | control user creation/deletion, administrator privileges and user limitations. |
| Appearance | changes the general color scheme of the OS (Aqua or Graphite), as well as placement of scroll arrows and font smoothing. |
| Bluetooth | pair Bluetooth devices and edit Bluetooth settings. |
| CDs & DVDs | used to set default settings upon inserting blank CD/DVDs, as well as music CDs, picture CDs and video DVDs. |
| Date & Time | used to set the date and time of the computer, as well as how the clock appears on the menu bar. |
| Desktop & Screensaver | used to set the desktop picture as well as the screensaver, and their settings. |
| Displays | used to set screen resolution and color settings. |
| Dock | adjust the dock size as well as magnification and position on screen. |
| Energy Saver | optimize energy settings as well as set sleep times and processor usage. |
| Exposé and Spaces | set Active Screen Corners and keyboard and mouse settings to activate Exposé, and set application settings for Spaces. |
| Ink | set handwriting recognition settings (only appears when a graphics tablet is connected). |
| International | set the default OS language as well as numerical formats. |
| Keyboard & Mouse | set keyboard settings, as well as change keyboard shortcuts, and mouse settings. |
| Network | set Ethernet, AirPort, Modem and VPN Settings. |
| Parental Controls | manage parental controls for accounts, and view account usage data. |
| Print & Fax | set the default printer as well as fax settings. |
| QuickTime | set network speeds, plug-in settings, update plug-ins, and register Quicktime Pro. |
| Security | set "FileVault" and account security settings, and setup the firewall. |
| Sharing | set the computer name, and sharing and remote management services. |
| Software Update | set default times to check for updates, and view updates already installed. |
| Sound | set alert sound, volume and input/output options. |
| Speech | set the computer's default voice, set up speech recognition, and other speech settings. |
| Startup Disk | set the default disk, for the computer to boot into. |
| Time Machine | set the Time Machine drive and backup options. |
| Universal Access | make the system more accessible for those with sight, hearing and other impairments. |
