Windows Master Control Panel Shortcut aka ‘GOD MODE’

This is a lesser-known flaw in Windows 7 which has been touted as God Mode in the internet circles.

This is a short-cut to access various control settings in Windows Vista and later OS. By creation of a folder with a certain extension, users can access all of the OS’s control panels from within a single shortcut. The hack was published by 3rd parties outside of Microsoft documentation in 2007 and made popular by people claiming to have developed/discovered a ‘GOD MODE’ in windows.  Microsoft claims to have built it for developers only and advises against its use.

Process

Create  a new folder and rename it as: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Variations

The text ”GodMode” has nothing to do with making the trick work.  You can rename the folder “NickyGoesNutsAndBolts.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}” and now you’ve discovered the magical “NickyGoesNutsAndBolts” feature hidden in Windows.

Why a Flaw?

GUID-based folder names can be exploited by computer worms—malicious software that can “reproduce”—hidden in a folder posing as a system folder such as the Recycle Bin, by employing its system application GUID shortcut. For example, a malicious file located at E:\Recycler\bin.{645ff040-5081-101b-9f08-00aa002f954e}\VIRUS.exe cannot be viewed in Explorer (opening the folder in order to view/delete would redirect to the Recycle Bin) and the folder cannot be deleted while the worm is running. Such a shortcut can be bypassed with the use of an active antivirus, or by booting from another operating system.

Validity and Future

This feature works on Windows Vista(x86/x64), Windows 7(x86/x64), Windows 8(x86/x64). Use of this shortcut in development of applications has been negatively advised by Microsoft as it is to be revoked in future editions of the OS.

Source: Wikipedia, MSDN