The Windows Operating System hasn’t yet moved completely from Control Panel to the modern ‘Settings’ app. However, the transition is already underway. Microsoft has steadily made the Settings app more powerful with additional functionalities which were once available only in the Control Panel. Microsoft has clearly indicated it will eventually degrade the Control Panel and ask users to use the new Settings App. However, the Control Panel appears to have survived yet another major upcoming feature update.
Microsoft Continues To Modernize And Equip Settings App With Additional Functionalities:
After Microsoft launched Windows 8, there were two platforms to manage multiple important and critical settings; the traditional Control Panel and the modern Settings App. Both interfaces were used for configuring various settings in the operating system. It is certainly peculiar to see that currently, some settings are available in Settings, while some options are only available in Control Panel. In fact, there are several occasions where users need to open a standard Control Panel dialog box when working in the new Settings interface. Microsoft has been steadily addressing this and moving more and more settings from the Control Panel into the Settings app. The latest inclusion to the Settings App is the advanced network settings. In the upcoming feature update, the Settings app will allow users to configure DNS servers. Previously, configuring a custom DNS server required visiting the ‘Network’ tab in the Control Panel. Apart from the DNS settings, Microsoft is also adding traditional Control Panel features of the Sound Panel in the Settings application. There’s a link in the volume mixer that opens the modern Settings app. Users can also change the default sound device from the Settings. Starting with Windows 10 version 20H2, Microsoft is retiring the System applet of the Control Panel and users will be redirected to the ‘About System’ applet in the modern Settings. The information is currently found in Control Panel > System, and is also available in the Settings > System > About page. Apart from the aforementioned changes, Microsoft is also planning to move Storages Spaces, a technology in Windows that can help protect user data from drive failures, to the Settings app from the Control Panel. The company has also included a ‘Copy’ button to copy all the system configuration to the clipboard for easily remembering or backing up the same.
When Will Microsoft Retire Control Panel And Ask Users To Completely Rely On Settings App?
Microsoft has promised that more Control Panel options will be added to the Settings. In other words, it is quite possible that one day Windows 10 OS will have a single application or platform that can be used for major and minor settings or configurations. However, that day is still far into the future. Still, Microsoft is steadily including more options and moving more settings into the new Settings App. In other words, the company will eventually transition the Control Panel completely to the Settings App. However, it could take a few major feature updates to accomplish the goal.
