Microsoft Bids Farewell to Windows Control Panel, Moving to Modern Settings App

Microsoft has officially confirmed that the classic Windows Control Panel is being phased out, making way for the newer and more streamlined Settings app. This change signals the end of an era for a tool that has been a staple of the Windows operating system for decades.

The confirmation was revealed in a support document addressing System Configuration tools within Windows. This document outlines the various ways users can tailor their experience through the graphical user interface and notes with finality: “The Control Panel is now being deprecated.”

The replacement, the Settings app, was first introduced in Windows 8 but initially lacked many of the Control Panel’s features. However, with Windows 10 and further with Windows 11, Microsoft has progressively enhanced the functionality of the Settings app, making it a more comprehensive tool.

Microsoft elaborated: “While the Control Panel still exists for compatibility reasons and to provide access to certain settings that have not yet migrated, we encourage you to use the Settings app whenever possible.”

Transition from Control Panel to Settings App

It’s important to note that not all settings have been fully migrated to the Settings app yet, though the shift is well underway. Additionally, several third-party configuration tools are still accessed through the old interface, but these too are gradually being phased out.

The Control Panel has been a cornerstone of Windows since version 1.0, offering users a user-friendly way to adjust system settings and configure third-party applications. Although it’s a more accessible option than delving into the registry or editing configuration files, it has become less appealing compared to the modernized Settings app.

This update applies to both Windows 10 and Windows 11, though it’s clear that Microsoft is planning for the eventual removal of the Control Panel across all current versions of Windows. We’ve reached out to Microsoft for further details on the timeline and will provide updates as they become available.

The Control Panel has had a long and successful run, but in the context of Windows 11, it feels increasingly outdated. With every new setting added to the Settings app, the inevitable fate of the old interface becomes more apparent.

The confirmation that the Control Panel is set to be retired is long overdue. For IT administrators who still rely on it for specific settings adjustments, now is the time to prepare for the transition.