One of Microsoft’s long-term plans for the modern version of Windows is the demise of the classic Control Panel and the migration of all options to the new Settings app.
The whole strategy was announced several years ago when Microsoft started moving configuration options from the classic Control Panel to the Settings app, but the transition is still under way as we speak.
Microsoft, however, doesn’t have an ETA in mind as to when it plans to kill off the Control Panel completely, but more recently, it managed to move more options to the Settings app.
It happened in Windows 11 build 22509, which is now available for users in the Dev channel in the Insider program.
“We have moved the advanced sharing settings (such as Network discovery, File and printer sharing, and public folder sharing) to a new page in Settings app under Advanced Network Settings. We’ve made some updates to the device specific pages under Printers & Scanners in Settings to show more information about your printer or scanner directly in Settings when available. Some of the entry points for network and devices settings in Control Panel will now redirect to the corresponding pages in Settings,” Microsoft explains.
Control Panel to stick around for a little longer
By the looks of things, the death of the classic Control Panel isn’t exactly around the corner, so it could still take a while until the transition is complete.
Needless to say, the Settings app as a whole is also evolving, and this is good news for Windows 11, especially as the new operating system is supposed to provide a modern experience from one end to the other.
As for when the improved Settings app is supposed to reach production devices, we should just keep in mind the change is still in the Insider program with no ETA for all users.