14 DAY TRIAL // The debut of Windows 10 also represented the demise of the classic Control Panel, with Microsoft beginning the transition to the modern Settings app of every little feature available in the classic interface.
In many ways, the whole thing makes a lot of sense, as the classic Control Panel is part of the traditional Windows experience that no longer exists today.
The Settings app, on the other hand, is ready for a modern future, so Microsoft bringing everything from Control Panel to the Settings app is something that aligns with the company’s Windows plans in the long term.
On the other hand, it’s not a secret that the whole transition has been happening slowly and gradually, so right now, even after so many years, both the Control Panel and the Settings apps are living side-by-side in Windows 11.
The days of Control Panel are numbered
The most recent Windows 11 preview builds available in the Beta and Dev channels continue the transition from the classic Control Panel to the Settings app by making it possible for users to remove more apps that are installed on the computer, including Win32 software. Previously, this option was only available in Control Panel.
“Settings now supports managing apps which were earlier only supported from Control Panel. This includes uninstallation of apps which have inter-dependencies (e.g., Steam and gaming apps running on Steam), repair and modifying of Win32 apps,” Microsoft says.
For the time being, however, the migration is yet to be complete, so this isn’t the end of the Control Panel. But without a doubt, Microsoft is slowly but surely getting closer to the moment when the classic Control Panel will finally get the ax, as it’s pretty clear that the long-term focus is exclusively on the Settings app in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.