And how the Control Panel moves closer to its demise

Sep 10, 2018 09:06 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has made it a priority to kill off the classic Control Panel and move all options to Settings, and the upcoming October 2018 Update brings more changes in this regard.

Technically, this new OS feature update, also called Redstone 5 or version 1809, continues Microsoft’s transition from Control Panel to Settings, while at the same time bringing several key improvements.

First and foremost, one of the sections moved to the Settings app concerns sound device properties. Starting with the October 2018 Update, you no longer have to launch Control Panel to access such configuration options, and you can manage all your input and output devices from Settings.

Additionally, Microsoft has created a new Windows HD color page under the Display section that lets you configure HDR settings. In addition to several configuration options, this screen also comes with a preview video to show what vide would look like with new settings. You can choose between multiple displays if several are connected to your PC.

Settings in Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Microsoft has tried to make the Settings app easier to use, especially for rookies who typically require assistance when setting up their computers.

In the October 2018 Update, there are several suggestions and recommendations placed on the right side of the screen, many of them pointing to the most common questions that these users are seeking answers to.

For example, when opening the display section, you get more information on Night light, with a short description telling you that configuring this feature can help sleep better, while further links assist you as you adjust font size, change screen brightness, or fix screen flickering.

There are more refinements for the typing experience too. Since Microsoft has integrated SwiftKey in the touch keyboard available in Windows 10, the Settings app lets you access more details, like the typing insights.

You can see information like the number of autocompleted words, suggested words, keystrokes saved, and spelling corrections, just like the statistics that SwiftKey provides on Android and iOS. All these numbers are available under Devices > Tying > Typing insights.

Settings in Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Customers using Bluetooth devices connected to their Windows 10 devices, like mice and keyboards, can find more information on battery status right from Settings. The operating system automatically reads battery info and displays them next to each connected accessory.

At the same time, Microsoft has also updated the Data Usage screen. Since LTE devices running Windows 10 are becoming more common these days, you can now access roaming user information right within the Settings app. This way, data should be managed better, especially when always on the go.

As part of Microsoft’s transition from Control Panel to Settings, the company has also transferred regional format settings to the Windows 10 modern interface.

So beginning with the October 2018 Update, you can configure things like calendar, the first day of the week, dates, times, and currency, all straight from the Settings app.

Another key feature that’s not entirely related to Settings but which you can access from this screen is Windows Update. In October 2018 Update, Microsoft has implemented a new machine learning-based system to handle Windows updates more accurately, so things like unexpected reboots are no longer supposed to happen.

You can still see in Settings when updates are being downloaded, but reboots shouldn’t occur unless you don’t use your system. This means Windows 10 will learn when it’s the time to restart your computer and complete the install.

Al these changes, along with some other smaller touches here and there, will become available to everyone with the release of the October 2018 Update next month. You can already try them out in the existing preview builds by enrolling in the Windows Insider program.

Settings in Windows 10 October 2018 Update

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Settings in Windows 10 October 2018 Update
Settings in Windows 10 October 2018 UpdateSettings in Windows 10 October 2018 Update
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