News Microsoft's Windows Control Panel might not get the axe after all — 38-year-old feature could live on as wording about deprecation is removed

[Admin]

A sentence that seemed to confirm the Control Panel's retirement was replaced by a more ambiguous line.

Microsoft's Windows Control Panel might not get the axe after all — 38-year-old feature could live on as wording about deprecation is removed : Read more

 

[Air2004]

Microsoft should just allow for more user customization of the OS and make the contol panel a container folder, allowing users to place quick access to whatever it is they'd like there.
What I mean is, make it like a PC version of Nova Launcher.

 

[JamesJones44]

Microsoft should just allow for more user customization of the OS and make the contol panel a container folder, allowing users to place quick access to whatever it is they'd like there.
What I mean is, make it like a PC version of Nova Launcher.

Exactly. Some Linux distros have the system settings visible just via a base system/file browser. The nice part is when searching for something it works just like trying to find any other file on the file system. That would allow MS keep the "Settings" app/section simple for basic users while letting advanced users have an easy to navigate structure.

 

[drtweak]

Biggest issue I have with settings in Windows 11 (I actually don't mine 10) is 1) Gettings to the damn main printer settings. W10 its still there, not in 11. Need the niddy gritty of that as a IT tech. I haven't dealt with 11 that much yet though to find all the shortcut. 2) Network settings. Still a pain to get to the old school settings through the settings.

Control Panel was perfect. I understand some things like Users and other Microsoft account things and the security center those are all fine, but some stuff needs to stay.

 

[Amdlova]

Someone tried format a pendrive on windows 11?
The 4gb pendrive I have tried goes to fat32 gpt microsoft as fu... another thing in windows

 

[hotaru251]

However, after a modicum of online backlash, it seems that Microsoft has backtracked on its words, as the document has since been updated.

i wonder why....
Settings is awful for anyone who has spent time w/ Windows over past 30+ yrs.

Even ignoring fact that many CP options dont exist in settings people do not want to relearn stuff they already know.

 

[ekio]

This OS is disgusting.
Between the spaghetti code base that can’t allow an update without breaking many thing, the atrocious UIs windows from obsolete versions everywhere, the horrible design choices that were bad 40 years ago and even more today, the duplicated features where new ones don’t replace the old one… this stuff needs to be erased and redone from scratch.
It’s a prime example of a technology that turned bad.

 

[excalibur1814]

As above... printers. It's an absolute pain in the rear and even the older method wasn't fantastic for business users wanting to add printer x/y.

 

[evdjj3j]

I had to use the Control Panel last night to change some sound settings.

 

[dimar]

Control Panel works fine and everyone knows how to use it. Settings needs to go away.

 

[WDPowell]

Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers

Pasting the above address, while in Control Panel, should take you to Devices and Printers.

It has worked for me in the past.

That gets you to the old style Devices and Printers screen, even in Windows 11.

Getting that address was a pain in the rear since Windows 11 Settings UI is god awful.

Settings -> Bluetooth and Devices -> click the "View more devices" hyperlink -> Scroll down and locate "More devices and printer settings" under the "Related settings" heading.

I'm mainly posting this as a reminder for myself, maybe someone else will find it useful.

I work H*ll Desk, so knowing tricks like this is beneficial to my job.

 

[ottonis]

The important question is: does a new tool work as effectively and efficiently as the old tool(s) that it is going to replae or does it pose new limitations on the functionality and/or usability?
This is the relevant question here.. Just because something is new, does not mean its necessarily better, and vice versa. Someone would need to compare the functionality point by point and then reach a conclusion where the new way works better (or worse) than the old one.

 

[t3t4]

The settings "app" is not an application, it's a program like all others. It is not simpler to use, it is simply dumbed down like everything else is now-a-days! You delete the control panel and Windows becomes completely unusable! In Win11 I currently spend most of my time in the registry since the garbage OS does not give me options I need anywhere else!

I really do think Linux is the only viable cure for this Microsoft disease.