Microsoft has announced it will phase out the Windows Control Panel, a feature present since 1985. The more modern Settings app will replace the Control Panel. This marks the end of an era for one of the oldest features of Windows. It has been a central tool for adjusting system settings for nearly four decades.
“The Control Panel is a feature that’s been a part of Windows for a long time,” Microsoft stated on its support website. The company added that the Settings app offers a “more modern and streamlined experience” for managing system preferences.
The Control Panel was introduced with the first version of Windows, allowing users to adjust display settings, time and date, and other core system options. It was once considered the “nerve centre” of the Windows operating system.
Windows users have expressed nostalgia and frustration on social media, calling the Control Panel an “iconic” and “classic” feature. The transition, however, began years ago when Microsoft introduced the Settings app with Windows 8 in 2012. Since then, key elements of the Control Panel have migrated to the newer interface.
With approximately 1.5 billion Windows users globally, Microsoft remains the dominant player in the desktop operating system market. The company has not provided an exact date for the completion of the transition but encourages users to start using the Settings app now. The gradual phase-out will continue in upcoming updates.
