It’s all about those annoying printer and network drivers.
It’s all about those annoying printer and network drivers.
Microsoft first initiated efforts to eliminate the Control Panel in 2012, coinciding with the introduction of Windows 8. Over ten years later, it is still engaged in the transition of all the legacy Control Panel features into the modern Settings application in Windows 11. Although there have been indications that the Control Panel may eventually be phased out, the situation is much more complex for Microsoft.
“We’re proceeding cautiously as there is a multitude of distinct network and printer devices & drivers we must ensure remain functional throughout the transition,” states March Rogers, partner director of design at Microsoft. I could be mistaken, but I believe this is the first comprehensive explanation we’ve received from Microsoft regarding the lengthy delay in eliminating the Control Panel.
It seemed like Microsoft was on the verge of finally axing the Control Panel in 2024, after years of Microsoft downplaying the Control Panel in its recent Windows 11 updates. However, a support note suggesting the imminent removal of the Control Panel was swiftly revised to clarify that Microsoft was still working on transferring the Control Panel features to the Settings application.
Last year Microsoft also transferred clock settings, keyboard repeat delay, mouse cursor blink rate, and formatting for time, number, and currency into the Settings application. Many other mouse settings can also be found in the main Settings app, allowing you to avoid using the Control Panel these days.
I can’t recall the last instance I accessed the Control Panel due to Microsoft’s latest mouse and keyboard enhancements in the main Settings application, yet many Windows users used to favor the traditional interface simply because it was easier to navigate through various settings.
Microsoft is “prioritizing design quality in Windows currently,” according to Rogers. The Settings interface is being “optimized for clarity” this month, along with other enhancements to Windows 11 as part of a larger initiative to enhance the OS.
