Since Windows 8 was introduced in 2012, Microsoft has been gradually trying to phase out the traditional Control Panel in favor of the newer Settings app. This shift has been slow, but Microsoft is once again hinting that the end of the Control Panel might be near.
In a recent update to a support document, Microsoft mentioned that the “Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience.” However, they also noted that the Control Panel remains available for compatibility purposes and to access certain settings that haven’t yet transitioned. Despite this, Microsoft encourages users to switch to the Settings app.
For years, Microsoft has talked about retiring the Control Panel, a core part of Windows since its debut in 1985. While many features have been moved to the Settings app across Windows 8, 10, and 11, the Control Panel is still fully functional and widely used.
Microsoft hasn’t provided a clear timeline for when the Control Panel will be completely removed, suggesting that it may be here to stay a while longer. While the Settings app is more modern, many users, including myself, still rely on the Control Panel for specific tasks, especially System Administrators for troubleshooting.
Even though the Control Panel feels outdated, it remains a dependable tool.