Microsoft softens language about killing off the Control Panel, but it's still clearly gonna kill off the Control Panel

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And you know what? For once I'm not outraged with the Windows UI "innovation" of the moment.

MGS3 Naked Snake salute scene from end of game with control panel logo over eyepatch and ghostly Steve Ballmer smiling in background
(Image credit: Konami, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft)

Using Windows feels like a constant negotiation with a hostile and unstable terrorist whom I paid for the privilege, so I was ready to get up in arms about it formally "deprecating" the Control Panel in favor of the newer Settings menu. But then, as reported by Ars Technica, Microsoft softened its words, if not the meaning behind them, and more to the point, I don't think the big M is really doing anything wrong⁠—this time.

A Windows support page was recently updated with the language "The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience." After widespread discussion and reporting on the move, including PC World's editorial, "Windows will have to pry Control Panel from my cold dead hands" (much respect), Microsoft amended the language to read "many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience."

But I honestly can't remember the last time I used the Control Panel. I usually do get to my relevant destination via the Settings (ugh) "app," and failing that I'll make things work with the OS' search function, even though it's always trying to open up Bing in an Edge browser window for some godforsaken reason⁠—has anyone ever "Binged" a result in Windows' OS search intentionally, even once?

If we're being honest, the Control Panel has been in the process of being deprecated for Settings' streamlined and modern whatever for some time now, and I don't hate it⁠—I could never find shit in the Control Panel! There was never a rhyme or reason to its layout⁠—alphabetical, thematic, what have you⁠—you just had to squint and go down the columns until you found what you were looking for, or otherwise submit to a dumbed down categorical view that still felt randomized somehow. I owe the Control Panel nothing. It can die for all I care.

Ted Litchfield
Associate Editor

Ted has been thinking about PC games and bothering anyone who would listen with his thoughts on them ever since he booted up his sister's copy of Neverwinter Nights on the family computer. He is obsessed with all things CRPG and CRPG-adjacent, but has also covered esports, modding, and rare game collecting. When he's not playing or writing about games, you can find Ted lifting weights on his back porch. You can follow Ted on Bluesky.