Microsoft continues its decade-long effort to migrate Control Panel features into the modern Windows Settings app to simplify and unify system configuration for users. In the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build 25H2 released in August 2025, new settings such as clock preferences, time server configuration, formatting for time, number, and currency, UTF-8 language support toggle, keyboard character repeat delay, and cursor blink rate have been moved from the traditional Control Panel to the Settings app. This work reflects Microsoft’s strategy to eventually replace the older Control Panel, which remains partly for compatibility but has an aging and fragmented interface that confuses many users.
The Settings app is designed to be safer and more user-friendly by offering curated, context-aware controls instead of exposing all powerful but potentially risky options found in the Control Panel. It integrates well with Windows core mechanics, featuring easy access via keyboard shortcuts (Windows + I), quick search, pinned settings, and is updated regularly via Windows Update with new features and fixes — none of which apply to the frozen and obsolete Control Panel.
Furthermore, Microsoft has enhanced the Start Menu experience by adding mobile app notifications (beyond texts, calls, and photos) via the Phone Link section, bringing better integration of connected phone notifications directly into Windows.
In summary, the Control Panel’s functionality continues to shrink as the Settings app expands its scope and usability in Windows 11 throughout 2025, edging ever closer to full retirement of the Control Panel.