The changes include migrating more apps from the Control Panel to the Settings app, but will it be a welcome change?
Microsoft is planning a big revamp of Windows 11, titled "Sun Valley 2." And while we don't know all of the details for this update, what we do know is Microsoft is planning some big changes to how you access your settings in Windows 11.
As reported on Windows Latest, Microsoft wants to change up how you access your settings in Windows 11. And part of this involves sunsetting the Control Panel.
The Control Panel has been a thorn in Microsoft's side as it tries to get rid of the aging application for good. However, there are still some settings that live entirely within Windows 11's Control Panel, so Microsoft can't quite give it the ax yet.
As such, part of this update will bring some of the Control Panel's features into the Settings app. And while we don't know all the details, we do know that the Storage Spaces tool is making its way into the new Settings app.
Now that it's free from the aging Control Panel UI, the Storage Space tool gets a sleek new look that fits in with Windows 11's modern theme. And now that it has made its grand debut in the new OS's Settings page, accessing it through the Control Panel will now open it in its new home instead.
There are a few other minor tweaks we know will come with Sun Valley 2. It'll introduce a new "Sustainability" tool within the Settings panel that will help you manage your computer's energy usage. It'll also add a new feature that lets you easily manage your notifications on Windows 11.
It'll also introduce some extra information in the header of different pages in Settings. This header will give you quick access to information and features that you might be interested in.
The Control Panel on Windows has long overstayed its welcome. It was meant to be good and gone by 2020, but it's still kicking around and contains some features that are only accessible through it.
Sun Valley 2 seems to be Microsoft's next shot at trying to remove the Control Panel from Windows 11. However, even it knows the dangers of shaking things up too quickly. Given how Storage Space will still exist as a shortcut in Control Panel, it's clear that people still use the aging application to access their favorite settings.
The question is, will Windows 11's users adapt to the change well? The Control Panel is a well-loved feature, and some may consider this migration to be an unneeded change to the Windows ecosystem. We'll just have to wait and see when the feature releases fully.
Sun Valley 2 comes with some interesting updates to Windows 11's Settings app, including the migration of at least one Control Panel tool into the new ecosystem. And given how Sun Valley 2 is scheduled to release later this year, we won't have long to wait to see if Microsoft's choice was the right one or not.
The Control Panel is a handy tool, even if Microsoft is trying to bury it. Here’s how to make your own shortcuts to the Control Panel.
A Computer Science BSc graduate with a deep passion for all things security. After working for an indie game studio, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech.
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