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{{Short description|Configuration interface of Windows 8 or later}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox OS component
{{Infobox software
| name = Settings
| name = Windows Settings
| os =
| logo = Windows Settings app icon.png
| logo = [[File:Windows Settings icon.svg|64px]]
| screenshot = Windows 10 settings app.png
| screenshot = Windows 11 Settings.png
| screenshot_size = 300px
| caption = Settings app on Windows 10 version 1803, displayed with light theme
| caption = Screenshot of [[Windows 11]]'s Settings app.
| other_names = PC settings<br />Immersive Control Panel
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
⚫
| type = [[Control panel (software)|Control panel]]
| other_names =
| included_with = [[Windows 8]], [[Windows 8.1]], [[Windows RT]], [[Windows 10]], [[Windows 10 Mobile]]
| included with = [[Windows 8]] and later<br>[[Windows Server 2012]] and later
| also_available_for =
⚫
| genre = [[Control panel (software)|Control panel]]
| replaces =
| replaced_by =
| related_components = [[Control Panel (Windows)]]
}}
}}
'''Windows Settings''' (formerly '''PC settings'''), or simply '''Settings''' app, is a component of [[Microsoft Windows]]. It allows users to adjust their user preferences, configure their operating system, and manage their connected devices. Microsoft introduced Settings with [[Windows Server 2012]] and [[Windows 8]], and initially intended it to replace the [[Windows Control Panel]], something that has not happened after a decade.


== Overview ==
'''Settings''' (formerly '''PC settings''') is a component of [[Windows 8]] and later with which the user can customize and configure the operating system. Microsoft intends it to eventually replace the existing [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]].
The Settings app initially exposed a very small portion of [[Windows Control Panel]] (Powershell)'s functionality. Over time, however, it has become the sole user interface and control point for functions such as [[Windows Update]] (removed from Control Panel) and Windows Hello Control Panel Edition (never added to Control Panel). The app categorizes its settings by function, just as the Control Panel did since [[Windows XP]]. Unlike the Control Panel, however, it does not offer a unified mode in which the bulk of all available settings assail the app window in a contextually haphazard fashion.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kishore|first=Aseem|date=19 January 2016|title=How to Enable the God Mode Control Panel in Windows|url=https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/enable-god-mode-control-panel-windows/|website=Online Tech Tips.com|access-date=September 21, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404153005/https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/enable-god-mode-control-panel-windows/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The Windows Settings app is a [[Universal Windows Platform apps|UWP app]], installed in the <code>C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel</code> path. The Windows components in charge of servicing UWP apps also work with this app, but refer to it as <code>Windows.ImmersiveControlPanel</code>.
⚫
== Windows 8.x ==
On Windows 8, PC settings was designed as a simplified settings area optimized for use on touchscreen devices. It exposed a small portion of [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]] functionality on a two-paned full-screen interface; additionally, adding accounts and changing user pictures could only be done from PC settings.<ref name="pcw-addingmanaging8">{{cite web|title=Adding and Managing Users in Windows 8|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/258875/adding_and_managing_users_in_windows_8.html|website=PC World|publisher=IDG|accessdate=September 20, 2015}}</ref>


== Historial Facts ==
⚫
[[Windows 8.1]] improved upon this component to include more options that were previously exclusive to Control Panel,<ref name="ars-wblue">{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Bright |title=Windows Blue leaks: More Metro, more multitasking |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/windows-blue-leaks-more-metro-more-multitasking/ |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 25, 2013 |accessdate=January 20, 2014}}</ref> as well as providing more organization and a redesign. It also added a small "Control Panel" link at the bottom of the left pane to allow users to open the Control Panel and access further options.
The first versions of Windows to make the Settings app available were [[Windows Server 2012]] and [[Windows 8]], which Microsoft [[released to manufacturing]] on 1 August 2012. Before that, Windows users had to use [[Windows Control Panel|Control Panel]] to configure their operating system. Microsoft has alleged that Settings would eventually replace [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]],<ref name="cp">{{Cite news|last=Coppock|first=Mark|date=October 9, 2015|title=Microsoft will fully replace Control Panel with "Settings" in future Windows 10 builds|work=On MSFT|url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-will-fully-replace-control-panel-settings-future-windows-10-builds|access-date=March 29, 2017}}</ref> but {{As of|2024|July|lc=y}}, it has not happened.

=== First generation of settings app on windows ===
[[File:Windows 8 PC Settings.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of Windows 8's Settings app.]]
[[File:Windows 8.1 PC Settings.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of Windows 8.1's Settings app.]]
The first generation of the app, called "PC Settings" was included with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, [[Windows 8.1]], and [[Windows Server 2012 R2]].

⚫
On Windows 8, the PC Settings app was designed as a simplified area optimized for use on touchscreen devices. It exposes a small portion of Control Panel functionality on a two-paned full-screen interface. Adding accounts and changing user pictures could only be done from this app.<ref name="pcw-addingmanaging8">{{cite web|title=Adding and Managing Users in Windows 8|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/258875/adding_and_managing_users_in_windows_8.html|website=PC World|publisher=IDG|access-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref> [[Windows 8.1]] improved upon this component to include more options that were previously exclusive to Control Panel,<ref name="ars-wblue">{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Bright |title=Windows Blue leaks: More Metro, more multitasking |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/windows-blue-leaks-more-metro-more-multitasking/ |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref> as well as providing more organization and a redesign. It also added a small "Control Panel" link at the bottom of the left pane to allow users to open the Control Panel and access further options.


The categories listed are:
The categories listed are:

* PC and devices
* PC and devices
* Account
⚫
* Accounts
* OneDriving
* OneDrive
* Search and apps
* Search app
* Privacy
* Privacy Policy
* Networks
⚫
* Network
* Time and language
* Times and languages
* Ease of Access
* Easing of Access
* Update and recovery
* Update And Bitlocker
* (Only if Windows isn't activated) Activate Windows
* Reset Windows License Windows (shows up only if Windows is Activated)

== Windows 10 ==
On [[Windows 10]], the app was renamed to "Settings". It includes more options that were previously exclusive to the desktop Control Panel.<ref name="pcpro-settingsmenu">{{cite web |title=Windows 10 review: Technical Preview (January 2015) |url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/software/1000331/windows-10-review-technical-preview-january-2015 |website=PC Pro |accessdate=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnet-settingsmenu">{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Jacobsson Purewal |title=Windows 10 Settings Menu: The System tab |url=http://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10-settings-menu-the-system-tab/ |website=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=May 26, 2016 |accessdate=February 7, 2015}}</ref> [[Windows Update]], which belonged to the Control Panel prior to Windows 10, now exclusively belong to Settings. As it is also a [[Universal Windows Platform apps|Universal Windows app]], this version of Settings is also used on [[Windows 10 Mobile]] for [[smartphone]]s and [[tablet computer]]s.<ref name="verge-universalpreview">{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Lowensohn |title=Microsoft previews universal apps for Windows 10 PCs, tablets, and phones |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7866941/windows-previews-universal-apps-for-windows-10-pcs-tablets-and-phones |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 21, 2015 |accessdate=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ars-febleak">{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Bright |title=Leaked images of Windows 10 for phones show us what to expect |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/leaks-of-windows-10-for-phones-show-us-what-to-expect/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=February 6, 2015 |accessdate=February 7, 2015}}</ref> On October 4, 2015, Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft said Settings would eventually replace the Control Panel.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mark |last=Coppock |url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-will-fully-replace-control-panel-settings-future-windows-10-builds |title=Microsoft will fully replace Control Panel with "Settings" in future Windows 10 builds |work=On MSFT |date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2017}}</ref>


=== Second generation of windows settings app ===
⚫
The Windows 10 Settings app contains the following categories:
[[File:Windows 10 2nd Gen, 1st revision settings.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in [[Windows 10 1507|RTM]]–[[Windows 10 version 1511|v1511]].]]
[[File:Windows 10 2nd Gen, 2nd revision settings.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in [[Windows 10, version 1607|v1607]]–[[Windows 10, version 1709|1709]].]]
[[File:Windows 10 2nd Gen, 3rd revision settings.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in [[Windows 10, version 1803|v1803]]–[[Windows 10 22H2|22H2]]. The same design is also used in [[Windows 10 Education|Education]], [[Windows 10 Pro for Workstations|Pro for Workstations]] and [[Windows 10 Enterprise|Enterprise]] editions, albeit the top recommendations bar is removed and replaced with the "Windows Settings" text instead, just like the 2nd redesign.]]
The second generation of the app, called "Settings" has been included with all releases of [[Windows 10]] (including [[Windows 10 Mobile|Windows 10 Mobile edition]]),<ref name="verge-universal preview">{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Lowensohn |title=Microsoft previews universal apps for Windows 10 PCs, tablets, and phones |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7866941/windows-previews-universal-apps-for-windows-10-pcs-tablets-and-phones |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ars-febleak">{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Bright |title=Leaked images of Windows 10 for phones show us what to expect |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/leaks-of-windows-10-for-phones-show-us-what-to-expect/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref> as well as [[Windows Server 2016]], [[Windows Server 2019|2019]] and [[Windows Server 2022|2022]]. It includes more options that were previously exclusive to the desktop Control Panel.<ref name="paper-settings menu">{{cite web |title=Windows 10 review: Technical Preview (January 2015) |url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/software/1000331/windows-10-review-technical-preview-january-2015 |website=PC Pro |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnet-settings menu">{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Jacobsson Purewal |title=Windows 10 Settings Menu: The System tab |url=http://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10-settings-menu-the-system-tab/ |website=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref> [[Windows Update]], which belonged to the Control Panel prior to Windows 10, now exclusively belong to Settings. The latest version contains the following categories:
* System
* System
* Devices
* Devices
* Phone (introduced in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update)
* Phone (introduced in v1709)
* Network & Internet
* Network & Internet
* Personalization
* Personalization
* Apps (introduced in Windows 10 Creators Update)
* Apps (introduced in v1703)
* Accounts
* Accounts
* Time & Language
* Time & Language
* Gaming (introduced in Windows 10 Anniversary Update)
* Gaming (introduced in v1607)
* Ease of Access
* Ease of Access
* Search
* Cortana (introduced in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update)
* [[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]] (introduced in v1703; removed in version v2004)
* Privacy
* Privacy
* Update & Security
* Update & Security
* Mixed Reality (introduced in Windows 10 Creators Update; appears only if a device meeting minimum HoloLens requirements is connected to the PC.)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://winaero.com/blog/add-remove-mixed-reality-settings-windows-10/|title=Add or Remove Mixed Reality from Settings in Windows 10 - Winaero|date=February 16, 2017|work=Winaero|access-date=April 24, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Mixed Reality (introduced in v1703; appears only if a device meeting minimum HoloLens requirements is connected to the PC)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://winaero.com/blog/add-remove-mixed-reality-settings-windows-10/|title=Add or Remove Mixed Reality from Settings in Windows 10 - Winaero|date=February 16, 2017|work=Winaero|access-date=April 24, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
While most of these categories offer what their name says, the "Update & Security" category contains an amalgam of loosely related items, including: Update, delivery optimization, backup, troubleshooting, recovery, activation, finding lost devices, the developer mode, and the Windows Insider program. Unlike what its name says, it cannot alter any security-related feature of the operating system.

[[Windows Server 2022]] updates some of the visual elements of the app, but not as extensively as [[Windows 11]]'s version and [[Windows Server 2025]]'s version.

=== Third generation ===
On [[Windows 11]] and [[Windows Server 2025]], the app has undergone a significant visual redesign, with a new layout, greater translucency, and refreshed icons, following the [[Fluent Design System]]. A persistent navigation sidebar has also been added, linking to various groupings of settings within the app<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parmar|first=Mayank|date=June 24, 2021|title=Microsoft shows off redesigned Settings app for Windows 11|url=https://www.windowslatest.com/2021/06/25/microsoft-shows-off-redesigned-settings-app-for-windows-11/|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=Windows Latest|language=en-US}}</ref>

⚫
The Windows 11 Settings app contains the following categories:

* Home (added in Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2)
* System
* Bluetooth & devices
⚫
* Network & internet
* Personalization
* Apps
⚫
* Accounts
* Time & language
* Gaming
* Accessibility
* Privacy & security
⚫
* Windows Update


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-settings-app-windows-10-creators-update What's new in the Windows 10 Creators Update Settings app] - Windows Central
* [https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-settings-app-windows-10-creators-update What's new in the Windows 10 Creators Update Settings app] - Windows Central
* [https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-settings-app-windows-10-fall-creators-update What's new with the Settings app in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update] - Windows Central
* [https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-settings-app-windows-10-fall-creators-update What's new with the Settings app in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update] - Windows Central

{{Windows Components}}


[[Category:2012 software]]
[[Category:2012 software]]
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[[Category:Universal Windows Platform apps]]
[[Category:Universal Windows Platform apps]]
[[Category:Windows components]]
[[Category:Windows components]]


{{windows-stub}}

Latest revision as of 23:04, 7 January 2025

Windows Settings
Developer(s)Microsoft
Included withWindows 8 and later
Windows Server 2012 and later
TypeControl panel
Websitelearn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/launch-resume/launch-settings-app Edit this on Wikidata

Windows Settings (formerly PC settings), or simply Settings app, is a component of Microsoft Windows. It allows users to adjust their user preferences, configure their operating system, and manage their connected devices. Microsoft introduced Settings with Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, and initially intended it to replace the Windows Control Panel, something that has not happened after a decade.

Overview

[edit]

The Settings app initially exposed a very small portion of Windows Control Panel (Powershell)'s functionality. Over time, however, it has become the sole user interface and control point for functions such as Windows Update (removed from Control Panel) and Windows Hello Control Panel Edition (never added to Control Panel). The app categorizes its settings by function, just as the Control Panel did since Windows XP. Unlike the Control Panel, however, it does not offer a unified mode in which the bulk of all available settings assail the app window in a contextually haphazard fashion.[1]

The Windows Settings app is a UWP app, installed in the C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel path. The Windows components in charge of servicing UWP apps also work with this app, but refer to it as Windows.ImmersiveControlPanel.

Historial Facts

[edit]

The first versions of Windows to make the Settings app available were Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, which Microsoft released to manufacturing on 1 August 2012. Before that, Windows users had to use Control Panel to configure their operating system. Microsoft has alleged that Settings would eventually replace Control Panel,[2] but as of July 2024, it has not happened.

First generation of settings app on windows

[edit]
Screenshot of Windows 8's Settings app.
Screenshot of Windows 8.1's Settings app.

The first generation of the app, called "PC Settings" was included with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2.

On Windows 8, the PC Settings app was designed as a simplified area optimized for use on touchscreen devices. It exposes a small portion of Control Panel functionality on a two-paned full-screen interface. Adding accounts and changing user pictures could only be done from this app.[3] Windows 8.1 improved upon this component to include more options that were previously exclusive to Control Panel,[4] as well as providing more organization and a redesign. It also added a small "Control Panel" link at the bottom of the left pane to allow users to open the Control Panel and access further options.

The categories listed are:

  • PC and devices
  • Account
  • OneDriving
  • Search app
  • Privacy Policy
  • Networks
  • Times and languages
  • Easing of Access
  • Update And Bitlocker
  • Reset Windows License Windows (shows up only if Windows is Activated)

Second generation of windows settings app

[edit]
Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in RTM–v1511.
Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in v1607–1709.
Screenshot of Windows 10's Settings app, in v1803–22H2. The same design is also used in Education, Pro for Workstations and Enterprise editions, albeit the top recommendations bar is removed and replaced with the "Windows Settings" text instead, just like the 2nd redesign.

The second generation of the app, called "Settings" has been included with all releases of Windows 10 (including Windows 10 Mobile edition),[5][6] as well as Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022. It includes more options that were previously exclusive to the desktop Control Panel.[7][8] Windows Update, which belonged to the Control Panel prior to Windows 10, now exclusively belong to Settings. The latest version contains the following categories:

  • System
  • Devices
  • Phone (introduced in v1709)
  • Network & Internet
  • Personalization
  • Apps (introduced in v1703)
  • Accounts
  • Time & Language
  • Gaming (introduced in v1607)
  • Ease of Access
  • Search
  • Cortana (introduced in v1703; removed in version v2004)
  • Privacy
  • Update & Security
  • Mixed Reality (introduced in v1703; appears only if a device meeting minimum HoloLens requirements is connected to the PC)[9]

While most of these categories offer what their name says, the "Update & Security" category contains an amalgam of loosely related items, including: Update, delivery optimization, backup, troubleshooting, recovery, activation, finding lost devices, the developer mode, and the Windows Insider program. Unlike what its name says, it cannot alter any security-related feature of the operating system.

Windows Server 2022 updates some of the visual elements of the app, but not as extensively as Windows 11's version and Windows Server 2025's version.

Third generation

[edit]

On Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, the app has undergone a significant visual redesign, with a new layout, greater translucency, and refreshed icons, following the Fluent Design System. A persistent navigation sidebar has also been added, linking to various groupings of settings within the app[10]

The Windows 11 Settings app contains the following categories:

  • Home (added in Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2)
  • System
  • Bluetooth & devices
  • Network & internet
  • Personalization
  • Apps
  • Accounts
  • Time & language
  • Gaming
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy & security
  • Windows Update

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kishore, Aseem (January 19, 2016). "How to Enable the God Mode Control Panel in Windows". Online Tech Tips.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Coppock, Mark (October 9, 2015). "Microsoft will fully replace Control Panel with "Settings" in future Windows 10 builds". On MSFT. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  3. ^ "Adding and Managing Users in Windows 8". PC World. IDG. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. ^ Bright, Peter (March 25, 2013). "Windows Blue leaks: More Metro, more multitasking". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. ^ Lowensohn, Josh (January 21, 2015). "Microsoft previews universal apps for Windows 10 PCs, tablets, and phones". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  6. ^ Bright, Peter (February 6, 2015). "Leaked images of Windows 10 for phones show us what to expect". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "Windows 10 review: Technical Preview (January 2015)". PC Pro. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  8. ^ Jacobsson Purewal, Sarah (May 26, 2016). "Windows 10 Settings Menu: The System tab". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Add or Remove Mixed Reality from Settings in Windows 10 - Winaero". Winaero. February 16, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  10. ^ Parmar, Mayank (June 24, 2021). "Microsoft shows off redesigned Settings app for Windows 11". Windows Latest. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
[edit]
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