Windows 11 25H2 moves more Control Panel into Settings

Preview builds shift additional Control Panel options into the Settings app as part of a modernization push.

Windows 11 25H2 moves more control panel into Settings

Microsoft released Windows 11 25H2 preview builds in both the Dev and Beta channels, pushing more legacy Control Panel options into the Settings app. The move accompanies new language and date time options now reachable under Settings, including added clocks, time server selection, and revised formatting controls. Other reorganizations relocate number and currency formatting, the Unicode UTF-8 toggle, and language copy options to central settings paths. A redesigned dialog for when the system cannot open a program appears in these builds, and the Dev channel adds a revamped mobile device companion in Start menu for easier access to messages and files.

Alongside these changes, Microsoft lists a batch of fixes across File Explorer, Start menu, Task Manager, and input methods. Known issues include potential rollback during update attempts for some Insiders and other bugs slated for fixes in future flights. The update signaling the ongoing shift toward Settings shows the balance Microsoft is trying to strike between modernization and preserving familiar workflows for power users and IT admins.

The shift reflects a broader design ambition to consolidate Windows configuration under Settings. Centralizing controls can simplify onboarding for new users, but it also risks leaving seasoned users and admins with a learning curve as familiar tasks move behind new paths. The changes demand clear documentation and consistent behavior across languages and accessibility options to prevent friction.

On the enterprise side, IT teams will want to test these builds in controlled environments before wider rollout. The cadence of previews and the spectrum of known issues mean training and change management must keep pace with the software. If Microsoft can deliver reliable migrations and stable new paths, the payoff could be smoother administration and fewer support tickets in the long run; if not, users may encounter confusion and divergent experiences across devices and updates.

Highlights

UI shifts like these require patient adoption and continuous guidance from Microsoft and the community.