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Microsoft is actively working to enhance the user experience of Windows 11 by gradually phasing out the legacy Control Panel in favor of its more contemporary Settings app. The latest development in this ongoing modernization effort appears to focus on audio settings.
Renowned Windows insider, PhantomOfEarth, recently uncovered a hidden feature dubbed the ‘Soundscape’ panel within the Settings app, as reported by XDA Developers. This feature was discovered in an older, seemingly internal preview build of Windows 11 and is not currently available in the latest test builds.
According to PhantomOfEarth, enabling the new Soundscape page results in the removal of the link to the traditional Control Panel Sound window—specifically, the ‘More sound settings’ link found under System > Sound. This indicates that Soundscape is intended to serve as a replacement for the existing audio settings.
However, it’s important to note that the Soundscape panel is currently devoid of any content, leaving its exact functionality uncertain. This lack of information is understandable, given that the feature is still in a nascent stage, having emerged from an internal Microsoft-only build.
The brief description accompanying the Soundscape option hints at its focus on ‘Startup sound, scheme, audio events,’ which aligns with the functionalities available in the legacy Control Panel Sound window’s ‘Sounds’ tab. This suggests that Soundscape will ultimately provide users with the ability to customize the Windows sound scheme, adjust boot-up sounds, and manage audio notifications for various system events, such as error alerts.
Making the Windows 11 interface more consistent is a necessary move
Should the Soundscape panel eventually replace the existing audio settings, it would mark another significant step towards the complete transition from the Control Panel to the Settings app. However, it’s clear that this transition is still in its infancy, with the new feature not only hidden but also absent from the builds available to Windows Insiders for testing.
While the process has been gradual—initiated during the Windows 10 era—Microsoft’s commitment to phasing out the Control Panel in favor of a more streamlined Settings app remains evident. The thought that the Control Panel has been a staple for nearly 40 years serves as a reminder of the need for a modern, cohesive design in Windows 11.
