An internal build of Windows 11 had a hidden “Soundscape” page, presumably to replace the ‘Sounds’ settings in the Control Panel. Although the Soundscape page isn’t populated or even present in test builds, Microsoft has been gradually nudging Windows OS users towards the modern Settings page.
Windows 11 Soundscape panel is a placeholder, for now
Microsoft routinely improves Windows 11. However, despite the company’s earnest attempts, Control Panel continues to remain inside the Windows OS.
It appears Microsoft had tried to take away another crucial customization option from the Control Panel. As spotted by X user PhantomOfEarth, there’s a hidden ‘Soundscape’ panel in the Settings app.
25267.1001 includes the Soundscape settings page, meant to be a replacement for the old Sound control panel (the link to it is removed from Settings > System > Sound when the ID is enabled). The page doesn’t have any content, though. Can’t be enabled in Insider builds. pic.twitter.com/Xouacpag7P
— phantomofearth 🍂 (@phantomofearth) September 25, 2024
The Soundscape panel was reportedly present in an old, and presumably internal review build of Windows 11. In other words, the Soundscape panel is not present in any of the recent test builds of Windows 11.
Interestingly, when the new Soundscape page is enabled, the link to the old legacy Control Panel Sound window disappears. Incidentally, Microsoft currently offers a ‘More sound settings’ link, in System > Sound, which offers the same settings.
The Soundscape panel doesn’t have any settings for now. In other words, Microsoft could be treating it as a placeholder. However, the one-line descriptive blurb for the new Soundscape option reads: ‘Startup sound, scheme, audio events.’ Needless to say, this is the same description for the ‘Sound’ settings page in Control Panel.
When will Microsoft kill the Control Panel?
The Control Panel in Windows is almost 40 years old. It still has nearly every imaginable setting and customization option. However, there’s no doubt that Microsoft intends to kill or bury Control Panel.
The Settings page is prominently visible and accessible inside Windows 11. It offers a modern, cleaner, and above all consistent design throughout. The Control Panel, on the other hand, appears like a relic.
Despite Microsoft’s persistent efforts, the increasingly archaic Control Panel is still present in Windows. It appears the company is having a hard time trying to move away from old platforms and PCs.
The Soundscape panel inside a Windows 11 internal build is a clear indicator Microsoft is not giving up. Strangely, the new panel is not only hidden, but Microsoft reportedly tucked it away in an internal build. Moreover, the company didn’t even include the Soundscape panel in any of the recent OS builds sent out to Windows Insiders for testing.