Subj : Windows 11 users could get a shiny new Soundscape Settings page t To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Sep 26 2024 17:30:06 Windows 11 users could get a shiny new Soundscape Settings page to replace another bit of the ancient Control Panel Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:17:25 +0000 Description: The end of Windows 11s Control Panel draws ever nearer as hidden Soundscape settings are uncovered. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Microsoft is continuing to modernize Windows 11 by gradually transferring the legacy Control Panels functions to its newer, shinier Settings app, and the latest effort on this front appears to be audio-related. Trusted leaker of Windows developments on X, PhantomOfEarth, discovered a hidden Soundscape panel in the Settings app (as highlighted by XDA Developers ). This was present in an old (seemingly internal) preview build of Windows 11, and cant be found in current test builds, the leaker explains. 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 September 25, 2024 PhantomOfEarth observes that when the new Soundscape page is enabled, the link to the old legacy Control Panel Sound window (which is the More sound settings link, in System > Sound) is removed from Windows 11s Settings app - which suggests that this is a replacement for that old piece of functionality. The stumbling block right now is that this new Soundscape panel doesnt have any content at all, its completely blank. So, we cant be sure exactly what itll do (which isnt surprising, given that its not even present in Windows 11 preview builds right now, it was uncovered in an internal Microsoft-only build as noted). However, the one-line descriptive blurb for the new Soundscape option in the Settings app explains that it pertains to Startup sound, scheme, audio events, which is whats present in the legacy Control Panel Sound window under the Sounds tab. So, it seems like Soundscape will replace this, offering a way to change the Windows sound scheme, the sound on boot-up, and audio related to individual system events (an error happening, for example). (Image credit: Shutterstock/Standret) Making the Windows 11 interface more consistent is a necessary move If the Soundscape panel does eventually replace the old audio functionality here, itll be another step closer to the Settings app fully succeeding the Control Panel. Clearly, though, this is still in its very early stages, what with the new page not only being hidden, but tucked away in an internal build, and not even present in the software piped to Windows Insiders for testing. While its taking a long time, and work was begun in Windows 10 , its clear enough that Microsoft is determined to continue seeing off the Control Panel, and replacing it with a more streamlined Settings app. Remembering that the Control Panel is almost 40 years old is a sobering thought, and I do think that Microsoft needs to ensure that Windows 11 has a more modern, cleaner, and above all consistent design throughout. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Microsoft is giving some default Windows 11 apps a major performance boost and you could feel the payoff soon Windows 11s 24H2 update is almost here lets talk about some of the features were expecting to see Microsoft improves Windows 11 Start menu, with no new ads in sight and theres a bonus for the lock screen in latest preview ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-users-could-get-a-shiny -new-soundscape-settings-page-to-replace-another-bit-of-the-ancient-control-pa nel --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .