Marcus Ash, Microsoft's vice president of design and research, explained why parts of Windows 11, such as Control Panel and the registry editor, still carry decades-old designs, in an interview with Windows Central.
Ash said the issue is not really about design. He said tools like Control Panel create difficulties because customers may have drivers or other elements that depend on that outdated functionality, so Microsoft has to be careful not to break compatibility. He said that once the necessary features are available in Settings, Microsoft will stop using them in places like Control Panel where they are no longer needed, allowing the company to preserve that functionality going forward.
Compatibility as a strength
Ash said that although Windows 11 is criticized for its inconsistent design, the compatibility Microsoft is protecting is actually one of the operating system's strengths. He said Microsoft is proud of its compatibility with legacy tools and workflows, and that the company cannot rush to make modern changes.
