Microsoft released Windows 10 build 9926 to participants of the Windows Insider Program on Friday, January 23rd, and this latest build offers numerous new improvements throughout the operating system. If you have yet to download or install the build, you can head over here to grab it.
One of the big improvements that comes with Windows 10 build 9926 is a revamped Settings app. While the legacy Control Panel still exists, the Settings app is the new home for adjusting or tweaking a particular setting on your computer.
The new Settings app features a new interface, making it easier to use especially on a tablet device. The selections are bigger and the categories are much more organized. While the UI/UX may change by the time Windows 10 reaches final, the interface we played with in build 9926 was quite polished — although it still needed some visual fixes here and there.
Let’s take a visual tour of the Settings app and see what’s new:
Tapping or clicking the System category will take you to an area where you can adjust your display settings, tweak your notifications, see what apps are taking the most space, etc. The design of the Settings app seems like it was tailored for tablet use, which definitely makes it easier while on the go. For those of you using Windows 10 on the desktop, these visual tweaks will still be appreciated and are just as easy to use.
The Devices category allows you to see what devices are connected to your computer, along with the ability to tweak your mouse/touchpad settings, as well as your typing (you can enable or disable autocorrect for misspelled words, or highlight misspelled words). You can also enable or disable AutoPlay for all media and devices, as well as set default behaviours.
The Network & Internet category allows you to adjust WiFi, Cellular, VPN, DirectAccess, Dual-up, Ethernet, and Proxy settings. Basically every setting you need to adjust when it comes to network and internet is right here.
The Personalization category needs work, but in here, you can change your lock screen, adjust your screen saver settings, and more. You should be able to change your wallpaper here as well, in addition to the desktop color settings — these settings may appear in a later build.
In the Privacy tab, you can make quick adjustments to your general privacy settings, location settings, and more.
In the Update & Recovery category, which is similar to Windows 8.1, you can refresh your PC without affecting your files, or remove everything and reinstall Windows. You can also go back to previous versions of Windows, adjust your advanced startup settings, create a backup of your system, or update your system via Windows Update.
So there you have it. The new Settings app looks promising and simply transforms the old Control Panel into something that is easier to use, much more organized, and optimized for mobile use.
Further reading: Microsoft, Windows 10, Windows 10 Howto
