Design Evolution of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel

The Control Panel in Microsoft Windows has been around as long as the operating system itself. It's been the nerve center for the world's most popular desktop operating system since 1985, when Windows 1.0 debuted. Of course, the settings and options were limited in the early days, but a steady progression can be seen over the decades. Enjoy this trip down memory lane as you see what the Windows Control Panel used to look like.

Windows 1.0 Control Panel (1985)

Windows 1.01 Control Panel Preferences (1985)

Windows 1.01 Control Panel Preferences (1985)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 2.0 Control Panel (1987)

Windows 2.0 Control Panel (1987)

Windows 2.0 Control Panel (1987)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 3.0 Control Panel (1990)

Windows 3.0 Control Panel (1990)

Windows 3.0 Control Panel (1990)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1, Windows NT 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Control Panel (1992-1993)

Windows 3.1 Control Panel (1992)

Windows 3.1 Control Panel (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Control Panel (1995)

Windows 95 Control Panel (1995)

Windows 95 Control Panel (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 98 Control Panel (1998)

Windows 98 Windows Control Panel (1998)

Windows 98 Windows Control Panel (1998)
Source: cwdixon.com/

Windows 2000 Control Panel (2000)

Windows 2000 Control Panel (2000)

Windows 2000 Control Panel (2000)
Source: dotcio.rpi.edu

Windows ME Control Panel (2000)

Windows ME Control Panel (2000)

Windows ME Control Panel (2000)
Source: simplehelp.net

Windows XP Control Panels (2001)

Windows XP Control Panel (2001)

Windows XP Control Panel (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Control Panel Classic View (2001)

Windows XP Control Panel Classic View (2001)
Source: suffieldacademy.org

Windows Vista Control Panel (2006)

Windows Vista Control Panel (2006)

Windows Vista Control Panel (2006)
Source: computerperformance.co.uk

Windows 7 Control Panel (2009)

Windows 7 Control Panel (2009)

Windows 7 Control Panel (2009)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 8 Control Panel (2012)

Windows 8 PC Settings (2012)

Windows 8 PC Settings (2012)
Source: softpedia.com

Windows 8 Classic Control Panel (2012)

Windows 8 Classic Control Panel (2012)
Source: wikihow.com

Windows 10 Control Panel (2015)

Windows 10 Settings (2015)

Windows 10 Settings (2015)
Source: controlpanelwindows10.com

Windows 10 Control Panel Classic View (2015)

Windows 10 Control Panel Classic View (2015)
Source: rosettastone.com

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