Windows 11 is getting a new Settings page with advanced options
Windows 11 is getting a new Settings page that includes some advanced features. Technically, this isn't a completely new addition, but rather a reworked version of the "For developers" section, where users and programmers can tweak a bunch of additional options. It seems Microsoft realizes that these features aren't just useful for developers, and renaming it "Advanced" would make that clearer (we've been hearing about this for over a year).
Specific changes
Information about this " Advanced " settings page was first discovered by technology blogger @phantomofearth. Accordingly, in addition to the new name, this area in the Settings app also has a refined interface and added features. Microsoft recently discontinued the Dev Home app and promised to integrate some parts into the operating system. Now, we see the results of that promise.
New features in the Advanced section are expected to include:
- Enable/disable long paths in folders
- Install Virtual Workspaces
- File Explorer source code integration
- Group options by category like Taskbar, File Explorer, Terminal, Virtual Workspaces.
Currently, this new settings page is only available in Windows Server build 26404 and is hidden by default. To enable it, users need to manipulate feature IDs — a familiar trick for 'techies', but a bit complicated for regular users. This feature is expected to appear soon in Insider builds for regular users. If you are interested, keep an eye out for new builds in the next few days/weeks.
So the Settings app is slowly taking over items from the outdated Control Panel, which is slowly being phased out. Windows 11 will also soon have a modern keyboard settings page, making you less dependent on the Control Panel.
