Neowin News Feed for: Settings

Windows 11 quietly gets a new security feature to protect system files in KB5074105

Taras Buria — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:34:01 +0000

There is a new security feature in Windows 11 to protect system files, which was quietly rolled out in the latest update. Read more...

Five things Windows 10 never fixed

Usama Jawad — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:16:01 +0000

Windows 10 got a lot of stuff right, but it did falter in some areas. Despite the OS being almost 10 years old, some issues continue to linger. Read more...

GNOME 44 launches with better Settings app and quick settings menu improvements

Paul Hill — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:00:01 +0000

The GNOME Project has released GNOME 44 today with improvements to the Settings app, the quick settings menu, and the Software app. Linux distributions will eventually ship this new GNOME release. Read more...

Settings app in Windows 11 is about to get a lot of new features and improvements

Taras Buria — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 17:34:01 +0000

Users and enthusiasts continue digging out new hidden features in the latest Windows 11 preview build. The Settings app will soon let you create VHD/VHDX, rearrange keyboard languages, and more. Read more...

How to remove the downloads menu from the Edge browser toolbar

Hemant Saxena — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 20:00:01 +0000

There is more than one way to stop the downloads menu from appearing under the Microsoft Edge browser toolbar. If you rarely use the browser to download something, here's how to remove it completely. Read more...

5 smaller features I like in Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:16:05 +0000

Like every other OS, Windows 11 has its pros and cons. However, people tend to focus more on the negatives than the positives, so we have penned our thoughts on some smaller features that we like. Read more...

5 smaller things I dislike about Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:16:01 +0000

Windows 11 is a bit of a mixed bag even roughly one year after release. Keeping aside major missing functionalities, here is a list of the top 5 pet peeves I have about the OS in its current state. Read more...

Windows Subsystem for Android July update adds AV1 support, updated Settings, and more

Sayan Sen — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:18:01 +0000

Microsoft today released a major update for Windows Subsystem for Android all Insider channels. It brings AV1 codec support, IPv6, VPN connectivity, Settings app update, and much more. Read more...

Closer Look: Focus in Windows 11 Dev Channel

Usama Jawad — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 18:16:01 +0000

Microsoft has introduced a new way to launch Focus sessions in Windows 11 Dev Channel. However, it's not a perfect implementation yet even though the company's heart is in the right place. Read more...

Windows 11 will now show a watermark if you are on an unsupported Insider PC

Usama Jawad — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:22:02 +0000

Microsoft has started displaying a cautionary watermark regarding system requirements not being met on Windows 11 Dev Channel PCs. There is also a similar warning in the Settings app. Read more...

Five things I love about Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 18:00:01 +0000

While Windows 11 is far from a perfect OS and still feels like a work in progress, there are still a lot of things to like about it. Read on to know about the top five things I love about it. Read more...

Closer Look: Settings app UI in Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 17:16:01 +0000

In this week's Closer Look, we discuss the changes that Microsoft has made to the Settings app in Windows 11, such as the removal of a traditional landing page and presence of breadcrumbs. Read more...

Closer Look: Default apps settings in Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:00:01 +0000

Microsoft has drastically modified its default apps configurations in Windows 11, and not in a good way. The new design is downright awful and makes it harder for people to switch default apps. Read more...

Microsoft is testing a new header for the Windows 10 Settings app

João Carrasqueira — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 17:30:01 +0000

A user on Twitter has spotted some changes to the Windows 10 Settings app in the latest build released to Insiders. It now features a large header with user info and links to important settings. Read more...

Microsoft may remove the old-school volume mixer from future Windows 10 builds

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:02:01 +0000

As spotted by some keen observers, the latest Insider build flighted to the Fast Ring has changed how you access the volume mixer in Windows 10 in favour of its equivalent found in the Settings app. Read more...

Opera 55 brings more control over visited web pages and more accessible bookmarks

Paul Hill — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:46:01 +0000

Opera Software has just released Opera 55. The new update brings an updated settings menu that supports the dark theme, if it's enabled. In addition, the bookmarks bar is now enabled by default. Read more...

Microsoft is adding a Fonts page to Settings in the next version of Windows

Rich Woods — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:40:01 +0000

In the next feature update to Windows 10, version 1803, Microsoft will be adding a Fonts page to the Settings application. Users will be able to download new fonts from the Microsoft Store. Read more...

Microsoft now reminds users to install latest Windows 10 version and review privacy settings

Usama Jawad — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 07:02:02 +0000

Microsoft will now be regularly reminding users not running the Windows 10 Creators Update to review their privacy settings and upgrade to the latest feature update - if they're running version 1507. Read more...

Windows 10 build 15002 brings Dynamic Lock to Fast ring users

Gurkaran Singh — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 03:54:01 +0000

Microsoft has included a new security feature with build 15002. Dynamic Lock, internally referred to as 'Windows Goodbye,' is a neat option to keep your system safe while you're gone. Read more...

Windows 10 build 15002: Microsoft adds Theme Management and blue light options to Settings

Andy Weir — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 19:18:39 +0000

Microsoft's first Windows 10 preview build of 2017 brings all sorts of new features, including new additions to its Settings, with more personalization options, and automatic blue light adjustment. Read more...

Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 build 10586.29 for PCs, matching latest Mobile release

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:00:01 +0000

Microsoft today rolled out another cumulative update to Windows 10 on PCs, bringing the build number to 10586.29 - the same as the new mobile build - and patching some security issues. Read more...

In Windows 10 Build 10568, Microsoft wants users to give its built-in apps a second chance

Ian Ginos — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 06:38:02 +0000

While Windows 10 Build 10568 seems to have very little in terms of actual new features, the build does reveal that Microsoft really wants Windows users to be loyal to its default apps. Read more...

The Control Panel may soon disappear in future Windows 10 builds

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:28:01 +0000

In a twitter exchange with a Windows Insider, Microsoft's Gabe Aul and Brandon LeBlanc acknowledged the unnecessary complexity due to two settings applications; the Control Panel may soon be gone. Read more...

PSA: Turn off this iOS 9 setting if you don't have an unlimited data plan

Usama Jawad — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 14:18:01 +0000

There is a default setting in Apple's iOS 9, which is probably using more of your data plan than usual. Fortunately, there's an easy fix for the issue which takes less than a minute. Read more...

Windows 10 Mobile features some new location settings and prompts

Vlad Dudau — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:10:01 +0000

Microsoft is detailing some of the changes that are taking place when moving from Windows Phone 8 to Windows Mobile 10. These include simplified location prompts and settings for better privacy. Read more...

Microsoft launches new Calls+ app for Windows Phone

Andy Weir — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:52:19 +0000

Microsoft has released a new app for Windows Phone 8.1, which is designed to make it easier to manage settings for incoming calls, including configuration of your call-forwarding preferences. Read more...

PSA: How to open specific Settings directly in Windows 10 from the Run command

Steven Parker — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:28:02 +0000

It's now possible to navigate to a particular Settings page directly in Windows 10 by typing a command in the Run dialog. The names are mostly easy to remember as well. Read more...

Windows 10 Mobile build 10127 gets shown off online

Vlad Dudau — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:12:01 +0000

A much more recent build of Windows 10 Mobile, is being show off on video. Users will see a redesigned Settings app, new features, new apps available from the beta Store and numerous bug fixes. Read more...

Windows 10: New search feature in Settings app shows up in build 9888

Brad Sams — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 20:04:01 +0000

Earlier today, a version of Windows 10 was leaked and with it come a few new features including the ability to search inside the settings app which makes it easier to find what you are looking for. Read more...

Windows 8.1 9385: How to enable hidden items in PC settings

Brad Sams — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:55:15 +0000

In the latest leaked build of Windows 8.1, there are a few settings that are hidden but with a simple application, you can enable these features and get a deeper looking into the direction of Windows. Read more...

Windows 8 Start screen change in RTM to allow pictures

Steven Parker — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:33:22 +0000

As the RTM draws nearer, the leaks continue to ...er, leak across the web. This time a Chinese website has posted up a few changes to the Start screen settings which appear to allow images now. Read more...

Fresh UI 8.83

Razvan Serea — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:46:28 +0000

Fresh UI is a fresh solution for configuring and optimizing Windows. Loaded with hundreds of useful settings for Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000/ NT4 / 98 / 95 / Me, it covers the customizing techniques Read more...

Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP

Daniel Fleshbourne — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 11:04:24 +0000

Quick Info File Name: WF_XPSP2.doc - Download Size: 943 KB - Date Published: 9/20/2004 - Version: 2.5 Overview Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes the Windows Firewall, a replacement... Read more...

Group Policy Settings Reference for XP SP2

Daniel Fleshbourne — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:21:17 +0000

This spreadsheet lists the full set of Group Policy settings described in Administrative Template (.adm) files that shipped with Windows XP SP2. This includes all policy settings supported on the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows... Read more...

Deploying Windows Firewall Settings XP SP2 (v2.4)

Fri, 13 Aug 2004 14:29:15 +0000

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes the Windows Firewall, a replacement for the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in previous versions of Windows XP. Windows Firewall is a stateful host-based firewall that discards unsolicited incoming... Read more...

Security Settings in Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP

Tue, 27 Jul 2004 12:03:15 +0000

Overview The Threats and Countermeasures Guide contains detailed information about relevant security settings that you can configure on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP SP1. This guide describes the different threats, potential countermeasures,... Read more...

Deploying Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP SP2

Daniel Fleshbourne — Mon, 14 Jun 2004 07:36:03 +0000

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), currently a Release Candidate in Beta testing, includes significant enhancements to the Windows Firewall component, previously known as the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). Windows Firewall is a stateful host-based... Read more...

Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Windows XP SP2

Daniel Fleshbourne — Fri, 07 May 2004 09:24:11 +0000

Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows XP SP2 RC1

Daniel Fleshbourne — Wed, 28 Apr 2004 07:43:25 +0000

This spreadsheet lists the full set of Group Policy settings described in Administrative Template (.adm) files shipped with Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1. This includes all policy settings supported on Windows... Read more...

Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Windows XP (SP2)

Steven Parker — Sat, 10 Apr 2004 14:44:35 +0000

Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment. Windows... Read more...