Submission details
It's Time: Unified Control Panel
UPDATE 6/22/2010: Re-uploaded all of the concept images. Sorry!
I think the largest issue in terms of usability with the Windows operating system to date is the lack of a central unified control panel. While the OS does have a fairly large control panel, there are still masses and masses of properties, options, settings, etc. that should have been merged into the control panel as well.
Users will navigate to the control panel, only to be lead through a maze of links and additional windows. One might open the Control Panel, open a section, click on a sub-section, click on a link within that sub-section, click on a properties link only to have a new window opened, only to click on another link to open another dialogue with multiple tabs, which might lead to another window, and so on so forth... You can open the control panel and endup in a completely different end of the OS within two or three clicks.
It makes Windows ridiculously difficult to use. Even tasks such as Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, things like that... there's no reason they shouldn't be a part of the control panel.
I realize this would clutter the control panel immensely, which is why I believe the entire CP requires next to a complete redesign. It's a huge task, yes, but it's one of the largest shortfalls of the OS. OSX's control panel is praised for it's ease of use because it tackles all of these issues. Whatever you click, you're always in the same window that you started from. And now it's time for the Windows OS to tackle this as well.
If you DEMOTE this suggestion, please post an explanation as to why. I think I've covered my reasons as to why this should be done, and it's only fair you post your reasoning as to why the control panel shouldn't be centralized. I'd be extremely interested in hearing why some might think so...
Merge everything, all properties, options, tasks, EVERYTHING into the control panel.
Please see the mockups I have created here: http://davidswebserver.com/ControlPanelConcepts/
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Discussion (93 comments)
Changed problem description.
I certainly agree David. It'd be a refreshing change and an extremely easy to use, comprehensive way of configuring your PC to have a unified Control Panel, so yes, definitely. :)
Changed problem description.
As well as usability, this will also help MS achieve that consistent UI that they are striving for. Get rid of all the old dialogues, buttons, etc. and move it all into modern UIs.
Indeed, all these different settings spread everywhere are a mess. It should be centralized.
Agreed. Time for a revamp.
WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree. Since Windows XP the Control Panel has been a mess, and it seems it's much much worse in Vista and 7.
It should either resemble regular Windows Explorer view more closely or get a total revamp and be a completely different animal.
Right now it's an utter mess. Some settings open in the "explorer" view, some launch additional dialogs. Well, the screenshot says enough. I just don't think MS can pull this off.
I like how Mac and KDE handle it.
I think an elegant and consistent solution would be to keep a classic "explorer view" and put all applets (grouped by categories of course) in a treeview on the right
http://www.aerotaskforce.com/view/272
http://www.aerotaskforce.com/view/44
http://www.aerotaskforce.com/?search=control+pannel%3B
a lot have gone in to great detel
Ok, here's a rather quick mockup that I have designed: http://www.jcxp.net/david/CP_Concept1.png
Notes:
- The user should never be more than ONE level deep in the Control Panel. In this case, the user would be in the Appearance and Personalization category. After that, no further windows or links should need to be clicked or opened except for setup wizards and such.
- All "Sub-Options" should be tabbed or available in the side panel, not as links or icons or shortcuts in one of the windows (such as the current Appearance and Personalization in 7, where there's a main personalization window, and links to open the Screensaver, Mouse, Sound etc. options at the bottom).
- NEVER should there be any references to "related" control panel options within a category (In the case of the screensaver options, there should be no "Power Options" link). That's how users get lost. If they want to change their power options, they need to go to the appropriate category.
- The Help link should always be centralized in one location, in this case the bottom left of the side panel. Users shouldn't need help finding help. If it's always in the same spot, everything should be fine.
Changed solution description.
o_O... I like that a lot David. That's what needs to happen. Definitely.
Dude, you are a genius! I wish I could vote this up thousands of times! That concept you came up with is brilliant. I cannot begin to explain to you how much easier this would make things-- well, I guess you already know, hence this suggestion.
Man...it would be nice if the Control Panel was like this. Just think - there would be no more clicking through 20 different dialog boxes to find the option you want!
Amen,,,,, microsoft, come on, you can do this. I know you can. Work on it now so by RTM it will be there!
I consider myself a power user and get lost in the Control Panel all the time. Please fix this, Microsoft! David's mockup works really well.
David's is the best mockup for a new UI i've seen.It looks so real, that if i didnt know it was a mock up, i would have thought it was real.
Thanks for the comments, really appreciate it :) I'm glad you all like the mockup design, I just hope Microsoft does too.
I'm currently working on several more mockups to cover many more aspects of the control panel (including a new design for the main Control Panel "home" page, no more of these extremely broad categories).
plus its not washed out. Microsoft seems to think washed out webpages and programs are "cool" they arnt. its just bull shit because it makes the program less apealing
Changed title from [Must Have: Unified Control Panel] to [It's Time: Unified Control Panel].
I still think a treeview on the left would be better. You could quickly access all the available options, yet you wouldn't be distracted, since only one category (for instance "Appearance") would be expanded at a time. I'll try producing a mockup.
I have created four new concept images of what I believe the Control Panel "home" should look like and I have also updated my Personalization Settings concept, please have a look at them here:
http://www.jcxp.net/david/ControlPanelConcepts/
@Jote: I certainly agree that a tree view would be better than the current Windows Control Panel, however I believe that type of layout would become very cluttered as you open more of the settings branches and such, rendering it difficult to navigate. But I may be picturing it wrong, so I look forward to your concept :)
Changed solution description.
@DavidTaraso: I like the new Home_*.png mockups, but for the sake of consistency with Windows Explorer - get rid of that green icons labels and use proper font color and size.
Re: treeview, yup, it can become cluttered, but many "preferences" dialogs are built this way - Winamp for instance.
I never used Vista, I installed it several days ago under VirtualPC and man, was I thrown off by that Control Panel. It blows. It's the "most inconsistent thing ever".
@Jote: I simply used the colors and such that are already in use in the current control panel. I'm not really worrying much about the fine details for now, more on the overall layout.
And I have another concept done, this time of the Date and Time settings :) http://www.jcxp.net/david/ControlPanelConcepts/...ings/Date_and_Time.png
Dude you should go work in Microsoft's UI Design/Useability team!
You have some fantastic ideas and it all looks so easy, clean,...
@Microsoft: Talk to this guy and have a look at his ideas because now all configuring is a mess split up over too much dialogs, different UI's,...
If I was david, I'd have Microsoft PAY for the ideas as this is a mock up that actually works
Great mock ups man.... this will soon become the most paopluar sugestion on w7t 47 votes and no - votes. it tells you something. we CARE a lot about this..
Put copyright on them... ;-)
Come on people, VOTE! These ideas rock!
Haha, they can pay me by using my ideas and incorporating them into a new control panel. Ok, maybe a free copy of 7 at RTM too? :P
I'm glad you guys are liking these concepts though. I'm still working on a few more :)
Send a mail to Steven ;-)
Problem with all this configuring/control panel stuff is that Microsoft had an idea with Windows 2000 to 'unify' -> ok, then in XP they had other great ideas so added that, then in Vista they had other ideas, added them too, now in Windows 7...
It just all accumulated over time and they should do a major cleanup and rethink it, just like you are doing now. You make it look all so perfect and easy!
Changed solution description.
Some Windows Defender concepts:
http://www.jcxp.net/david/ControlPanelConcepts/...d%20Security/Defender/
Added new image attachment.
I got lost in the current Control Panel again today. Had to use the "start over" button (breadcrumb) to get out of the mess. This really needs to be fixed, even though it is a TON of work.
But ots worth it. I wouldnt mind wating an extra year or so, have them delay windows 7 just to fix this...
but then again they will get cirtized buy those idiots
Well I don't think it would take a whole year to fix, maybe a month or two, but probably not a year. They would just have to make a GUI. They don't have to redo all the controls and base code, they just have to combine it into a single interface. It would still do the same things. Still a lot of work, but not as much.
Well if David can make the designs in 2 days, they should be able to do it in 2 hours? ;-)
This is really something that they need to clean up, I hope they listen to our cries for help!
http://www.aeroxp.org/2008/11/sideshow-in-windows-7/
Dan Polivy talks about simplifying Control Panel in Windows 7 a little bit :)
Definetly voting for this, would become very usefull
Not only is this a good suggestion, your mockups are awesome.
amen. and look at it, at the time of this post 61 votes and none had voted it down.
is this a first for the task force websites? must be......
@Chris: Nah, there are plenty of suggestions that have all thumbs up.
Changed problem description.
*sigh* Who demoted this? Who likes having settings all over the place?
Don't worry 64/-1 isn't bad at all... ;-)
Although I don't get it either, would be nice if the person who demoted this came forward and explain the reason why so that we understand better.
Probably some lunatic Microsoft employee...
I'm guessing they did it because they saw .Chris's comment and decided: "You know what? That really PISSES ME OFF! I'm gonna be the one asshole who demotes this!"
Lol, that's probably how it went down.
or bearluke.....
steve balmer or brandon live. both have huge attatude problems
its days like this i wish i was a programmer. I love this control panel layout. If we make a big enough storm then mabey microsoft will do something about it.
Good luck with that Blackhartct:
http://www.aerotaskforce.com/view/77
http://www.aerotaskforce.com/view/272
Edit: Unless, of course, by "storm" you meant "buy a Mac." I'm sure if they lost a good chunk o' business they might feel like doing a little house cleaning.
Promoted, and I do agree that a lot of the settings are a mess, but aren't many things accessable from more than one place? For example, you can get to sound settings from the task tray as well as the control panel. Network settings. Display. And they've implemented your idea to some extent by simplifying settings into broad categories while also showing an "All Control Panel Items" button for advanced users.
Your Windows Defender concept is great.
I promote!
+1. I agree with this 100%. Instead of the control panel being 50 links that open seperate windows (each having different layouts), each link should open in the same window with a standard layout (options and related links on the left, etc). I think Vista's Control Panel was an improvement over XP's because it moved closer to a central/unified approach. I hope Windows 7 completes this transition.
+1 Good point.
The ribbon interface of Office 2007 has achieved one thing that no other app can do before: ie. it has successfully exposed all functions that were previously buried deep in menus or popups, etc.
I am not suggesting implementing blindly the same ribbon interface for Control Panel, but Microsoft should study the varying parts of Control Panels, and expose the functions in similar easily-accessible manner, like tree-view or tab-views as some of the above comments suggested
I think this will be #1 in a short while and I hope Microsoft takes it into account!
Although 7 is still an Alpha, I fear that they already have all the blueprints finished and this won't make it in or only partially... :-/
But we can only vote to make them clear that this is something a lot of people want to have.
It would be nice if the Windows 7 team would make comments on top ideas like this, e.g the first 10 to give an idea on what their plans are...drop it or next version or implement it.
They (MSFT) will not fix this. That's (http://www.jcxp.net/david/ControlPanelConcepts/...oks_Like_Right_Now.PNG) why they invented Aero Shake...
Just kidding...I totaly agree, it's about time.
100 :)
+1 Great, Great , Great, Great ,Great, Great point..
I have seen some mock ups of designs above in this thread.. I think MS should implement those to make the Control Panel even better.l.
so you gave this a -1 because you want the old?
we want to get rid of the old!
I'm not sure I understand your comment Urvabara. You're saying the user should have the option to choose between having everything centralized in one window and having everything divided amongst hundreds of windows (literally)?
Hope not,. We just need one
I'm sorry Urvabara, but that doesn't make any sense. Who would honestly prefer having hundreds of windows instead of just one?
Some things make sense as user specific options, but having the ability to switch between a simple interface and a ridiculously complicated interface for no reason isn't one of them.
Exactly. who on earth likes the way its sorted out now?
guess we know who demoted this ;)
While I fully support a unified Control Panel (and voted +1), I don't think your icon-centric mock-ups for the Home page is the way to go.
Too many icons creates too much of eye-hunting. People here keep praising the Mac's Control Panel (System Preferences), but it suffers from the same flaw, requiring me to sometimes use the Spotlight field to isolate what I'm looking for because my eyes cannot find it without having to search all over.
Vista's current scheme of a few, large, easily identifiable icons, with related text links below is the way to go imho.
Your home page mock-ups work in reverse. You have text-labeled categories, requiring the user to first read the Category name, rather than having the eye rest immediately on the category you actually want.
Then you have small icons with a mash of similar-looking greys, blues and greens that will take at least one full scan of the whole page to isolate what you're looking for.
Moreover, what are 'Advanced Settings'? On what criteria are you separating these from what are then ostensibly, 'Basic' Settings? Is a novice user expected to consider Firewall and Network settings something that is not 'Advanced'? This introduces a level of ambiguity and complexity that's not required.
Your idea on integrating Windows Defender into the Control Panel pages might not be a good idea. After initiating a scan, if the user wishes to navigate away, does he do this with the confidence that Windows Defender will continue scanning in the background? What if he wants to navigate away but still monitor the scan? What if he navigates away and then closes the Control Panel? Will the scan continue in the background? How is he notified of this? Will the Control Panel minimize to the tray, but as a Windows Defender icon instead? That would be counter-intuitive.
If more tasks like this are integrated directly into the Control Panel, how do you multi-task efficiently? Say I want to scan using Windows Defender, but also uninstall a large program at the same time. Or maybe say, scan my network for new printers. How does a single Control Panel window efficiently manage this?
I can confirm bulid 6801 has SOME of these already, such as firewall.
[Accidentally double posted, please see below]
@eikonoklastes2:
I think the icon-centric UI is the direction to move. The problem with the broad categories in Vista right now is that they are too broad and it causes users to travel an additional level through the control panel. It requires one extra click to get where you want to go. And because of how broad the categories are, that click may have been incorrect, which in turn may lead to additional clicks to go back.
With my mockups, you see all of the options right off the bat. You see exactly what you're looking for and you navigate to it. If you have difficulty spotting the option, the search bar is there. However the segregated categories should easily provide enough aid in spotting the option you are seeking.
As for the dull colors and icons, keep in mind I designed these mockups based only on the resources available to me, which are the current build of 7's icons and such. It would be up to Microsoft to redesign the icons for easier identification.
When it comes to the advanced settings, please read over the "Proposed Basic Guidelines.rtf" file in my concept directory. This outlines what options should and should not be considered advanced. Once again however, keep in mind these are simple mockups. Some of the options in my mockups which have [not] been clased as advanced may [not] need to be. It would be up to Microsoft to sort that, I simply provided a general example.
Regarding Windows Defender and other such tasks, this would operate in the same way Windows Update functions in Windows Vista and current builds of Windows 7. A system tray icon would appear with a baloon notification with informs the user that the scan is currently running in the background.
As for multitasking, it would be done by either a) The above, where some tasks are left in the system tray or b) You do what you would do with any other application, you open a new Control Panel window. Not much you can do to avoid that, except add tabs, but I don't think that's necessary with the redesigned taskbar.
Agree about the Windows Defender interface. I'd forgotten that Windows Update already does something similar and does it quite neatly. That will work. The multi-tasking too - just open another Control Panel, it's not a biggie.
I think what Microsoft has done with the Vista Control Panel is gather a lot of data about what CP items are used the most and has exposed them on the home page as single-click links.
Several other items that are used commonly are generally not accessed via the Control Panel - for e.g. I have never once opened the CP first to access Date and Time properties or Taskbar properties.
BTW, what you're proposing with your home page mockup already exists in Vista. Switch to Classic View and from the Category column drop down, choose Group.
Furthermore, using Stacks, you can quickly isolate your category from the drop-down menu to filter out everything else.
Personally, I vastly prefer the current default implementation and hope that they do not get rid of it even if they make the icon view the default. As you said - for stuff you can't find easily, just use the Search field. I have never once clicked on a Category to go one-level deeper; it's a waste of time.
David just need to let you know that it is somewhat necessary to have links to other options at the bottom.
I don't want to see myself keep going back and forth the home screen.
And I also just thought about it, users will start to forget to click the apply button as it has a not-so-prominent location at the bottom right and there is so much rich content. What happens if they click on another tab before clicking OK?
control panel is fine. dont fix something thats not broken
You got to be kidding me man.....
This is more important then dumb jump lists, ugly white/sliver UIs and icon less toolbars
if they dont listen, then they are fucked up and need to be fired
if your a ms employie and are pissed at this comment, well, listen to our feedback and people wont say these things
Why are people stupid?
Just use Windows Live Photo Gallery picture import style that click on specific icon and it shows entire tree and on left side but option to change style and wide or thin looking controlpanel!
When we click on Help and Security then it should open window or expand options on same window! <- That's not hard to implement!?!?!
Any one willing to make mockup with expandable panel settings and changeable style option on left side? <- I'm not good at this :(
I think we got the good ones already. but you could try... love to see what you got....
but I dont think microsoft will; ever do this, they fail to listen at times
In your mockups,
I don't like integrated:
1. Windows Defender
2. The cluttered home view
I like integrated:
1. Date & time
2. Screensaver options
Basically every control panel link on the Control Panel Home navigates in-place (Language options is the exception).
This is obviously an area which has improved a lot in Win7. The tasks that open separate windows or dialogs are generally either wizards or very advanced user or "classic" functionality.
But not all. All need to be constant with one and another, you guys have a problem with inconstancy,.
though I do agree windows 7 has improved with this, but you still need a lot of work of getting rid of the old boxes and icons..
BTW, language should be part of the new window to, it should not be an expection, hence an inconstancy
It is good to see everyone else thinks the same. The Control Panel is ugly. It is the biggest let down in Windows 7.
voted up, to me this is the biggest UI problem in Windows by far
+1
This looks amazing, I'm surprised it hasn't changed to look like this yet.
Voted +1 and it also would be great if the applications' options would be only about the software itself. For example in Internet Explorer, there is only "internet options" and there are too many settings to set up the browser. If I wanna change a setting I got to internet options and I say: Okey, I don't care, and I close it because I Don't have enough timo for that. That's the same with media player. There are so many options in the preferences of Windows applications that they mace it difficult to easily find somehing. MS shold make these option panels much much simpler! But actually the control panel has been improved a lot since XP and I think people can feel it.
+1
Excellent idea David I really love the mockups, especially the home one, well done.
As it is now the control panel is becoming to cluttered and unorganized and takes to long either finding what I want due to the shear amount of items or because I need to go through like 3 dialogue boxes to get to the options that I want to change.
+1
Hear, hear.
We seriously need this. :eh:
nO WE DONT...
ITS FINE AS IS,,,,,,,,
CONPECTS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE
nO WE DONT...
ITS FINE AS IS,,,,,,,,
CONPECTS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE
@David
WOW man is all i can say. Your Mockups are an operating system i would love to use. How about you design one for us =) !
I hope Microsoft is listening and watching this, you guys need to hire David to help your layout and design team. His ideas are absolutely outstanding. I am an IT tech and have been for 15 years and these ideas are just amazing. Dont get me wrong i love Win7 and have been using it as my primary OS on my HP DV6500t, but these improvements would be a tremendous boost to your new OS.
This doesn't seem ENTIRELY fair.. It's a great-looking concept that would make the "All Control Panel Items" look really organized, but they do already have a lot of these settings in your "how it is now" screenshot as Control Panel items.
I like the mockups but I like how in the current default, they offer tasks that can be accomplished right away. "Personalization" isn't as straightforward as "Change the Theme" and "Adjust resolution".
This mockup should replace teh All Control Panel Items screen,
+infinite
We surely need it, I hope it to see the light in windows 8
Windows 7 you mean, if not the entire control panel, then 75-95%
no, i meant windows 8, because i don't think microsoft will do it for windows 7
There is no "windows 8".
That's the best suggestion ever.
Just looking at the screenshot makes me want to faint... it is time for windows to COMPLETELY modernize the Control Panel with Aero...
Those mockups are amazing, however I think Screen Saver Options should be in a separate new window/process to prevent it from crashing explorer.exe
Anyone could point this to Micrsoft? It seems they have fixed most of our suggestions in RC1..... How about this one.
Some at least partial solution for this submission is the following:
- make a new folder and name it "Config.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}"
Now when you open it then you will see a lot (275 in my installation) of config options.
Doesn't everyone's favorite and newly found "GOD MODE" already do this? Even puts the defragmenter into the control panel.
Changed problem description.
Changed solution description.
DavidTaraso wrote on November 6, 2008, 5:37pm
Changed problem description.