Windows 10: Settings UI is ugly / CU update feedback

I don't mind Microsoft replacing Control Panel and such with something better and more efficient. But The Settings phone like UI is so f.. ugly. What's even worse, is that MS just removed Control Panel from Win+X shortcuts, and replaced Programs and Feature with Apps and Features, which is extremely inefficient. System info window is also replaced with another inefficient About window, which I find pretty stupid.

I predict that the next major update will get rid of File Explorer, and replace it with metro like UI, removing most of the features.

:)

 

WHY IS WP7/8 UI SO BLEEPING UGLY?

I'd like to share my opinion on WP8.1 UI.

I like it, but still think it could be better.

When comparing my Lumia 820 with newest Samsungs and LGs, I cannot but think that my phone's screen is somehow 'squeezed' horizontally, while the Androids have beautiful wide spaceous layouts.

Thinking of it, I came to the conclusion that the wallpaper is to blame. On Windows Phone, the wallpaper only shows through transparent tiles, while on Android it covers the whole screen, with tiles hovering in front of it. Thick black lines between live
tiles on WP don't help. The UI would look much better, IMO, with a semi-transparent grid and wallpaper covering the whole display area.

Furthermore, what's the point of having a color display when the icon design guidelines ask for monochromatic icons?

I'd like to have a choice regarding the shape of live tiles - slightly rounded corners would improve the looks significantly, I think.

And finally, let's discuss the monochromatic icon backgrounds. I think subtle gradients would do miracles here. Imagine quality ceramic tiles, for example. Even when they are single color, that color is perceived differently, depending on ambient light,
angle and reflection. Even though modern design trends are against gradients, I tend to disagree. Smart and subtle (emphasis on subtle) gradients, maybe even changing depending on the orientation of the phone, could also improve the looks of the icons.

I love my Lumia and will continue to use and advocate it. But I'm expecting to see 'something beautiful come my way' with the new versions of WP.

Just my 2 cents.

 

WHY IS WP7/8 UI SO BLEEPING UGLY?

It's personal preference, I like the design myself, I don't see many people complaining about it either. Marketshare is growing, but WP is competing against established giants, it's not going to do an about face overnight.

 

Hello dimar, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

If you like, you can restore the Control Panel versions of those item in the Win+X menu.

Show Control Panel or Settings on Win+X Menu in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

Open Network Connections from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

Open Power Options from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

Open Programs and Features from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

Open System from Win+X to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

 

If you open Apps and Features look at top right and there is a link to Programs and Features. After Program and Features is open look at top left and there is a link to Control Panel.

Open Control Panel in Windows 10 - Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials

It all still there, just hidden.

Jim *Cool

 

It's true, but don't you find it weird that you have to go through phone like settings to get into normal settings? It just doesn't make sense to me..

 

Brink, thanks for all the links. Lot of reading and learning in my future.

I am just poking around on this new version.

Two systems updated and one to go. But it will have to wait until next week. I will be at the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans all weekend. *Dinesh

http://fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/pics.html

Jim *Party

 

Any way to make Control Panel like a retractable menu like in Classic Shell from Win+X power user menu?

 

When the explorer shell (what we know as "the desktop interface") has been completely deprecated (and it will be), then a phone-like UI won't be weird.
*Sad

 

I rarely use the Settings UI.

 

If you like, you could use an expandable All Tasks Control Panel toolbar on the taskbar. The tutorial below is for Windows 8, but will work in Windows 10 as well. You may need to remove some of the shortcuts that no longer work in W10.

Control Panel All Tasks Toolbar - Create in Windows 8

 

They're workin on it, and yes, it's pretty much featureless and useless!!!

Create File Explorer UWP app Shortcut in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

 

Along with Win32 API. I'll be officially an old man then *Shock
Thank the multiverse for Classic Shell !!!

 

I've installed the new so-called Creator's Update on a total of eight PCs. Two of these now have grey logon & shutdown backgrounds. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm on build 15063.13. All of these machines are running fully licensed Enterprise x64 version which i had to downgrade to Pro for the CU and then upgrade back to Enterprise when finished.

 

Might be software/driver conflict, or hardware failure like RAM or HDD/SSD. Maybe run Memtest and CrystalDiskInfo