[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Nvidia has effectively ended support for the existing 'Nvidia Control Panel' used on Windows 11-based PCs.

On May 26, local time, IT media outlet The Verge reported that Nvidia has completed the migration of key functions used by GeForce users through an update to the latest Nvidia App, and has officially retired the existing Control Panel in Game Ready and Studio drivers.

The move is seen as the final stage of a software integration effort Nvidia has pursued for about 2 years. Nvidia previously said it would replace the existing Control Panel with the new Nvidia App in a Windows 11 environment and has migrated major functions in stages. With this update, the company said modernization and integrated migration of commonly used settings functions for GeForce users has been completed.

In an official announcement, Nvidia said, "We have moved all actively supported Control Panel features for GeForce users to the new Nvidia App," adding, "The classic Control Panel, which has been in service for 20 years, officially exits Game Ready and Studio drivers."

The existing Control Panel will not be deleted immediately. Unless a user performs a clean driver installation, the existing app will remain on the PC, and it can also continue to be installed through the Microsoft Store if needed. But Nvidia decided it will no longer provide new features or maintenance updates for the app. It has effectively entered maintenance mode.

With the integration, the Nvidia App has taken on the role of a single management hub for GeForce users. Nvidia has been moving key Control Panel functions to the new app since last year. It has now been set up so that most functions, including driver download and installation, game settings management and changing DLSS modes, can be handled in the Nvidia App alone. Users no longer need to switch among multiple management tools, and can manage graphics settings and drivers in one interface.

The professional product line is an exception. Nvidia said it will maintain support for the existing Control Panel for RTX Pro users until the migration of professional features is completed. Nvidia said, "The Control Panel for RTX Pro will continue to be supported until the professional feature migration is complete." It appears to have chosen a strategy of separating the transition pace between the GeForce line and professional products.

Nvidia also released version 610.47, its latest Game Ready driver. The new driver includes optimization for the new game '007 First Light' and adds support for 'Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight'. In the industry, an assessment has emerged that the announcement clearly shows the direction of reshaping driver distribution, game optimization and graphics settings management around the Nvidia App.

As a result, GeForce users are expected to manage graphics settings and drivers around the Nvidia App rather than the legacy Control Panel going forward. The remaining question is when the migration of features for the RTX Pro line will be completed.