With commit bf18e8f814 the Properties editor can filter categories.
There is versioning code to ensure that any existing areas show all by
default. But newly-created Properties areas start without any. For
example, start with Factory Settings and then change the 3D Viewport to
a Properties editor and it will be blank. I'm assuming this is not
intended behavior so this PR makes new editors start with all tabs
shown.
Pull Request: https://projects.blender.org/blender/blender/pulls/137237