deprecated features Archives

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Learn how the Windows Server 2025 editions differ

Microsoft is set to release Windows Server 2025 in November 2024, featuring several editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure. Windows Server Essentials is limited to servers with a single CPU and fewer than 10 cores and can only be obtained through hardware OEMs. The Standard edition allows Hyper-V licensing for up to two virtual machines, while the Datacenter edition has no such limits and offers more flexibility with disaster recovery features. The Datacenter Azure edition is optimized for the cloud and receives annual updates. The hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 include a minimum 64-bit CPU at 1.4 GHz, support for various instructions, and the ability to accommodate up to 2,048 logical processors. The minimum memory requirement is 512 MB, with 2 GB recommended for optimal performance. Storage requirements suggest at least 64 GB for better performance, especially with Desktop Experience, and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter is necessary for networking. Several features have been deprecated in Windows Server 2025, including Computer Browser, Failover Clustering Cluster Sets, and NTLM, among others. Completely removed features include IIS 6 Management Console, NTLMv1, and Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine. Organizations planning to migrate to Windows Server 2025 must ensure their hardware meets the minimum requirements and can perform an in-place upgrade if currently using Windows Server 2012 R2 or newer. Testing in a lab environment and backing up servers before migration are recommended steps.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

Microsoft removes Windows 11 feature responsible for collecting and storing location data

Microsoft has begun deprecating certain features in Windows 11 in 2025, starting with the Location History feature, which has been used to collect and store location data for users. The Location History feature will be removed from the latest preview build for Dev and Beta insiders, meaning that location data will no longer be saved locally, and the corresponding settings will be removed from the Privacy & Security > Location page in Settings. Other recently deprecated features include Suggested Actions, Paint3D, and Legacy DRM services.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Microsoft explains why it’s deprecating legacy features on Windows 11 like WordPad

Microsoft is evolving Windows 11 by introducing new features and deprecating certain legacy applications and tools, particularly in the Windows 11 24H2 release. The company aims to modernize the operating system and reallocate resources towards new developments. Deprecation serves as a preliminary warning to users rather than an immediate removal of features. Recently, WordPad was announced for deprecation and will be removed with the Windows 11 24H2 release on October 1, 2024, while other applications like Paint 3D have been deprecated but remain available. Deprecated products will still receive support until their official retirement, although they will not undergo active development. Other recently deprecated features include Suggested Actions and legacy DRM services associated with Windows Media Player, with uncertain timelines for their removal.

Winsage

December 14, 2024

Microsoft deprecates Suggested Actions in Windows 11

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Suggested Actions feature in Windows 11, as confirmed in their Deprecated Features list. This feature, which provided contextual suggestions based on copied text, was part of the Windows Insider Dev Channel for less than three years. Despite its intended purpose to enhance user efficiency, it struggled to gain traction and faced complaints regarding its functionality, particularly in recognizing phone numbers and causing unwanted pop-ups. Microsoft is shifting focus towards its Copilot initiative, an AI-driven assistant, while other elements of the Windows 11 interface, like the right-click menu, have been modified without facing similar retirement.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Windows 11’s ‘suggested actions’ feature is headed to the Microsoft Graveyard – but here’s what’s replacing it

Microsoft is retiring the “Suggested Actions” menu from Windows 11, a feature introduced in 2022 to provide quick shortcuts for copying information. This decision is part of Microsoft's efforts to streamline Windows 11 by removing underused features. The removal is speculated to be due to low user engagement. In its place, Microsoft is introducing a new AI-driven tool called “Click to Do,” which will only be available on newer Copilot+ PCs. Users on older devices will not have a replacement for the “Suggested Actions” feature. In 2023, Microsoft has retired a total of 16 features from Windows 11, focusing on outdated or underutilized ones.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

Microsoft kills a handy Windows 11 feature that allowed quick calls or event creation

Microsoft has deprecated the "Suggested actions" feature in Windows 11, which was introduced in May 2022 as part of build 25115. This feature allowed Windows 11 to recognize phone numbers and dates to provide shortcuts for tasks like making calls or scheduling events. Microsoft announced that "Suggested actions" will be removed in a future update, although a specific timeline for this removal is not provided. Other recently deprecated features include Android app support, Paint 3D, Windows Speech Recognition, the Tips app, Steps Recorder, and WordPad.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

Microsoft is killing another handy Windows 11 feature

Microsoft has updated its list of deprecated features in Windows 11, including the removal of the "suggested actions" menu, which provided quick access to actions when copying phone numbers or dates. This feature, introduced in the Windows 11 2022 Update, is being phased out likely due to underutilization. A new feature called Click To Do, powered by AI, will replace it but will only be available on Copilot+ PCs. In 2023, Microsoft removed 16 features from Windows 11, marking the most extensive removal in a single year, while the pace of removals has slowed in 2024.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Download Paint 3D app now before it’s gone from the Microsoft Store

Microsoft will remove the Paint 3D application from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024, and it will no longer receive updates. Users can use Paint or Photos for 2D image editing and 3D Viewer for viewing 3D content. Paint 3D was introduced during the Windows 10 Creators Update but failed to gain widespread consumer interest. Microsoft initially planned for Paint 3D to succeed the classic Paint app but later allowed both to coexist due to consumer feedback. The Remix 3D platform, launched alongside Paint 3D, was discontinued in 2020. Microsoft is now focusing on enhancing the classic Paint app with new features, including generative AI capabilities. Users are advised to download the Paint 3D installer before its removal. Existing installations will remain functional.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

What’s gone from Windows 11 24H2

WordPad has been officially deprecated as of 2023 and will no longer be included in any editions of Windows starting with version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. Users are directed to use Microsoft Word for rich text documents and Notepad for plain text. Windows Mixed Reality has also been discontinued in Windows 11 24H2, with no support or updates after November 2026. Additionally, the AllJoyn framework has been removed from Windows 11 24H2.

Winsage

August 28, 2024

Microsoft isn’t removing the Control Panel from Windows anytime soon

Microsoft clarified that the Control Panel is not being removed imminently, despite reports suggesting otherwise. The Control Panel is being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, with many features transitioning to the new interface. However, the Control Panel remains available and has not been included in Microsoft's list of deprecated features for Windows. Microsoft typically provides advance notice for feature removals.