deprecation Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft tried to kill Paint in Windows for a successor nobody wanted, then killed the successor

Microsoft's Paint has been a popular tool since its launch in Windows 1.0 in 1985, with over 100 million monthly users reported in 2017. Paint 3D was introduced as part of Microsoft's vision for "3D for everyone," featuring tools like 3D Doodle, Brushes for 3D surfaces, Magic Select, and Mixed Reality Viewer. However, it struggled to resonate with users due to a cumbersome interface and a lack of necessity for 3D capabilities, leading to its deprecation in 2024. By 2021, Paint 3D was no longer preinstalled on new Windows 10 devices, and Microsoft shifted focus back to the original Paint, enhancing it with features like background removal and AI-driven tools. Despite its potential, Paint 3D failed to bridge the gap between casual users and professional 3D software, and an open-source approach could be a way to revitalize it.

Winsage

September 12, 2026

Microsoft warns that killing VBScript could break Windows activation for businesses

Microsoft is phasing out VBScript and urging organizations to transition to PowerShell. The Slmgr.vbs tool, used for managing Windows activation, will lose functionality as VBScript is deprecated. Slmgr.vbs allows users to install product keys, activate Windows, and check licensing status. VBScript will soon only be available as a Feature on Demand, requiring manual installation in future updates. PowerShell's OSLicense module offers similar capabilities to Slmgr.vbs for managing activation information. The OSLicense module is available for Windows 11 users after the August 2026 Preview update and will be supported in the next major release of Windows Server. Organizations are advised to review their existing scripts and tools to adapt to this transition.

Winsage

August 23, 2026

Microsoft Edge is ending support for MDAG and WIP in Windows 10

Microsoft has phased out support for Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG), starting with its deprecation for Office applications in November 2023 and for the Edge browser in December 2023. By April 2024, MDAG was removed from Edge and other browser stores, and it was completely eliminated from Windows 11, version 24H2. Microsoft is finalizing the retirement of MDAG by discontinuing support in Edge entirely. The advisory MC1459132 indicates that this phase affects Microsoft Edge users on Windows 10, as Windows Information Protection (WIP) was already phased out in favor of Microsoft Purview in 2022. Organizations using WIP are advised to transition to Microsoft Purview Information Protection, Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Endpoint DLP, and Intune app protection policies. Users of MDAG should utilize Edge's built-in security features and consider other isolation solutions. Support for WIP and MDAG will officially end by September 2026, and functionalities related to them will stop in Microsoft Edge 154 and later versions. IT administrators are encouraged to begin migration activities to avoid disruptions.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Tested: Windows 11 has fully removed the legacy tool abused by cybercriminals for malware and ransomware, called WMIC

Windows 11 will remove the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool in the upcoming September 2026 Update, marking its complete elimination after being deprecated in earlier versions. Testing of early builds shows that WMIC is no longer accessible, with attempts to use it resulting in a "command not recognized" error. Previously, WMIC was available as an optional feature, but it will no longer be included or reactivatable in the new update. Microsoft stated that this removal aims to improve the security and reliability of Windows, as WMIC has been exploited by cybercriminals for attacks. The September 2026 Update will also introduce other enhancements, including the ability to disable Bing in Windows Search and improvements in app speed.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Microsoft removes WMIC tool from Windows 11

Microsoft has removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool from Windows 11 builds 24H2 and 25H2, as well as beta releases, as part of a deprecation process that began several years ago. WMIC was first deprecated in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 10 and was later made a Feature on Demand in Windows 11 22H2 before its complete removal. The tool had been exploited by malware, including ransomware, for harmful actions such as deleting Shadow Volume Copies and querying security software. Microsoft recommends IT administrators use alternatives like PowerShell, WMI's COM API, or .NET libraries for management tasks.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Windows 11 is fully removing a legacy tool that malware and ransomware have abused for years, meet WMIC

Microsoft is removing the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) from Windows 11 to enhance security by eliminating a tool that has been exploited by malware and ransomware. WMIC will not be included in Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, with complete removal scheduled for the August 2026 Patch Tuesday update. The decision to remove WMIC is based on the availability of more secure alternatives like PowerShell. WMIC has been a vector for attacks, allowing threat actors to disable antivirus solutions and access sensitive data. Microsoft has phased out WMIC since 2021, encouraging users to transition to modern tools while continuing to support the underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) infrastructure.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Microsoft is removing a legacy Windows feature that has been around for 25 years

WMIC, a utility for IT administrators introduced in Windows XP in 2001, will be removed from Windows 11 after August 2026. It has been deprecated since 2016 and was previously removed from Windows 10 in 2021. Although it remained available as a Feature on Demand, it was disabled by default in new installations. Recent Preview builds for Windows 11 confirmed that WMIC will not be included in version 26H2. PowerShell is suggested as a prominent replacement for WMIC tasks.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

Microsoft nerfs OneNote for the web while retaining existing feature in Windows version

In May 2024, Microsoft integrated Loop components into its OneNote app across multiple platforms, allowing users to create shareable and editable content. However, Microsoft announced that support for Loop components in OneNote for the web will be discontinued by mid-September 2024, meaning users will not be able to insert new Loop components after this date. Existing Loop components will be converted into links directing users to their corresponding Loop pages. OneNote for Windows will retain full support for Loop components. IT administrators are responsible for informing users about this change and encouraging a switch to the Windows version of OneNote.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Moving the Microsoft Edge extensions ecosystem forward with Manifest Version 3

In 2020, Microsoft committed to Manifest Version 3 (MV3) for the Chromium extensions platform. As of now, 95% of the top MV2 extensions have transitioned to MV3 in the Edge Add-ons store. Starting in August 2026, Microsoft Edge will begin transitioning consumers away from MV2 extensions, aiming to complete this by the end of 2026, with enterprise deprecation expected in early 2027. Currently, only 58 MV2-based extensions show meaningful usage, and three of these lack an MV3 version. Notifications will be sent to users and developers regarding the transition, and MV2 extensions will gradually be disabled by default. Developers are encouraged to finalize their transition to MV3 and submit updates via Microsoft Partner Center.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft Releases July 2026 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft has released the July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, introducing several key features: - A new recovery feature allows users to revert their PCs to a recent restore point. - The Widgets experience has been revamped to minimize distractions, including no longer opening upon hover and reduced memory usage. - Users can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days and re-pause them as needed. - A new screen tint feature applies a color overlay to reduce eye strain. - Magnifier now offers preset zoom increments and allows specific zoom percentages to be input. - Bluetooth connectivity improvements include quicker pairing for Apple’s AirPods and better reliability for Beats Studio Pro headphones. - Voice access and voice typing features are now available in French, German, and Spanish. - Users can customize the right-click zone size on touchpads with a pressable surface. - The emoji panel now uses GIPHY for GIF content. - Taskbar notification counts and badge visuals will update accurately. For Qualcomm-powered PCs running Windows 11 version 26H1, the KB5101649 update includes the Point-in-time restore feature and introduces new NPU usage metrics in Task Manager, the option to assign a custom user folder name during setup, and allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously. Improvements have also been made to Windows Hello authentication and Microsoft Store performance, along with enhancements to Windows Search for better file location and prioritization.