Microsoft has once again expanded its list of obsolete features in Windows. This time, it’s not familiar apps like WordPad or Maps, but a series of web components dating back to Windows 8 and the first version of Edge.
The company reports that these components will officially be given deprecated status, signaling the beginning of their slow demise. The list includes:
- Legacy Web View
- HTML and JavaScript apps from Windows 8 and 8.1 that later evolved into UWP apps
- The first generation of Progressive Web Apps
- Developer tools from the original Edge browser
All these features are built on EdgeHTML, the engine that powered the classic Edge before it transitioned to the Chromium variant in 2020.
For users, little will change for the time being. Microsoft emphasizes that the components will not be removed from Windows immediately and will continue to receive security updates for now. However, developers should not expect any new features. According to the company’s documentation, these components will eventually cease to receive updates and will be phased out in future versions of Windows.
Chromium-based Progressive Web Apps as an alternative
In light of this transition, Microsoft is directing developers towards alternatives such as WebView2 and modern Chromium-based Progressive Web Apps. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy to phase out outdated technologies that have seen diminished usage, while simultaneously accelerating the shift to more secure and contemporary web standards. For software developers, this indicates a necessary adaptation or migration of their applications to ensure compatibility with upcoming versions of Windows.
This announcement is part of a larger clean-up initiative. Alongside WordPad and Mixed Reality, protocols like NTLMv1 and tools such as WMIC and PowerShell 2.0 have also made the list. With this addition, Microsoft is demonstrating that the clean-up effort extends beyond merely removing nostalgic utilities; it encompasses the gradual elimination of the foundational elements that previously supported web integration within the operating system.
