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title | description | ms.prod | ms.mktglfcycl | ms.localizationpriority | ms.sitesec | audience | author | ms.author | manager | ms.topic | ms.collection |
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Windows 10 features we're no longer developing | Review the list of features that are no longer being developed in Windows 10 | w10 | plan | medium | library | itpro | greg-lindsay | greglin | dougeby | article | highpri |
Windows 10 features we're no longer developing
Applies to: Windows 10
Each version of Windows 10 adds new features and functionality; occasionally we also remove features and functionality, often because we've added a better option. Below are the details about the features and functionalities that are no longer being developed in Windows 10. For information about features that have been removed, see Features we removed.
For information about features in Windows 11, see Feature deprecations and removals.
The features described below are no longer being actively developed, and might be removed in a future update. Some features have been replaced with other features or functionality and some are now available from other sources.
The following list is subject to change and might not include every affected feature or functionality.
Note
If you have feedback about the proposed replacement of any of these features, you can use the Feedback Hub app.
Feature | Details and mitigation | Announced in version |
---|---|---|
BitLocker To Go Reader | Note: BitLocker to Go as a feature is still supported. Reading of BitLocker-protected removable drives (BitLocker To Go) from Windows XP or Windows Vista in later operating systems is deprecated and might be removed in a future release of Windows 10/11. The following items might not be available in a future release of Windows client: - ADMX policy: Allow access to BitLocker-protected removable data drives from earlier versions of Windows - Command line parameter: manage-bde -DiscoveryVolumeType (-dv) - Catalog file: c:\windows\BitLockerDiscoveryVolumeContents - BitLocker 2 Go Reader app: bitlockertogo.exe and associated files |
21H1 |
Internet Explorer (IE) 11 | The IE11 desktop application will end support for certain operating systems starting June 15, 2022. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11. | 21H1 |
Personalization roaming | Roaming of Personalization settings (including wallpaper, slideshow, accent colors, and lock screen images) is no longer being developed and might be removed in a future release. | 21H1 |
Windows Management Instrumentation Command line (WMIC) tool. | The WMIC tool is deprecated in Windows 10, version 21H1 and the 21H1 General Availability Channel release of Windows Server. This tool is superseded by Windows PowerShell for WMI. Note: This deprecation only applies to the command-line management tool. WMI itself is not affected. | 21H1 |
Timeline | Starting in July 2021, if you have your activity history synced across your devices through your Microsoft account (MSA), you'll no longer have the option to upload new activity in Timeline. See Get help with timeline. | 20H2 |
Microsoft Edge | The legacy version of Microsoft Edge is no longer being developed. | 2004 |
Companion Device Framework | The Companion Device Framework is no longer under active development. | 2004 |
Dynamic Disks | The Dynamic Disks feature is no longer being developed. This feature will be fully replaced by Storage Spaces in a future release. | 2004 |
Language Community tab in Feedback Hub | The Language Community tab will be removed from the Feedback Hub. The standard feedback process: Feedback Hub - Feedback is the recommended way to provide translation feedback. | 1909 |
My People / People in the Shell | My People is no longer being developed. It may be removed in a future update. | 1909 |
Package State Roaming (PSR) | PSR will be removed in a future update. PSR allows non-Microsoft developers to access roaming data on devices, enabling developers of UWP applications to write data to Windows and synchronize it to other instantiations of Windows for that user. The recommended replacement for PSR is Azure App Service. Azure App Service is widely supported, well documented, reliable, and supports cross-platform/cross-ecosystem scenarios such as iOS, Android and web. |
1909 |
XDDM-based remote display driver | Starting with this release, the Remote Desktop Services uses a Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) based Indirect Display Driver (IDD) for a single session remote desktop. The support for Windows 2000 Display Driver Model (XDDM) based remote display drivers will be removed in a future release. Independent Software Vendors that use an XDDM-based remote display driver should plan a migration to the WDDM driver model. For more information on implementing remote display indirect display driver, check out Updates for IddCx versions 1.4 and later. | 1903 |
Taskbar settings roaming | Roaming of taskbar settings is no longer being developed and we plan to remove this capability in a future release. | 1903 |
Wi-Fi WEP and TKIP | Since the 1903 release, a warning message has appeared when connecting to Wi-Fi networks secured with WEP or TKIP (which are not as secure as those using WPA2 or WPA3). In a future release, any connection to a Wi-Fi network using these old ciphers will be disallowed. Wi-Fi routers should be updated to use AES ciphers, available with WPA2 or WPA3. | 1903 |
Windows To Go | Windows To Go is no longer being developed. The feature does not support feature updates and therefore does not enable you to stay current. It also requires a specific type of USB that is no longer supported by many OEMs. |
1903 |
Print 3D app | Going forward, 3D Builder is the recommended 3D printing app. To 3D print objects on new Windows devices, customers must first install 3D Builder from the Store. | 1903 |
Companion device dynamic lock APIS | The companion device framework (CDF) APIs enable wearables and other devices to unlock a PC. In Windows 10, version 1709, we introduced Dynamic Lock, including an inbox method using Bluetooth to detect whether a user is present and lock or unlock the PC. Because of this, and because non-Microsoft partners didn't adopt the CDF method, we're no longer developing CDF Dynamic Lock APIs. | 1809 |
OneSync service | The OneSync service synchronizes data for the Mail, Calendar, and People apps. We've added a sync engine to the Outlook app that provides the same synchronization. | 1809 |
Snipping Tool | The Snipping Tool is an application included in Windows 10 that is used to capture screenshots, either the full screen or a smaller, custom "snip" of the screen. In Windows 10, version 1809, we're introducing a new universal app, Snip & Sketch, that provides the same screen snipping abilities, as well as additional features. You can launch Snip & Sketch directly and start a snip from there, or just press WIN + Shift + S. Snip & Sketch can also be launched from the “Screen snip” button in the Action Center. We're no longer developing the Snipping Tool as a separate app but are instead consolidating its functionality into Snip & Sketch. | 1809 |
Software Restriction Policies in Group Policy | Instead of using the Software Restriction Policies through Group Policy, you can use AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to control which apps users can access and what code can run in the kernel. | 1803 |
Offline symbol packages (Debug symbol MSIs) | We're no longer making the symbol packages available as a downloadable MSI. Instead, the Microsoft Symbol Server is moving to be an Azure-based symbol store. If you need the Windows symbols, connect to the Microsoft Symbol Server to cache your symbols locally or use a manifest file with SymChk.exe on a computer with internet access. | 1803 |
Windows Help Viewer (WinHlp32.exe) | All Windows help information is available online. The Windows Help Viewer is no longer supported in Windows 10. If for any reason you see an error message about "help not supported," possibly when using a non-Microsoft application, read this support article for additional information and any next steps. | 1803 |
MBAE service metadata | The MBAE app experience is replaced by an MO UWP app. For more information, see Developer guide for creating service metadata | 1803 |
Contacts feature in File Explorer | We're no longer developing the Contacts feature or the corresponding Windows Contacts API. Instead, you can use the People app in Windows 10 to maintain your contacts. | 1803 |
Phone Companion | Use the Phone page in the Settings app. In Windows 10, version 1709, we added the new Phone page to help you sync your mobile phone with your PC. It includes all the Phone Companion features. | 1803 |
IPv4/6 Transition Technologies (6to4, ISATAP, Teredo, and Direct Tunnels) | 6to4 has been disabled by default since Windows 10, version 1607 (the Anniversary Update), ISATAP has been disabled by default since Windows 10, version 1703 (the Creators Update), Teredo has been disabled since Windows 10, version 1803, and Direct Tunnels has always been disabled by default. Please use native IPv6 support instead. | 1803 |
Layered Service Providers | Layered Service Providers has not been developed since Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Use the Windows Filtering Platform instead. When you upgrade from an older version of Windows, any layered service providers you're using aren't migrated; you'll need to re-install them after upgrading. | 1803 |
Business Scanning | This feature is also called Distributed Scan Management (DSM) (Added 05/03/2018) The Scan Management functionality was introduced in Windows 7 and enabled secure scanning and the management of scanners in an enterprise. We're no longer investing in this feature, and there are no devices available that support it. |
1803 |
IIS 6 Management Compatibility* | We recommend that users use alternative scripting tools and a newer management console. | 1709 |
IIS Digest Authentication | We recommend that users use alternative authentication methods. | 1709 |
RSA/AES Encryption for IIS | We recommend that users use CNG encryption provider. | 1709 |
Screen saver functionality in Themes | Disabled in Themes. Screen saver functionality in Group Policies, Control Panel, and Sysprep continues to be functional. Lock screen features and policies are preferred. | 1709 |
Sync your settings (updated: August 17, 2017) | Back-end changes: In future releases, the back-end storage for the current sync process will change. A single cloud storage system will be used for Enterprise State Roaming and all other users. The Sync your settings options and the Enterprise State Roaming feature will continue to work. | 1709 |
System Image Backup (SIB) Solution | We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors. | 1709 |
TLS RC4 Ciphers | To be disabled by default. For more information, see the following Windows IT Center topic: TLS (Schannel SSP) changes in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 | 1709 |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Owner Password Management | This functionality within TPM.msc will be migrated to a new user interface. | 1709 |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM): TPM.msc and TPM Remote Management | To be replaced by a new user interface in a future release. | 1709 |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Remote Management | This functionality within TPM.msc will be migrated to a new user interface. | 1709 |
Windows Hello for Business deployment that uses Microsoft Endpoint Manager | Windows Server 2016 Active Directory Federation Services – Registration Authority (ADFS RA) deployment is simpler and provides a better user experience and a more deterministic certificate enrollment experience. | 1709 |
Windows PowerShell 2.0 | Applications and components should be migrated to PowerShell 5.0+. | 1709 |
Apndatabase.xml | Apndatabase.xml is being replaced by the COSA database. Therefore, some constructs will no longer function. This includes Hardware ID, incoming SMS messaging rules in mobile apps, a list of privileged apps in mobile apps, autoconnect order, APN parser, and CDMAProvider ID. | 1703 |
Tile Data Layer | The Tile Data Layer database stopped development in Windows 10, version 1703. | 1703 |
TLS DHE_DSS ciphers DisabledByDefault | TLS RC4 Ciphers will be disabled by default in this release. | 1703 |
TCPChimney | TCP Chimney Offload is no longer being developed. See Performance Tuning Network Adapters. | 1703 |
IPsec Task Offload | IPsec Task Offload versions 1 and 2 are no longer being developed and should not be used. | 1703 |
wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:####### /quiet | The wusa usage to quietly uninstall an update has been deprecated. The uninstall command with /quiet switch fails with event ID 8 in the Setup event log. Uninstalling updates quietly could be a security risk because malicious software could quietly uninstall an update in the background without user intervention. | 1507 Applies to Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 as well. |