In the next version of Windows 10, dubbed Fall Creators Update, Microsoft is incorporating a slew of new changes and features. However, during a new release, it’s also the time where the company evaluates and removes or deprecates features and functionalities that aren’t popular, obsolete, or need to be replaced.
Usually the features that Microsoft removes aren’t significant, but starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you’ll find big features missing, such as 3D Build and Reader app, and while you’ll still be able to use Paint and System Image Backup, these are features no longer being maintained.
In this guide, you’ll find a list of legacy features that are no longer available, or they’re still available, but they’re not actively being developed and might be removed in future releases of Windows 10.
Features removed on the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
- 3D Builder app: No longer installed by default. Consider using Print 3D and Paint 3D in its place. However, 3D Builder is still available for download from the Windows Store.
- Apndatabase.xml
- Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET): Use will be blocked. Consider using the Exploit Protection feature of Windows Defender Exploit Guard as a replacement.
- Outlook Express: Removing this non-functional legacy code.
- Reader app: Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge.
- Reading List: Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge.
- Screen saver functionality in Themes: To be disabled in Themes. Screen saver functionality in Group Policies, Control Panel, and Sysprep is now deprecated but continues to be functional. Lockscreen features and policies are preferred.
- Syskey.exe: Removing this non-secure security feature. Users should use BitLocker instead.
- TCP Offload Engine: Removing this legacy code. This functionality was previously transitioned to the Stack TCP Engine.
- Tile Data Layer: To be replaced by the Tile Store.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Owner Password Management: This legacy code to be removed.
Features deprecated on the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
- IIS 6 Management Compatibility: Users should use alternative scripting tools and a newer management console.
- IIS Digest Authentication: Users should use alternative authentication methods.
- Microsoft Paint: Users will still be able to use the app in version 1709, but it won’t receive any updates. Eventually, Microsoft will remove it from Windows 10, and it’ll make it available again, but through the Windows Store.
- RSA/AES Encryption for IIS: Users should use CNG encryption provider.
- Sync Your Settings: The current sync process is being deprecated. In a future release, the same cloud storage system for syncing settings will be used for both Enterprise State Roaming users and all other users.
- System Image Backup (SIB) Solution: Users should use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors.
- TLS RC4 Ciphers: To be disabled by default.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): TPM.msc and TPM Remote Management: It’ll be replaced by a new user interface in a future release.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Remote Management: This legacy code to be removed in a future release.
- Windows Hello for Business deployment that uses System Center Configuration 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.
- Windows PowerShell 2.0: Applications and components should be migrated to PowerShell 5.0+.
If you’re still using any of these features on Windows 10, you now start planning to stop using them or look for a suitable replacement using a third-party solution.
What do you think about the features Microsoft is removing on Windows 10? Tell us in the comments.
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].