Windows 10: What features Microsoft is removing in the new operating system

Microsoft details features gone in Windows 10, including Windows Media Center, DVD playback, USB floppy drive, and more.

Windows 10 free upgrade for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Phone 8.1

On July 29, 2015, Microsoft will officially release Windows 10 for PCs and tablets, and it will let Windows 7 (SP1) and Windows 8.1 Update users upgrade to the next version of the operating system for free. The company recently published a number of specifications about Windows 10, and revealed which edition of the operating system you’ll be getting for free when upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8. The company also explains that Windows 10 will remove a number features found in previous versions of the operating system.

Below, you’ll find a list of feature deprecation in Windows 10:

  • Microsoft is discontinuing Windows Media Center, as such Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro with Media Center, or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center users will see this the feature removed.
  • Windows 10 Home users will have updates from Windows Update automatically available. Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise users will have the ability to defer updates.
  • Watching DVDs requires separate playback software
  • Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be removed as part of installing Windows 10.
  • Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts Games that come pre-installed on Windows 7 will be removed as part of installing the Windows 10 upgrade. However, the Windows Store will offer new versions of Solitaire and Minesweeper called the “Microsoft Solitaire Collection” and “Microsoft Minesweeper.”
  • Windows 10 will no longer offer USB floppy drive driver, you’ll need to download the drivers from Windows Update or from the manufacturer’s website.
  • If you have Windows Live Essentials installed on your system, the OneDrive application is removed and replaced with the inbox version of OneDrive.

Although, many Windows Media Center users will be disappointed, these aren’t essential features, and Microsoft has previously noted that the company will provide another option for DVD playback in Windows 10.

Source Microsoft

About the author

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 15 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 21 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].