As Microsoft develops Windows Platform, new features are added, and old features are removed. It happens with every version of Windows. Microsoft maintains a list of such featured which are removed and deprecated in Windows 10 2004. Some features are available, but they are not actively developed and may be removed in future updates. On the other hand, some features have been replaced by new features and functions. In this post, we will share the list of features removed and deprecated in Windows 10 2004.
Features removed or deprecated in Windows 10 2004
While Microsoft supports most of the functions for a long time, but even some of the new features may get removed. Windows 10 is heavily tested thanks to the Windows Insider Program. While many features are offered a better replacement, but if a feature has a better option, then it’s replaced. The list is more important for software developers. They need to make sure to switch to new features and update to make sure it works when the Feature Update is rolled out.
Windows 10 removed features
| Feature | Details and mitigation |
|---|---|
| Cortana | Cortana has been updated and enhanced in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, which are removed some skills like music, connected home, etc. |
| Windows To Go | Windows To Go was announced as deprecated in Windows 10, version 1903, and is removed in this release. |
| Mobile Plans and Messaging apps | Both apps are still supported but are now distributed differently. OEMs can now include these apps in Windows images for cellular-enabled devices. The apps are removed for non-cellular devices. |
Except for Cortana, there has been no major removal of features in Windows 10. Microsoft has de-coupled Cortana finally for Windows 10. It makes more sense because of a couple of reasons. Cortana wasn’t doing well because of its limited functionality, and second, it wasn’t an option. We have always looked at ways to disable Cortana as it added bad taste for Windows Search users.
Similarly, Windows to Go is finally gone though it was one of the useful features. The significant shortcomings were that it was not possible to update compromising security, and it also needed a specific type of USB, which OEMs do not support anymore.
The Connect app for wireless projection using Miracast is no longer installed by default, but is available as an optional feature. To install the app, click on Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add a feature and then install the Wireless Display app.
Windows 10 features no longer in development
| Feature | Details and mitigation |
|---|---|
| Companion Device Framework | The Companion Device Framework is no longer under active development. |
| Microsoft Edge | The legacy version of Microsoft Edge is no longer being developed. |
| Dynamic Disks | The Dynamic Disks feature is no longer being developed. Storage Spaces will fully replace this feature in a future release. |
Talking about Edge, the Edge Legacy is still there, and I am sure it will be there for a long time. Some Enterprises depend on it, and until all the features are ported through to the new Edge or Business switch, Microsoft will keep supporting it.
Then comes the Dynamic Disks feature. Compared to Storage Spaces, it offers almost the same functionality, but there were some missing factors. One of the major ones was no support for BitLocker. On top of this, Storage Space allows you to allocate more space than what is physically available. When you are out of physical storage space, you can add more drives of equal size, and grow your pool. That’s one more place where the Dynamic Disks Failed. It was limited to the physical storage space. If you run out of storage space on the hard drive, you cannot expand any further.
Microsoft did the same with the earlier version, i.e., v1909, and does it with every feature update. If you are a developer, always keep an eye on the Windows Insider Program, which may give you a hint of what might change in feature updates.
