Windows 10 Version 2004: Deprecated/removed features

[German]On May 27, 2020, Microsoft released the function update to Windows 10 Version 2004. In the new version some functions are marked as 'deprecated'. Other functions have been removed.


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Features, whose development has been stopped

On this website, Microsoft lists functions that are classified as deprecated, i.e. which are no longer being developed.

Feature Details and mitigation Announced in version
Companion Device Framework The Companion Device Framework is no longer under active development. 2004
Microsoft Edge The legacy version of Microsoft Edge is no longer being developed. 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 about implementing a remote indirect display driver, ISVs can reach out to rdsdev@microsoft.com. 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 third party 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
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, 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), 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 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. 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.

Removed features

Microsoft lists on this Web page features that were removed in Windows 10 version 2004.

Feature Details and mitigation Removed in version
Cortana Cortana has been updated and enhanced in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. With these changes, some previously available consumer skills such as music, connected home, and other non-Microsoft skills are no longer available. 2004
Windows To Go Windows To Go was announced as deprecated in Windows 10, version 1903 and is removed in this release. 2004
Mobile Plans and Messaging apps Both apps are still supported, but are now distributed in a different way. OEMs can now include these apps in Windows images for cellular enabled devices. The apps are removed for non-cellular devices. 2004
PNRP APIs ​The Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) cloud service was removed in Windows 10, version 1809. We are planning to complete the removal process by removing the corresponding APIs. 1909
Taskbar settings roaming Roaming of taskbar settings is removed in this release. This feature was announced as no longer being developed in Windows 10, version 1903. 1909
Desktop messaging app doesn't offer messages sync The messaging app on Desktop has a sync feature that can be used to sync SMS text messages received from Windows Mobile and keep a copy of them on the Desktop. The sync feature has been removed from all devices. Due to this change, you will only be able to access messages from the device that received the message. 1903
Business Scanning, also called Distributed Scan Management (DSM) We're removing this secure scanning and scanner management capability – there are no devices that support this feature. 1809
FontSmoothing setting in unattend.xml The FontSmoothing setting let you specify the font antialiasing strategy to use across the system. We've changed Windows 10 to use ClearType by default, so we're removing this setting as it is no longer necessary. If you include this setting in the unattend.xml file, it'll be ignored. 1809
Hologram app We've replaced the Hologram app with the Mixed Reality Viewer. If you would like to create 3D word art, you can still do that in Paint 3D and view your art in VR or Hololens with the Mixed Reality Viewer. 1809
limpet.exe We're releasing the limpet.exe tool, used to access TPM for Azure connectivity, as open source. 1809
Phone Companion When you update to Windows 10, version 1809, the Phone Companion app will be removed from your PC. Use the Phone page in the Settings app to sync your mobile phone with your PC. It includes all the Phone Companion features. 1809
Future updates through Windows Embedded Developer Update for Windows Embedded Standard 7-SP1 (WES7-SP1) and Windows Embedded Standard 8 (WES8) We're no longer publishing new updates to the WEDU server. Instead, you may secure any new updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Learn how to get updates from the catalog. 1809
Groove Music Pass We ended the Groove streaming music service and music track sales through the Microsoft Store in 2017. The Groove app is being updated to reflect this change. You can still use Groove Music to play the music on your PC. You can use Spotify or other music services to stream music on Windows 10, or to buy music to own. 1803
People – Suggestions will no longer include unsaved contacts for non-Microsoft accounts Manually save the contact details for people you send mail to or get mail from. 1803
Language control in the Control Panel Use the Settings app to change your language settings. 1803
HomeGroup We are removing HomeGroup but not your ability to share printers, files, and folders.

When you update to Windows 10, version 1803, you won't see HomeGroup in File Explorer, the Control Panel, or Troubleshoot (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot). Any printers, files, and folders that you shared using HomeGroup will continue to be shared.

Instead of using HomeGroup, you can now share printers, files and folders by using features that are built into Windows 10:
Share your network printer
Share files in File Explorer

1803
Connect to suggested open hotspots option in Wi-Fi settings We previously disabled the Connect to suggested open hotspots option and are now removing it from the Wi-Fi settings page. You can manually connect to free wireless hotspots with Network & Internet settings, from the taskbar or Control Panel, or by using Wi-Fi Settings (for mobile devices). 1803
XPS Viewer We're changing the way you get XPS Viewer. In Windows 10, version 1709 and earlier versions, the app is included in the installation image. If you have XPS Viewer and you update to Windows 10, version 1803, there's no action required. You'll still have XPS Viewer.

However, if you install Windows 10, version 1803, on a new device (or as a clean installation), you may need to install XPS Viewer from Apps and Features in the Settings app or through Features on Demand. If you had XPS Viewer in Windows 10, version 1709, but manually removed it before updating, you'll need to manually reinstall it.

1803
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. 1709
Apndatabase.xml For more information about the replacement database, see the following Hardware Dev Center articles:
MO Process to update COSA
COSA FAQ
1709
Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) Use of this feature will be blocked. Consider using Exploit Protection as a replacement. 1709
Outlook Express This legacy application will be removed due to lack of functionality. 1709
Reader app Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge. 1709
Reading List Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge. 1709
Screen saver functionality in Themes This functionality is disabled in Themes, and classified as Removed in this table. Screen saver functionality in Group Policies, Control Panel, and Sysprep continues to be functional. Lock screen features and policies are preferred. 1709
Syskey.exe Removing this nonsecure security feature. We recommend that users use BitLocker instead. For more information, see 4025993 Syskey.exe utility is no longer supported in Windows 10 RS3 and Windows Server 2016 RS3. 1709
TCP Offload Engine Removing this legacy code. This functionality was previously transitioned to the Stack TCP Engine. For more information, see Why Are We Deprecating Network Performance Features? 1709
Tile Data Layer To be replaced by the Tile Store. 1709
Resilient File System (ReFS) (added: August 17, 2017) Creation ability will be available in the following editions only: Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Pro for Workstations. Creation ability will be removed from all other editions. All other editions will have Read and Write ability. 1709
Apps Corner This Windows 10 mobile application is removed in the version 1703 release. 1703
By default, Flash autorun in Edge is turned off. Use the Click-to-Run (C2R) option instead. (This setting can be changed by the user.) 1703
Interactive Service Detection Service See Interactive Services for guidance on how to keep software up to date. 1703
Microsoft Paint This application will not be available for languages that are not on the full localization list. 1703
NPN support in TLS This feature is superseded by Application-Layer Protocol Negotiation (ALPN). 1703
Windows Information Protection "AllowUserDecryption" policy Starting in Windows 10, version 1703, AllowUserDecryption is no longer supported. 1703
WSUS for Windows Mobile Updates are being transitioned to the new Unified Update Platform (UUP) 1703

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