This is EVERYTHING Microsoft killed in 2024 — from handy apps to failed devices

As a seasoned researcher who has seen the rise and fall of countless tech giants, I must say that 2024 was another year of significant changes for Microsoft. The tech giant seems to be trimming the fat from its portfolio, which is both exciting and disheartening at the same time.

The end of Surface Duo 2 marks the exit of Microsoft from the smartphone market (at least for now), and the demise of Surface Studio 2+ leaves a void in the all-in-one desktop PC segment. The deprecation of Windows Mixed Reality and HoloLens 2 signals a shift away from mixed reality, which was once a promising field, leaving me to wonder if Microsoft will ever return to it.

The removal of Paint 3D and Suggested Actions in Windows 11 is a bit like losing old friends – they were handy features, but their absence will force us to adapt. The rebranding of Microsoft Start back to MSN feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The deprecation of Test Base for Microsoft 365, legacy DRM services, and Adobe PostScript Type1 fonts might not be as noticeable to the average user, but they are crucial components in the tech infrastructure that keep our digital world spinning.

All in all, it seems that Microsoft is streamlining its offerings, focusing on core products, and shedding the excess. It’s a bit like spring cleaning for a tech giant – messy, but necessary.

And as for a joke to lighten the mood, here it goes: They say time flies when you’re having fun, but I guess for Microsoft, it flies when you’re deprecating features!

As we approach the year’s end, it’s customary for me, as an analyst, to take a retrospective look at the Microsoft-created products that are either no longer in production or set to phase out soon. In the grand scheme of things, 2024 was no exception to this pattern. The tech giant continues to streamline its offerings by deprecating certain apps, services, brands, and devices.

As a tech enthusiast who has been closely following Microsoft’s product lineup for years, I must say that it’s always bittersweet when they announce end-of-life dates for some of their devices. On one hand, it means that newer and better products are on the horizon, but on the other hand, I have fond memories of using some of these discontinued gadgets. For instance, I still remember the unique dual-screen experience offered by the Surface Duo 2, and the HoloLens 2 was truly a game-changer in augmented reality technology.

However, as a practical person, I understand that technology moves fast and companies have to keep innovating to stay competitive. Microsoft’s decision to discontinue support for Windows 11’s Suggested Actions feature may not be a big loss for most users, but it does highlight the company’s focus on developing more intuitive and user-friendly software.

All in all, I am looking forward to seeing what Microsoft has in store for us in the coming years, and I will continue to keep an open mind as they announce new products and updates. But, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the devices that won’t be around in 2025.

Surface Duo 2

In 2023, Microsoft discontinued support for their second dual-screen Android phone, the Surface Duo 2, which they released in 2021. The entire Surface line was reduced after Microsoft made adjustments to their Surface portfolio, making it likely that the Surface Duo 2 will be the final model. With this move, Microsoft no longer offers any smartphones on the market.

Surface Studio 2+

Microsoft has ceased manufacturing the Surface Studio 2+, their top-tier all-in-one desktop computer that was initially introduced in 2016. Despite occasional updates, these were typically equipped with older generation hardware specifications. Since a new model is not forthcoming and the global stock of Surface Studio 2+ has been depleted, it appears that the Surface Studio series has taken a temporary hiatus for now.

Windows Mixed Reality

Microsoft announced earlier this year that they would be phasing out Windows Mixed Reality in 2024, and with the release of Windows 11 version 24H2, this action was carried out. As a result, numerous Mixed Reality headsets are now obsolete. The Windows Mixed Reality portal, along with the Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, have been eliminated from Windows 11.

HoloLens 2

This year marks the discontinuation of Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, their dedicated Mixed Reality headset. In October, the company announced they had ceased production on the HoloLens 2, and with no immediate successor in sight, it appears that Microsoft’s line of Augmented Reality headsets has come to an end. Although Microsoft will continue to provide security and bug fix updates for the HoloLens 2 until 2028, it seems they are planning to exit the Mixed Reality market.

Paint 3D

Initially, 3D Paint was expected to overtake the traditional Windows Paint application. However, an unexpected twist led to the opposite outcome. Instead, Microsoft has redirected its attention towards enhancing the classic Paint, providing it with a revamped interface, advanced features, and AI functionalities. Conversely, 3D Paint is no longer accessible for download as it has been discontinued by Microsoft.

Suggested Actions

2024 addition might be late, but Microsoft has disclosed that they will be phasing out the helpful Suggested Actions feature from Windows 11. This small context menu, which pops up whenever you copy a date or phone number, offers quick actions like creating an event or making a call. While it was useful, it’ll be disappearing soon.

Mail & Calendar

In 2024, Microsoft will discontinue the built-in Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Throughout the year, they have been transitioning users to the new Outlook for Windows app. As of the end of this year, the Mail & Calendar apps will no longer function, meaning they will no longer be able to send or receive emails. From January 1 onwards, users will need to use the new Outlook app instead.

Microsoft Start

This year, Microsoft revealed that it was phasing out the Microsoft Start logo and instead reverting to the traditional MSN brand for its online news aggregation service. Consequently, the Microsoft Start website, along with MSN content visible in Microsoft Edge, Windows 11 Widgets, and the Start apps on iOS and Android, have all been rebranded once more as MSN.

Other removed and deprecated features

Microsoft killed even more apps, services, APIs, and more in 2024. Here’s the rest:

Test Base for Microsoft 365, an Azure cloud service for application testing, is deprecated.
Support for certificates using RSA keys with key lengths shorter than 2048 bits will be deprecated.
All versions of NTLM, including LANMAN, NTLMv1, and NTLMv2, are no longer under active feature development and are deprecated.
DirectAccess is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows.
Adobe PostScript Type1 fonts are deprecated and support will be removed in a future release of Windows.
Legacy DRM services, used by either Windows Media Player, Silverlight clients, Windows 7, or Windows 8 clients are deprecated.

This year, Microsoft significantly reduced its hardware offerings, including eliminating its entire Windows Mixed Reality platform and augmented reality device. Given Apple and Google’s increasing focus on the future of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), it’s surprising to observe Microsoft distancing itself from this sector, particularly since they were among the pioneers in this market.

2024-12-30 18:39