Windows 11 : The 5 Features Microsoft Killed in 2023

December 27, 2023

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Microsoft regularly updates Windows 11 with new features that allow users to get the most out of their computers. However, the tech behemoth has also eliminated some existing ones. Here’s a quick look at five Windows 11 features that Microsoft will discontinue in 2023.

WordPad

WordPad, which debuted with Windows 95 in 1995, is a rich text editor that has seen numerous updates over the years. However, the app was last updated for Windows 8, and Microsoft has ignored it since then.

In September of this year, the tech giant announced that “WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows,” and that users would have to migrate to Word for rich text documents such as.rtf and.doc.

While the company hasn’t said when the app will be removed, it will most likely be discontinued in late 2024, when Microsoft is expected to release the next version of Windows.

Calendar and e-mail

Microsoft has gradually phased out the Mail and Calendar apps in favor of the new Outlook app. While these apps are currently functional, they display a pop-up warning instructing users to use the Outlook client instead.

According to Microsoft, Windows 11 devices shipping in 2024 will include the new Outlook for Windows as the default mail app, but those who do not wish to migrate can continue to use the Windows Mail and Calendar apps from the Microsoft Store until the end of 2024.

Windows Hints

Many people use the Windows Tips app to learn about new Windows features. However, last month, Microsoft announced that the ‘Tips’ app would be removed in a future version of Windows 11.

While the app was never particularly popular in the first place, it did provide a convenient way to learn about the latest Windows features. Microsoft says it will be replaced by the ‘Get Help’ app, which allows you to quickly look up information and even contact a support representative if you run into trouble.

Speech Recognition in Windows

Microsoft has announced that the Speech Recognition tool, which was introduced in Windows Vista in 2006, is no longer supported. It will soon be replaced by Windows 11’s already available ‘Voice Access’ feature, which the company claims is more accurate.

Because the Voice Access app is currently unavailable on Windows 10, Microsoft may allow users to continue using the Speech Recognition tool or port it to the older operating system in the future.

Cortana

Microsoft announced earlier this year in June that it is discontinuing its Halo-inspired voice assistant, Cortana. Originally released in 2014 for Windows Phone 8.1, the digital voice assistant was quickly ported to Windows 10 and appeared in apps such as Microsoft Office.

However, with Windows 11, Microsoft decided to remove Cortana from the taskbar and instead make it available as a standalone app. Cortana now exists only in our memories and on Outlook mobile.