Windows is about to axe these three iconic apps

By Judy Sanhz Published May 24, 2024

A top-down view of the Surface Laptop Go. — Arif Bacchus / Digital Trends

Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update will include many new features, including a controversial new app. But PCWorld reports that the following major Windows 11 24H2 updates will also remove three iconic apps you may currently use: WordPad, Cortana, and Tips.

Although each of these are being discontinued, there are some specific details for how Microsoft is rolling out the changes. This change affects Cortana in Windows as a standalone app, but it will remain within other applications, such as Microsoft Teams Display, Outlook Mobile, Teams Mobile, and Microsoft Teams Rooms. Of course, Microsoft’s push into AI with a full-screen version of Copilot will take the place of Cortana. This update to Copilot treats it more as a proper app, not unlike the ChatGPT Mac app that was recently announced.

Recommended Videos

Meanwhile, the content in the Tips app will continue to update with information concerning new Windows features until Microsoft removes it.

When it comes to WordPad, however, it will no longer receive updates and will eventually be removed. Microsoft points users to Microsoft Word and Windows Editor to handle these types of documents.

Still, so far, Microsoft has not given an exact date when users might expect the app to disappear from their computers when Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 version 24H2 reach their computers.

Even though these apps might not be used by many, it’s still sad to see them go. That’s especially true for WordPad, especially since it’s been around since Windows 95.

The long list of apps that will be removed affects administrators, professional Windows users, and private users alike. For example, VBScript is among the most iconic programming apps on the list. Later, it will be part of an on-demand feature with the Windows 11 24H2 update and enabled by default. Microsoft will also remove this app in the future. Microsoft encourages users to use options such as PowerShell and JavaScript, which it affirms are more in character with modern web development.

The upcoming update will bring many changes and hardware requirements centered around SSE4.2 or Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2. The Windows 11 24H2 update will also bring support for Wi-Fi 7, which is the latest evolution in the 802.11 IEEE standard wireless networking.

Topics

Computing Writer

Judy Sanhz is a Digital Trends computing writer covering all computing news. Loves all operating systems and devices.

Computing

Is Windows 11 acting up for you? This might be why

The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.

This year's big Windows 11 update, 24H2, started a phased rollout in October and just became available to more PCs yesterday, December 4, as spotted by Windows Latest. To check if your PC is ready for it, just head to the settings page and check for updates -- if an update is not there for download yet, you'll have to wait until later in the rollout process.

Getting new things first isn't always a good thing when it comes to software, however. It can take quite a while for a new Windows build to be announced as "stable," and 24H2 is far from earning that title at the moment.

Computing

Microsoft won’t back down on Windows 11’s biggest hurdle

The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.

Microsoft has reaffirmed that it will not lower the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, solidifying the need for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and a compatible CPU. This decision leaves many older PCs ineligible for the upgrade. Microsoft emphasizes that these standards are vital for improved security and performance.

As per a recent blog post titled “TPM 2.0 – a necessity for a secure and future-proof Windows 11,” Microsoft reaffirmed its decision not to relax Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements. TPM 2.0 is a hardware-based security feature that protects sensitive data and ensures secure boot processes. Microsoft argues that such measures are nonnegotiable as the company continues to address rising cybersecurity threats. The minimum requirements include a list of approved CPUs, starting from AMD Ryzen 2000 and Intel 8th Gen processors, that offer advanced security features and better performance efficiency.

Computing

Samsung DeX for Windows is dead

Samsung DeX mode.

Samsung appears to have plans to retire support of its DeX Windows app upon releasing the OneUI 7 software update.

Android Authority recently observed updates on Samsung’s DeX page on its UK website that sais the DeX for Windows feature will be discontinued as of OneUI 7, which will be available in 2025. The company detailed that DeX for Windows users can transition to the Phone Link feature as an alternative.