Goodbye Outlook Express, farewell Paint, Au Revoir screensavers - What Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is killing
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The next version of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is going to bring a number of major changes, which we have already discussed at length.
It will however also bring a number of changes to less used or noticed features, doing some “spring” cleaning and removing outdated or underused features.
Removing these underused features helps make Windows easier to maintain, reduces the number of potential security issues, and allows for the development of new features.
At the same time, it also increases the risk of old applications failing and of upsetting some users who are have become accustomed to the availability of these features.
Microsoft has posted a list of apps and features which are being deprecated (ie not in active development and which may be removed in future releases) or actually being removed in the Fall Creators Update.
Some of the features I suspect most of our readers have never heard of (e.g. TCP Offload engine) and others may worry old time Windows users.
The main feature that stands out to me, and which is being deprecated and therefore a risk of removal is the Paint app, which I used multiple times per day to resize, crop and label images. It remains much faster than a full image editor, and its absence will be missed.
Microsoft is also looking to remove screen saver support. It is being removed from themes, and will eventually be removed from the Control Panel and Group Policy support. This is likely because the company has other uses for the Lock Screen rather than showing flying toasters.
Some items appear to be set for removal before a replacement is ready, such as Reading List and Sync your settings, but I suspect hardly anyone use those features in any case.
Microsoft posted the list to help users make early plans to adapt to the changes. The list is still subject to change (for those who want to fight for Paint 😉 ) but can be seen in full below.
Removed and deprecated features
| Feature |
Removed |
Deprecated |
| 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. |
X |
|
| Apndatabase.xml
For more information about the replacement database, see the following Hardware Dev Center articles: |
X |
|
| Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)
Use will be blocked. Consider using the Exploit Protection feature of Windows Defender Exploit Guard as a replacement. |
X |
|
| IIS 6 Management Compatibility
We recommend that users use alternative scripting tools and a newer management console. |
|
X |
| IIS Digest Authentication
We recommend that users use alternative authentication methods. |
|
X |
| Microsoft Paint |
|
X |
| Outlook Express
Removing this non-functional legacy code. |
X |
|
| Reader app
Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge. |
X |
|
| Reading List
Functionality to be integrated into Microsoft Edge. |
X |
|
| RSA/AES Encryption for IIS
We recommend that users use CNG encryption provider. |
|
X |
| Sync Your Settings
Back-end changes: The current sync process is being deprecated. In a future release, the same cloud storage system for syncing settings will be used for both Enterprise State Roaming users and all other users. (Currently, these users use different cloud storage systems.) |
X |
|
| Screen saver functionality in Themes
To be disabled in Themes (classified as “Removed” in this table). Screen saver functionality in Group Policies, Control Panel, and Sysprep is now deprecated but continues to be functional. Lockscreen features and policies are preferred. |
X |
X |
| Syskey.exe
Removing this nonsecure security feature. We recommend that users use BitLocker instead. For more information, see the following Knowledge Base article: 4025993 Syskey.exe utility is no longer supported in Windows 10 RS3 and Windows Server 2016 RS3 |
X |
|
| System Image Backup (SIB) Solution
We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors. |
X |
|
| TCP Offload Engine
Removing this legacy code. This functionality was previously transitioned to the Stack TCP Engine. For more information, see the following PFE Platform Blog article: Why Are We Deprecating Network Performance Features (KB4014193)? |
X |
|
| Tile Data Layer
To be replaced by the Tile Store. |
X |
|
| 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 |
X |
|
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Owner PasswordManagement
This legacy code to be removed. |
X |
|
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM): TPM.msc and TPM Remote Management
To be replaced by a new user interface in a future release. |
X |
|
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Remote Management
This legacy code to be removed in a future release. |
X |
|
| Windows Hello for Business deployment that uses System Center 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. |
X |
|
| Windows PowerShell 2.0
Applications and components should be migrated to PowerShell 5.0+. |
X |
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