In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows features, some tools emerge as indispensable parts of our daily workflows, while others fade into obscurity. Microsoft has discreetly phased out several of these lesser-used functionalities over time—some were met with official announcements, while others slipped away with hardly a notice. The decision to retire these features often stems from their underwhelming usage and effectiveness.
1 Live Tiles
Introduced with Windows 8, Live Tiles represented Microsoft’s ambitious vision for a touch-friendly interface by turning the Start menu into an array of dynamic, colorful squares. These app icons functioned as miniature widgets, promising quick insights like emails, weather forecasts, and stock market updates.
However, users quickly discovered that Live Tiles were often more problematic than practical. Many tiles failed to update consistently, yielding sporadic and often irrelevant information. For convenient access to frequently used apps, most preferred simple solutions like pinning applications to the taskbar or creating desktop shortcuts. Consequently, with the transition to Windows 11, Microsoft eliminated Live Tiles, opting for a more streamlined interface with static pinned icons.
2 Timeline
Timeline debuted in Windows 10, allowing users to track recent activities including documents, websites, and applications. A key feature was its cross-device synchronization, enabling users to easily switch between devices while maintaining continuity in their work.
Yet, despite its potential, Timeline fell short for many users. With viable alternatives like browsing histories and cloud storage, the need for Timeline seemed limited. My attempts to use it were often met with frustration due to an overload of irrelevant entries and a lack of support for many applications that I used regularly. By 2021, Microsoft stripped away the cross-device feature, and with the rollout of Windows 11, Timeline was quietly retired.
3 My People
Do you recall the small two-heads icon near the system tray in the taskbar? This was the My People feature, which allowed users to pin up to three contacts for easy access through specific apps.
While the idea had potential, I seldom found it useful. Each time I set up a new Windows installation, disabling My People was one of my first actions; I already had platforms like WhatsApp and Teams for communication. Unfortunately, broader app integration never materialized, leading to its quiet phase-out by 2019, culminating in its absence in Windows 11.
4 Cortana
Cortana initially launched in Windows 10 as a Microsoft answer to voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. It had a promising start, offering capabilities such as reminder setting, app management, and contextual suggestions.
Over the years, however, it became evident that Cortana was struggling to maintain its initial momentum. Many useful features faded away, responsiveness dropped, and simple commands often weren’t executed effectively, leaving it feeling like a limited search tool rather than a robust assistant. Microsoft officially discontinued Cortana in 2023, shifting its focus toward emerging AI products like Windows Copilot.
5 Windows Mixed Reality
Launched in 2017, Windows Mixed Reality aimed to immerse users in virtual and augmented environments, directly competing with platforms like Oculus and HTC Vive. It offered unique experiences with an emphasis on affordability and accessibility.
While it initially seemed to provide a gateway into VR without exorbitant costs, it struggled with low adoption rates and waning developer interest. Ultimately, Microsoft pivoted its mixed reality efforts towards the enterprise sector with the HoloLens. By December 2023, Windows Mixed Reality was phased out, with support for its associated apps ending soon after. This shift left Meta and Valve as the primary players in consumer VR.
6 Tips
The Tips app, included with Windows 10, was designed to assist users in navigating the operating system’s myriad features. However, it did not gain popularity, as most users sought help through search engines or informal exploration.
Recognizing its lack of utility, Microsoft ultimately retired the Tips app with the introduction of Windows 11.
7 Maps
The Maps application was Microsoft’s attempt to integrate navigation capabilities into Windows, offering features like offline access, 3D views, and Cortana support. Yet, for most users, reliance on mobile devices for navigation rendered the desktop application irrelevant.
From Windows 11 version 24H2 onward, the Maps app was no longer included by default. Its deprecation was finalized in April 2025, with a subsequent update in July rendering it non-functional and removing it from the Microsoft Store.
Ultimately, many of these Windows features faded not due to flawed concepts, but because they simply went unused. Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to streamline the user experience reflect an understanding of user needs and preferences. For the majority, these applications will be missed only by those who occasionally engaged with them. If you were one of those users, you might understand the reasons behind their removal.
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