Microsoft Phases Out PowerShell 2.0 in Windows 11 Cleanup

Microsoft has officially announced that the upcoming version of Windows 11 will not include PowerShell 2.0. This scripting environment first appeared with Windows 7 and was subsequently disabled in Windows 10 version 1709 after Microsoft declared it deprecated on August 27, 2017.

The company had previously indicated that PowerShell 2.0 would be phased out, and this has now come to fruition. A recent update to Microsoft’s support documentation, as reported by Windows Latest, has confirmed the removal of PowerShell from Windows 11 builds.

For those enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, the removal means PowerShell 2.0 will no longer be found as an optional feature in OS preview builds. Further details regarding this update are anticipated later this year.

It’s important to note that this adjustment is not expected to impact Windows 10 users, as it will continue to offer PowerShell 2.0 as an optional component unless Microsoft decides to alter its strategy with a future cumulative update.

Despite these changes, most users will experience minimal disruption. Introduced in 2009 as part of Windows 7, PowerShell 2.0 allowed capabilities like remote management and modular code management, which facilitated large-scale automation and systems management. Today, users have access to more advanced and secure versions such as PowerShell 7.

While the transition away from PowerShell 2.0 is aimed at enhancing the overall security of Windows 11, businesses and developers are encouraged to upgrade to PowerShell 5.0 or later to continue leveraging Microsoft’s scripting capabilities.

Streamlining Windows 11

As part of its mission to enhance Windows 11, Microsoft is actively removing outdated and unused components, including PowerShell 2.0. This effort aligns with the company’s broader strategy of refining the operating system.

In addition to PowerShell, Microsoft has recently announced the discontinuation of its native Maps app, which will no longer be available for download if removed from a user’s device. Users can still access mapping services through Bing at Bing.com/maps.

Moreover, Microsoft has removed certain map-related APIs, including the “Location history” API, which previously enabled Cortana to track device locations for up to 24 hours when permission was granted. Given that Cortana’s functionality is largely obsolete, retaining this API within Windows 11 is no longer relevant. A recent system update has consequently eliminated this feature.

Cortana app for Windows 11 — Cortana running in a preview build of Windows | Image Courtesy: Microsoft

Additionally, Windows 11 has lost various features, including WordPad, Suggested Actions, Paint 3D, and support for Adobe Type 1 fonts, alongside the Driver Verifier graphical user interface (verifiergui.exe).

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