Deprecated Windows programs, tools, and utilities
Updated: 03/15/2025 by Computer Hope
Since Microsoft introduce Windows 1.0 on November 20, 1985, many programs, tools, and utilities deprecated (killed or removed) for various reasons. Although many of these deprecated programs continue to work after Microsoft announces their end of life, they no longer get updates or are supported by Microsoft. We created this list of deprecated Windows programs, tools, and utilities to help users find what programs are no longer supported and why something may be missing after a Windows update.
Note
This list focuses on deprecated Windows programs and utilities. It doesn't include deprecated Windows drivers, fonts, protocols, services, and settings.
| Program | Replacement (if any) | Year deprecated |
|---|---|---|
| Skype | Microsoft Teams | May 5, 2025 |
| Paint 3D | August 2024 | |
| Problem Steps Recorder | November 2023 | |
| Tips | November 2023 | |
| Speech Recognition tool | Voice access | November 2023 |
| VBScript | October 8, 2023 | |
| WordPad | Microsoft Word | September 1, 2023 |
| Cortana | Copilot | June 2023 |
| MSDT | January 2023 | |
| Internet Explorer | Microsoft Edge | June 15, 2022 |
| Microsoft Silverlight | HTML5 | October 12, 2021 |
| WMIC | May 10, 2021 | |
| Microsoft Edge Legacy | Microsoft Edge | April 13, 2021 |
| Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack | September 2019 | |
| Microsoft Pay | February 28, 2019 | |
| Microsoft Briefcase | 2018 | |
| Groove Music (formerly Xbox Music) | Windows Media Player | January 1, 2018 |
| Windows Essentials | 2017 | |
| Windows Live Mail | 2017 | |
| Windows Movie Maker | 2017 | |
| Windows Journal | OneNote | 2016 |
| Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) | July 15, 2015 | |
| Windows Media Center | 2015 | |
| MSN Messenger | Skype | March 15, 2013 |
| Windows Home Server | January 8, 2013 | |
| Windows DVD Maker | 2012 | |
| Zune software | 2011 | |
| Microsoft Works | Microsoft Word | 2009 |
| NetMeeting | 2007 | |
| HyperTerminal | 2006 | |
| Outlook Express | Windows Mail | 2006 |
| MSN Music | Zune software | 2006 |
| Microsoft Bob | 1996 |