Features Deprecated & Removed from Windows 10 (with Replacement Alternative)
Windows 10 includes many new features and enhancements comparing with previous versions of Windows, but it also deprecates and removes some features which previously existed, and some of the features dropped are popular, and may come as a shock if you upgrade to Windows 10 and suddenly found that your frequently used programs couldn’t be found anymore.
Here’s the list of deprecated features in Windows 10 as published by Microsoft:
Windows Media Center (WMC) – If you have Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro with Media Center, or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center and you install Windows 10, Windows Media Center will be removed.
Alternative: Plenty of media servers available, such as Kodi (previously known as XBMC), Plex, and MediaPortal.
DVD playback – Watching DVDs requires separate playback software, direct consequence of removal of Windows Media Center.
Desktop Gadgets – Windows 7 desktop gadgets will be removed as part of installing Windows 10.
Alternative: Desktop gadgets no longer supported since Windows 8. Live tiles feature offered by modern universal apps is somewhat similar to desktop gadgets though they only appear in Start menu and/or Start screen. Otherwise, try 8gadgetpack or Sidebar.
Ability to stop Windows Update – Windows 10 Home users will have updates from Windows Update automatically available. Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise users will have the ability to defer updates.
Alternative: Defer updates. But with Windows as a Service, it’s recommended to install updates especially security patches.
Classic games – Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts Games that come pre-installed on Windows 7 will be removed as part of installing the Windows 10 upgrade. Microsoft has released our version of Solitaire and Minesweeper called the “Microsoft Solitaire Collection” and “Microsoft Minesweeper.”
Alternative: Microsoft Solitaire Collection (preinstalled with Windows 10) with 5 different Solitaire variations – Klondike, FreeCell, Spider, TriPeaks, and Pyramid, and Microsoft Minesweeper (installed from Windows App Store), plus plenty of clones.
Built-in native driver for USB floppy drive – If you have a USB floppy drive, you will need to download the latest driver from Windows Update or from the manufacturer’s website.
Alternative: Driver is still available from Windows Update or manufacturer’s website.
OneDrive from Windows Live Essentials – If you have Windows Live Essentials installed on your system, the OneDrive application is removed and replaced with the inbox version of OneDrive.
Alternative: OneDrive is not deprecated, in fact, OneDrive desktop app is preinstalled and tightly integrated with Windows 10 (so you need to install OneDrive app separately), and you need some trick to uninstall OneDrive in Windows 10.
Most people can live with the removal of most of the dropped features, who is still using floppy disk anyway? And Microsoft does provide alternative for some deprecated features, such as DVD playback and games. Best of all, many third-party software applications exist as an alternative for these deprecated features.
Clean install and activate Windows 10 is allowed (No Windows 10 product key is issued for Windows 10 upgrade license acquired under the free upgrade program. However, Microsoft records the device’s hardware ID or HWID on its activation server when the device is first upgraded to Windows 10 and activated. On future reinstallation of Windows 10, the device will automatically be granted permanent activation status when the activation server detects its matching hardware ID).
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
