Discontinued Features in Windows 11: A Comprehensive Guide

Windows 11 has brought about a significant overhaul to the operating system, introducing several new features while discontinuing others. This guide will explore the major changes, particularly the features that have been discontinued, and explain why they were removed.

Discontinued Apps

Windows 11 no longer bundles some of its traditional apps with the operating system. Here are the discontinued apps:

3D Viewer: A tool for creating, editing, and viewing 3D models. Internet Explorer: The default web browser of Windows, replaced by Microsoft Edge. OneNote for Windows: A digital notebook and workspace created by Microsoft, similar to Notepad. Paint 3D: An app for creating and editing 3D models, similarly replaced by other software. Skype: A video conferencing tool, now replaced by Microsoft Teams. Wallet: A digital wallet app for storing and managing payment methods. Xbox Console Companion: A feature for managing Xbox consoles from a PC.

Discontinued Shell Features

Several core shell features have been removed or altered in Windows 11:

Lock Screens Quick Status

The quick status feature on the lock screen has been removed, making it a bit less convenient for users to access certain information without unlocking the device.

Tablet Mode

Tablet mode, which allowed users to switch the UI for using the computer as a tablet, has been entirely removed from the operating system.

Timeline Feature in Task View

The Timeline feature in Task View has been discontinued, which was used for quickly accessing previous windows and documents.

Save Search Option in File Explorer

The Save Search feature in File Explorer, which allowed users to save search queries, has also been removed.

Touch Keyboard Docking

The touch keyboard will no longer dock on screens larger than 18 inches, making it less convenient for users with larger displays.

Changes to Desktop Wallpaper and Folder Thumbnails

Several changes have been made to how the desktop and folder thumbnails are handled:

Desktop Wallpaper Synchronization

Windows no longer synchronizes desktop wallpapers across devices with a Microsoft account.

Folder Thumbnails

Previously, a small preview of images or videos could be shown on folder thumbnails, but with Windows 11, this feature has been discontinued, and all folders containing images or videos will display a generic folder icon instead. This change was later partially reverted in February 2022 insider builds.

Removed or Altered Features in the Start Menu

Some functionalities from the Start menu have been removed and replaced with others:

Folders and Groups

Folders and groups in the Start menu were reinstated in February 2022 insider builds, giving back some of the user interface elements removed in the initial release.

Live Tiles in Widgets Panel

Live tiles in the Widgets panel now provide portions of what the live tiles of Windows 10's bundled apps once provided.

Recent and Pinned Files on Pinned Apps

Recent and pinned files on pinned apps have been removed.

Changes to the Taskbar

The taskbar in Windows 11 has several notable changes:

Taskbar Features No Longer Available

Support for bringing an app into focus by dragging a file to its button (in February 2022 insider builds, this feature was reinstated) Support for moving the taskbar to the top left or right of the screen (later removed) Support for changing the size of the taskbar or its icons (later removed) Support for showing one button for each window on the taskbar (Windows 11 always combines windows of the same app into a group) Support for showing window labels on the taskbar (later removed) The option to show or hide Windows shells tray icons (only third-party icons can be hidden or shown) All settings and shortcuts in the taskbar context menu (only a shortcut to the taskbar settings area of the Settings app is available)

Removed or Altered Taskbar Features

Support for third-party taskbar components (deskbands) are no longer supported The upward swipe gesture for jumplists is no longer available The People button is no longer available The News and Interests panel is no longer available Action Center is split into two separate flyouts The ability to move the system tray from the primary monitor is no longer supported The ability to peek at the desktop by hovering the mouse cursor over the Show Desktop button is no longer available

Conclusion

The discontinuation of certain features in Windows 11 marks a shift in both the user interface and available functionalities. While these changes may initially cause some inconvenience, they also aim to streamline the user experience and integrate new features that better fit the current digital landscape.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Wikipedia reference list for a comprehensive list of features removed in Windows 11.