Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update brings a bunch of new features, including a controversial new app. But PCWorld reports that the next major Windows 11 24H2 updates will also remove three iconic apps you currently use: WordPad, Cortana, and Tips.
While each of these are being discontinued, there are some specific details on how Microsoft is implementing the changes. This change will affect Cortana in Windows as a standalone app, but will remain within other applications such as Microsoft Teams Display, Outlook Mobile, Teams Mobile, and Microsoft Teams Rooms. Of course, Microsoft’s push into AI with a full-screen version of Copilot will take Cortana’s place. This update to Copilot treats it more like a true app, not unlike the ChatGPT Mac app that was recently announced.
Meanwhile, the Tips app's content will continue to be updated with information about new Windows features until Microsoft removes it.
However, if it is WordPad, it will no longer receive updates and will eventually be removed. Microsoft is directing users to Microsoft Word and Windows Editor to handle these types of documents.
Microsoft has not yet provided an exact date on when users can expect the app to disappear from their computers once Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 version 24H2 are available.
Even though these apps may not be used by many, it is still a shame to see them go. This is especially true for WordPad, especially since it has been around since Windows 95.
The long list of apps being removed affects administrators, Windows pros, and home users alike. VBScript, for example, is one of the most iconic programming apps on the list. It will later be part of an on-demand feature with the Windows 11 24H2 update and enabled by default. Microsoft will remove this app in the future as well. Microsoft is encouraging users to use options like PowerShell and JavaScript, which it claims are more in line with modern web development.
The upcoming update brings a lot of changes and hardware requirements that are focused on SSE4.2 or Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2. The Windows 11 24H2 update also brings support for Wi-Fi 7, the latest evolution in the 802.11 IEEE wireless networking standard.
