Removed Features in Windows 11 version 24H2

Like almost every new release, Windows 11 24H2 dropped a number of features. So with every Windows 11 release the removal list grows. For Windows 11 24H2, the most notable loss are WordPad, Steps Recorder and WMIC.

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 24H2 to consumers and customers on October 1, 2024. It is now available through Windows Update Services, via ISO files, and Media Creation Tool. It's a major update for the OS, so the update package is huge and performs a full build update. There are plenty of new features that are carefully covered in this linked post.

Besides the huge list of changes, the 24H2 release also includes a ton of deprecated and removed features.

Windows 11 version 24H2 Removed Features

WordPad

WordPad is removed from all editions of Windows starting with Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft insists on using Microsoft Word instead of WordPad for RTF, and Notepad for plain TXT files. You can restore the classic WordPad back in Windows 11 24H2 by following this guide.

Mixed Reality

Windows Mixed Reality is set to be removed in Windows 11, version 24H2. This includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and Steam VR Beta. Existing Windows Mixed Reality devices will still function with Steam until November 2026 if you stay on Windows 11, version 23H2. After November 2026, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support.

Paint 3D

Microsoft will stop releasing updates for the app and will permanently remove it from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024. The app was created as a classic Paint replacement, but failed to take its place.

Users who currently have the app installed should still be able to use it after the product removal.

WMIC

Windows Management Instrumentation command-line app, wmic.exe, is disabled by default in Windows 11 24H2. Microsoft has introduced Windows PowerShell for WMI to replace WMIC, stating that removing outdated features helps reduce code complexity while enhancing user safety and productivity.

Steps Recorder (psr.exe)

As Microsoft stated earlier, Steps Recorder is a subject to remove, and recommends using the Snipping Tool app instead of it.

The Tips app

The Tips app is also leaving the default Windows bundle. Its contents is no longer maintained.

Adobe Type1 fonts

Following Adobe's discontinuation of Type1 fonts, Windows has also dropped support for them. Any application that uses Type1 fonts may fail to render its content.

DirectAccess

This feature is part of VPN, that allows performing time saving tasks like automatic connections initiated before users sign in. According to the company, DirectAccess must be replaced with Always On VPN.

NTLM

All versions of NTLM, including LANMAN, NTLMv1, and NTLMv2, are no longer under active feature development and are deprecated. However, they will continue to work for unspecified period of time.

Driver Verifier GUI (verifiergui.exe)

Driver Verifier is a tool that monitors and tests Windows kernel-mode drivers and graphics drivers for illegal or corrupt behavior. The GUI version of the console verifier.exe tool is now deprecated. The console app remains available.

NPLogonNotify and NPPasswordChangeNotify APIs

Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, the inclusion of password payload in MPR notifications is set to disabled by default through group policy in NPLogonNotify and NPPasswordChangeNotify APIs. The APIs may be removed in a future release. The primary reason for disabling this feature is to enhance security and prevent attackers from stealing users' passwords.

TLS

TLS server authentication certificates using RSA keys with key lengths shorter than 2048 bits are being deprecated. This deprecation focuses on ensuring that all RSA certificates used for TLS server authentication must have key lengths greater than or equal to 2048 bits to be considered valid by Windows.

Test Base

Test Base for Microsoft 365, an Azure cloud service for application testing, is deprecated.

32-bit ARM Apps Support

Windows 11 24H2 deprecates support for 32-bit ARM apps. Microsoft has significantly improved emulation performance for x86 apps, and the modern hardware is 64-bit ARM.