5 Alternatives to Windows Features That Microsoft Dropped
Microsoft often updates Windows 11 with new features but can also remove ones it considers outdated. If you've lost a program or app after an upgrade, don’t worry—there are plenty of alternatives available. Let’s check out nine replacements for the Windows features Microsoft has dropped.
Find a suitable replacement for WordPad
Microsoft has declared WordPad obsolete, so it will no longer be updated and will be removed in Windows 11 version 24H2. The company advises switching to Microsoft Word, which is a paid option.
Should I switch from Windows Mail to Outlook?
The Mail and Calendar app, which replaced Outlook Express, is designed for handling IMAP and POP3 emails. Its successor, "The New Outlook," has been available to Windows 10 and 11 users for a while. The original Mail and Calendar app will be fully discontinued by the end of 2024.
Currently, users can switch back to the old Mail app from "The New Outlook," but this option only lasts for the current session. If you restart the app, it will automatically revert to "The New Outlook."
Clean up Windows quickly and thoroughly
Over time, your PC can become cluttered, which can slow it down and lead to errors. Disk Cleanup has been a part of Windows since Windows 98, but its days are numbered. Although it’s still available in Windows 11 23H2, Microsoft now recommends using the options found under System > Storage in Settings, even though these options offer fewer features than Disk Cleanup.
When Disk Cleanup is eventually discontinued, Cleanmgr+ will serve as its replacement.
To use Cleanmgr+, open the tool and select "Run as Administrator." The package includes two programs; choose between them at startup. After selecting Cleanmgr, the Burnbyte tool will launch, presenting a drive selection window similar to the Disk Cleanup interface.
Start by selecting the system drive C:. Once you click OK, Burnbyte will show a clear interface detailing the different areas and the space they occupy on your hard drive. Check the options you want to clean and click "Clean Up." Be sure not to check "Download" if you want to retain the files in your download folder.
Uninstall programs and apps faster
In Windows Settings, you can uninstall programs by navigating to App > Apps and features (or Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11). Unfortunately, you can’t uninstall multiple programs simultaneously, and some applications might leave residual files behind.
In Windows 10, you could also uninstall programs through the Control Panel under Programs and Features, which was more user-friendly. This option has been removed in Windows 11.
Expand or collapse the context menu
In Windows 11, right-clicking on the desktop or in Windows Explorer brings up a context menu with just a few options. While this streamlined menu helps avoid clutter when many programs are installed, it may limit quick access to certain features.
To see all available options, you need to select "Show More Options" from the context menu or hold down the Shift key while right-clicking.