Every year, Microsoft deprecates, removes, and kills various apps, services, and devices. Here's what hit the chopping block in 2024.
It's the end of the year, which means it's time to look back on all the things that Microsoft makes that it now (or intends to soon) no longer make. Every year, Microsoft deprecates or kills a number of apps, services, brands, and devices, and 2024 was no different.
While this year wasn't as savage as 2023, there were still a whole bunch of things that Microsoft decided to end support for this year. Everything from the Surface Duo 2 and HoloLens 2 to Microsoft Start and Windows 11's Suggested Actions. Here's the rundown of all the Microsoft products that won't see the light of day in 2025.
Surface Duo 2
The Surface Duo 2 will never receive an update again.
(Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)
This year, Microsoft ended support for the Surface Duo 2, its second dual-screen Android smartphone. The device launched in 2021, but the entire product line was scrapped in 2023 after Microsoft made cuts to the Surface portfolio. That means Surface Duo 2 will likely be the last, and with Microsoft now ending support, the company is back to having zero smartphone presence in the market.
Surface Studio 2+
Production ending on a device before its successor is announced is never a good sign...
(Image credit: Windows Central)
Microsoft recently announced that it had ended production on the Surface Studio 2+, the company's premiere all-in-one desktop PC. Originally announced in 2016, the Surface Studio line was never updated frequently, and when it was it almost always with last-gen specs. With no successor imminent, and no more Surface Studio 2+ stock available worldwide, it's the end of Surface Studio, at least for now.
Windows Mixed Reality
This poor man will no longer be able to use his HP Reverb on the latest version of Windows 11.
(Image credit: Future)
Microsoft announced last year that it would be deprecating Windows Mixed Reality in 2024, and with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, that finally happened. With the latest version of Windows 11, thousands of Mixed Reality headsets are now rendered useless. The Windows Mixed Reality portal, as well as Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR has been removed from Windows 11.
HoloLens 2
The HoloLens 2 is no more, and with no HoloLens 3 in the works...
(Image credit: Future)
Microsoft's dedicated Mixed Reality headset, the HoloLens 2, has also reached the end of the line this year. The company announced in October that it had ended production on HoloLens 2, and with no successor seemingly imminent, that means Microsoft's line of AR headsets is now dead. Microsoft will support HoloLens 2 with security and bug fix updates until 2028, but beyond that, it seems Microsoft is set to no longer be part of the Mixed Reality market.
Paint 3D
Paint 3D is no more as of 2024.
(Image credit: Windows Central)
Paint 3D was once poised to replace the classic Windows Paint app, but in a weird turn of the events the opposite has ended up happening. Microsoft has refocused its efforts on classic Paint, giving it a fresh new interface and modern features, including AI capabilities. Paint 3D on the other hand has been abandoned by Microsoft, and is no longer available to download.
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