Microsoft Continues to Retire Outdated Functions and Leave Windows Cleaner
Microsoft is steadily cleaning house, removing outdated features from Windows. While some removals are ignored by most users, this year’s scrub revealed some forgotten functionalities that will leave Microsoft’s legacy behind.
## Farewell to Tiny Keys and Unsecured Systems
One of the first victims this year were short RSA cryptographic keys used for TLS authentication.
These underpowered keys, measured at less than 2048 bits, fell short of recommendations from internet standardization authorities, who recommended using keys of at least
2048 bits over a decade ago.
Clearly, Microsoft was behind the curve. However, keeping older technologies around solely for compatibility reasons, while not ideal, sounds about right when talking about a behemoth product like Windows.
Another security feature headed for the recycle bin is the outdated NTLM authentication. This technology used to form the bedrock of logging into older versions of the operating system.
While Microsoft acknowledges this doesn’t stop functioning, it was shockingly easy to crack – as even our own writers demonstrated 14 years ago – so its removal is more than overdue.
Interestingly, Microsoft states that, for now, NTLM Authentication will stick around to accommodate the specific needs of businesses.
However, it will not be getting any further development. This essentially means that anyone who chooses to stick with this insecure method
is knowingly putting themselves at risk.
## Fonts Fade and 3D Dreams Die
Beyond security features, some less-used functionalities are being retired as well.
Adobe Type 1 fonts, like digital dinosaurs of a bygone era, are being put out to pasture.
While Adobe itself stopped supporting them long ago, it seems Microsoft held on for longer than most, likely out of compatibility considerations.
Let’s be honest, the only people these outdated fonts will affect significantly are those using legacy graphics software or tools. TrueType
and OpenType are far more common these days, leaving Type 1 gathering dust.
But perhaps the most heartbreaking goodbye goes to Microsoft Paint 3D.
Once touted as the future of Windows creativity, this app struggled to catch on. While some may have dreamed of pixel
pushing with ease, most creatives stuck with established software like Photoshop or Affinity. Paint 3D was quietly retired throughout last year and vanished entirely from the Store in November, leaving its 3D dreams
unfulfilled.
The only question is, why stop at Paint 3D?
Might we see attempts to retire some of the legacy virtual surfaces – for example those associated with Microsoft’s “old-school”. Finally someone
is staring the death knell for those boring old silverlight startup menus?
## Broader Implications
This year’s retirement of several functionalities highlights a necessary, ongoing process. Maintaining a massive
software ecosystem like Windows requires difficult decisions.
While some see these updates as incoming changes, others may have been surprised to discover forgotten features they never
knew existed. This definitely proves the old adage holds true – the older I accompany this, the more we need to embrace the concept of “initial release.”
While they often lead to another onslaught of bugs and exploits for safety-conscious users. The
more mature, the better. And potentially,
they are more satisfying. Maybe they
would be satisfied with cleaning up the older generation and
Introducing something truly fresh and innovative, rather than just polishing up existing systems.
But we don’t.
We still have some spiderwebs,
but at least those that show
that
How will Microsoft balance the need to remove outdated features with the need to ensure compatibility for existing software and systems?
## Interview: Microsoft Cleans Up Windows, Retiring Outdated Features
**Host:** Welcome back to Tech Talk. Today, we’re discussing Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to streamline Windows by retiring outdated functionality. Joining us is tech analyst, Sarah Jones, to shed light on these changes. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**Sarah:** Happy to be here!
**Host:** So, Microsoft is saying goodbye to some long-standing features. What are some of the key changes we’re seeing?
**Sarah:** Right, Microsoft is making a concerted effort to remove features that are no longer secure or widely used. This year, we’ve seen the removal of short RSA cryptographic keys used for TLS authentication. These were simply too weak to effectively protect data in today’s threat landscape.
**Host:** Those sound pretty important. What other security measures are being retired?
**Sarah:** Another notable change is the phasing out of NTLM authentication. This older authentication method, while still functional, was notoriously easy to crack, as even your own team demonstrated years ago. While Microsoft is keeping it around temporarily for business compatibility, it’s not receiving any further development, essentially making it a risky choice for anyone still relying on it.
**Host:** Beyond security, are there any other functionalities being retired?
**Sarah:** Definitely. Adobe Type 1 fonts, which were once standard, are also on the chopping block. Adobe itself stopped supporting them years ago, but Microsoft held on likely due to compatibility concerns.
**Host:** So, it sounds like Microsoft is trying to balance modernization with compatibility.
**Sarah:** Exactly. It’s a delicate act. They need to keep Windows secure and relevant, while also ensuring existing software and systems can still function.
**Host:** What can users expect going forward?
**Sarah:** We can expect more of these clean-ups in the future. Microsoft seems committed to removing outdated and insecure technologies, which ultimately benefits users by creating a more secure and streamlined Windows experience.
**Host:** This is certainly a significant shift for Windows. Sarah, thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**Sarah:** My pleasure.
[1](https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-is-retiring-windows-10-home-and-pro-in-2025)
