Microsoft to Downgrade This Windows 10 Feature Starting Next Month

The days of Windows 10 are coming to a close. It’s set to reach the end of support on October 14th this year. That leaves users with less than ten months to either upgrade their systems, buy new PCs, stick with unsupported devices, or maybe even switch to a completely different platform. Microsoft has been ringing the alarm bells through warnings, blog posts, and an array of notifications about this. Strangely enough, the tech giant has just started testing a brand-new feature for Windows 10.

Yes, you heard it right. Even as the curtain is poised to fall, a new feature might be making its way into Windows 10—provided the testing pans out successfully. Recently, Microsoft introduced a fresh calendar feature in the taskbar of Windows 10 for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. This new tweak adds weather forecasts directly to the calendar taskbar flyout.

What’s interesting is that the calendar flyout on Windows 10 offers more functionality than its counterpart on Windows 11—highlighted by the presence of apps like Calendar Flyout. Once the update is live, users on Windows 10 could enjoy a superior experience compared to Windows 11 users. This development first came to light thanks to phantomofearth, a user on X.

Believe it or not, Microsoft didn’t stop there. They’ve actually rolled out two new features, although one could be considered a step backward. The latest release for Insiders features the new Outlook. Microsoft recently discontinued the Mail & Calendar app, necessitating a replacement. Enter the contentious new Outlook app.

Earlier this month, we reported that the new Outlook is destined for Windows 10 computers, and the details are now unfolding. On January 28, 2025, an optional update will automatically install the new Outlook. Subsequently, the security update scheduled for February 11, 2025, will deploy it to even more PCs.

While this move might be seen as an upgrade by some at Microsoft, the sentiment isn’t universally shared outside the company—and possibly not even by everyone within Microsoft. But that’s just a hunch.

Some argue that since the Mail & Calendar app was free, it’s acceptable for Microsoft to replace it with something else. Personally, I beg to differ. Even if they have a point, Microsoft is planning to eventually replace the classic Outlook app with the new version, but not quite yet. These changes are likely to irk those not fond of the updated Outlook.

For now, though, let’s keep our attention on the new calendar taskbar feature for Windows 10 and the rollout of the new Outlook app as it comes to this OS on its way out. Here’s the full list of changes from Microsoft for Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5435:

### Windows 10: New Features and Improvements

– [Calendar] New! Stay updated with the new calendar, featuring weather forecasts and information on upcoming holidays and events.
– [Mail] New! The new Outlook for Windows app is now the default mail app. Look for its new icon in the Start menu. If you had pinned the old mail app to your taskbar, you’ll see the new icon instead.
– [GB18030-2022] Support for this amendment has been added.
– [Virtual memory] Fixed: An issue causing some apps to fail by depleting virtual memory.
– [Chinese Pinyin input method editor (IME)] Bing will no longer auto-suggest in search boxes for sites like Baidu. Manual suggestions can be retrieved using Ctrl + Tab or the chevron button (>).
– [Near Field Communication (NFC) readers] Fixed: NFC readers sometimes failed to capture card Universal Unique Identifiers (UUID) after numerous POS app scans.
– [USB Print and IPP Over USB] Fixed: A printer installation issue where it would fail when the spooler initializes.
– [Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist] More drivers at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks have been added to this list.
– [Screen capture] Fixed: An issue of unresponsive Capture Service and Snipping Tool when repeatedly pressing Windows logo key + Shift + S while Narrator is active.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to decode these developments in the world of Windows and gaming.