Two Apps You Can No Longer Install on Windows 11

Microsoft's efforts in developing Windows 11 have focused on resolving the issue of overlapping apps present in Windows 10. As a result, some apps and features have undergone significant improvements, while others have been completely eliminated. In the latest release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25987, which is intended as a test version for PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, several minor enhancements have been made to the initial setup process and the ability to edit PNG images. Additionally, a number of bugs have been addressed. However, the most notable change is that the Maps and "Movies and TV" apps will no longer be included in new installations of Windows 11.

Microsoft has announced that the Windows Maps and Movies & TV apps will no longer be included in the OS with a clean install. However, for Insiders in the Canary Channel, these apps will remain available and updated through the Microsoft Store. The removal of the Movies & TV app is not surprising, considering that Windows 11 now features a unified Media Player app. This new app has replaced both the old Groove Music player and the legacy Windows Media Player. The latter can still be installed from the Optional Features menu if necessary. Additionally, a later Windows 11 update has made the Media Player app the default application for opening video files, rendering the Movies & TV app unnecessary for most purposes. Its main function now is to allow users to watch purchased content from the Microsoft Store, while the Media Player app handles all other media playback.

The Maps app remains unchanged from the earlier Windows 10 version, which was designed for both phones and PCs. It allowed users to save locations and directions across different devices. However, since Windows Phone has been inactive for quite some time, and many PC users prefer opening maps in their web browsers, it probably didn't justify Microsoft revamping the app for Windows 11. Additionally, the Maps app heavily relies on Bing Maps, which is not as popular as Google Maps or Apple Maps.

Microsoft

The update will not uninstall the Maps and Movies and TV apps from a PC if they are already installed. This will continue to be the case when these changes are implemented in the stable builds of Windows 11. Additionally, users will still have the option to download these apps from the Microsoft Store.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Microsoft's decision to remove the Maps and Movies & TV apps from new installations of Windows 11. On one hand, I understand the company's desire to streamline the operating system and remove any unnecessary bloatware. These apps were not widely used and had limited functionality, so their removal will likely not have a significant impact on most users.

On the other hand, I am concerned about the precedent this sets for the future of Windows. Microsoft has a history of removing features and apps from its operating system, often without providing users with a way to get them back. This can be frustrating for users who rely on these features or who simply prefer the way things were. I hope that Microsoft will be more transparent about its plans for future updates and will provide users with more control over the features and apps that are included in Windows.

Overall, I think the removal of the Maps and Movies & TV apps is a step in the right direction for Windows 11. However, I hope that Microsoft will be more careful about removing features in the future and will provide users with more control over their operating system.