Beyond the Patch: Windows 11’s Latest Update Deletes Key Legacy Tools
Windows 11 users who installed the September 2025 update might have assumed it brought only minor changes. At first glance, KB5065426 appears to be just another small patch routinely distributed by Microsoft. In reality, however, the modifications are far more significant than they seem.
The update quietly removes two legacy tools that some users may still have had on their systems: PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-Line (WMIC) console. Once widely relied upon by administrators and advanced users, both utilities have since been declared obsolete and insecure.
PowerShell 2.0 offered administrators a dedicated Windows command shell, but in recent years it has become a potential security liability. Microsoft has now eliminated it entirely, leaving only the modern PowerShell, currently at version 7.5. WMIC, once a valuable resource for corporate clients to gather system data across networks, has likewise been retired. The company emphasizes that both tools see virtually no legitimate use today and serve only to introduce unnecessary risk.
Beyond the removal of outdated components, the update also prepares systems for the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 release, expected in October. Enthusiasts can already experiment with its preview build.
Looking ahead, Microsoft has pledged to grant administrators greater control over the system’s composition. Future updates will include the ability to disable built-in applications and even certain AI-driven features via Group Policy, making Windows 11 lighter and less encumbered by unnecessary services.
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