Microsoft will phase out the OneNote for Windows 10 app
Currently, in Windows 10/11, Microsoft will pre-install the UWP version of OneNote, and users can also install the desktop version of Microsoft OneNote. However, Microsoft has decided to phase out the UWP version of OneNote, and subsequent new features will focus on the desktop version of OneNote, but for now, the UWP version of OneNote can still be used.
Microsoft hopes to unify the two versions of OneNote to provide users with a better experience, and as the follow-up key version of the desktop version of OneNote will get a visual refresh, the latest pen and ink improvements, and a new navigation menu layout.
- The OneNote app will get new features and key existing features currently unique to OneNote for Windows 10.
- OneNote for Windows 10 users will get an in-app invitation to update to the OneNote app. We anticipate invitations to start in the second half of 2022. We will have a future announcement dedicated to IT pros that will detail the available controls over the timing and experience of updating users to the OneNote app.
As for the specific elimination time, there is no fixed number, but Microsoft plans to issue an announcement for IT administrators in the second half of 2022 to introduce the future development path of the OneNote desktop version.
It is worth noting that it is not only the UWP version of OneNote that will be eliminated. The pre-installed UWP version of the mail application will also be eliminated. However, unlike OneNote, the UWP version of mail will not be integrated into the desktop version of Outlook. Directly eliminated and replaced with PWA progressive web applications, that is, allowing users to access through the browser.
Of course, Microsoft’s confusing behavior may affect the use of many users. If you don’t plan to support it for a long time, why did you develop these UWP applications in the first place? Of course, Microsoft itself may not have thought that these UWP applications will be cut off in the next few years.
