Microsoft is known for its constant innovation and contribution to the tech world, but even a company of this size occasionally retires some of its offerings. Over the years, several of Microsoft’s once-popular products and services have been discontinued, either due to changing technology trends, strategic shifts, or the rise of more modern alternatives.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 discontinued Microsoft products and services that left an impact on users, even if they’re no longer part of the company’s lineup.

1. Windows Phone (2010–2017)

Overview:

Windows Phone was Microsoft’s attempt to break into the smartphone market, competing directly with Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android. Released in 2010, it featured a unique tile-based interface and tight integration with Microsoft services like Office and OneDrive. Despite its innovative design, Windows Phone never gained the market traction it needed.

Why It Was Discontinued:

The main reason for the failure of Windows Phone was the lack of app support. Popular apps like Instagram and Snapchat were either unavailable or lagged behind their iOS and Android counterparts. In 2017, Microsoft officially announced the end of Windows Phone development, citing its inability to compete with other operating systems.

Impact:

Despite its failure, Windows Phone is remembered for its clean design and user-friendly interface, elements that influenced later versions of Windows.

2. Microsoft Zune (2006–2011)

Overview:

The Microsoft Zune was a line of digital media players launched to rival Apple’s iPod. While Zune had its fans, it never reached the same level of popularity. The devices were known for their sleek design, subscription-based music service (Zune Pass), and innovative wireless syncing feature.

Why It Was Discontinued:

Zune struggled to find its footing in a market dominated by Apple’s iPod. Additionally, the growing popularity of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music made standalone media players less appealing. Microsoft officially discontinued the Zune hardware in 2011, though the Zune service persisted for a few more years.

Impact:

Though it wasn’t a commercial success, Zune helped Microsoft understand the digital entertainment space, laying the groundwork for future services like Xbox Music, now known as Spotify-powered Groove Music.

3. Internet Explorer (1995–2022)

Overview:

Internet Explorer was Microsoft’s flagship web browser for over two decades. Introduced in Windows 95, Internet Explorer once held a dominant share of the browser market. However, as modern browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox emerged, Internet Explorer's popularity declined.

Why It Was Discontinued:

By the late 2000s, Internet Explorer had developed a reputation for being slow and insecure. Microsoft introduced Edge in 2015 as a faster, more modern alternative. In 2022, Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer, encouraging users to switch to Microsoft Edge.

Impact:

Internet Explorer was once the default gateway to the internet for millions of users, but it couldn’t keep pace with modern web standards. Its discontinuation marked the end of an era in browser history.

4. Microsoft Kinect (2010–2017)

Overview:

Kinect was a motion-sensing device that allowed users to control their Xbox consoles with gestures and voice commands. It was released as an accessory for the Xbox 360 in 2010 and later bundled with the Xbox One. Kinect was revolutionary at the time, allowing for controller-free gaming and interactions.

Why It Was Discontinued:

Despite its initial success, Kinect’s appeal waned over time. Developers struggled to create compelling games that fully utilized the technology, and the device's motion tracking was often inconsistent. By 2017, Microsoft had ceased production of the Kinect hardware, moving away from motion-controlled gaming.

Impact:

Kinect's technology has found new life in other areas, such as healthcare and AI research, but it never became the game-changing platform Microsoft envisioned.

5. Windows Live Messenger (1999–2013)

Overview:

Originally known as MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger was one of the most popular instant messaging services in the early 2000s. It allowed users to chat with friends, share files, and engage in video calls.

Why It Was Discontinued:

The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage led to the decline of traditional instant messaging clients. In 2013, Microsoft retired Windows Live Messenger and merged its messaging services with Skype, which it had acquired in 2011.

Impact:

Windows Live Messenger played a significant role in shaping the early days of online communication, but it couldn’t keep up with the shift toward mobile messaging.

6. Microsoft Band (2014–2016)

Overview:

The Microsoft Band was a fitness tracker with a focus on health and activity monitoring. It featured a variety of sensors to track heart rate, steps, sleep quality, and even UV exposure. The Microsoft Band also integrated with the company’s Health platform.

Why It Was Discontinued:

Despite positive reviews of its features, the Microsoft Band never gained significant market share against competitors like Fitbit and Apple Watch. Limited third-party app support and frequent hardware issues contributed to the device's downfall, and Microsoft discontinued the Band in 2016.

Impact:

The Band was Microsoft’s attempt to break into the wearable tech market, but its failure led the company to exit the space and focus more on software and cloud-based health solutions.

7. Windows 10X (2019–2021)

Overview:

Windows 10X was a streamlined version of Windows 10, specifically designed for dual-screen devices and lightweight computing. It was introduced in 2019, with plans to compete with Google’s Chrome OS. Windows 10X promised a simpler user interface and faster performance for portable devices.

Why It Was Discontinued:

Despite its potential, Windows 10X faced delays and ultimately, Microsoft decided to scrap the project. The pandemic shifted the focus back to single-screen devices, and features from Windows 10X were gradually integrated into Windows 11 instead.

Impact:

Though it never launched as a standalone OS, Windows 10X’s innovations in UI design and performance optimization helped shape the development of Windows 11.

8. Groove Music (2012–2017)

Overview:

Originally launched as Xbox Music, Groove Music was Microsoft’s music streaming service aimed at competing with the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. It allowed users to purchase, stream, and store music in the cloud.

Why It Was Discontinued:

Despite offering a competitive music library, Groove Music struggled to attract subscribers. Microsoft eventually partnered with Spotify to give its users a more robust music streaming experience. Groove Music was discontinued in 2017, and users were encouraged to transfer their music libraries to Spotify.

Impact:

Groove Music marked Microsoft’s foray into streaming but failed to make a dent in the already saturated music streaming market. However, the lessons learned helped Microsoft strengthen its partnerships with industry leaders like Spotify.

9. Windows Media Center (2002–2015)

Overview:

Windows Media Center was an entertainment hub included with certain editions of Windows that allowed users to record TV shows, watch DVDs, and manage media libraries. It was widely used in home theater setups before the rise of streaming services.

Why It Was Discontinued:

With the increasing popularity of online streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, fewer people relied on dedicated media software to manage their home entertainment systems. In 2015, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would no longer include Windows Media Center.

Impact:

While Windows Media Center was a valuable tool in its heyday, it couldn’t keep pace with the streaming revolution. Its discontinuation marked the end of Microsoft’s attempt to control the home entertainment market.

10. Microsoft Encarta (1993–2009)

Overview:

Encarta was Microsoft’s digital encyclopedia, widely used by students and educators in the 1990s and early 2000s. It offered multimedia content, including videos and interactive maps, making it a popular alternative to traditional print encyclopedias like Britannica.

Why It Was Discontinued:

The rise of Wikipedia, a free, user-generated online encyclopedia, and the general availability of information on the internet rendered Encarta obsolete. Microsoft officially discontinued Encarta in 2009, ending its 16-year run.

Impact:

Encarta helped popularize digital reference tools, but it was ultimately no match for the free, community-driven model of Wikipedia. Its discontinuation highlighted how open-source and collaborative platforms can upend traditional business models.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Microsoft’s Product Lineup

Microsoft’s decision to discontinue products and services is often a result of shifting technology trends and changing consumer needs. While some of these products were ahead of their time, others simply couldn’t keep up with evolving markets. Nonetheless, each of these products has left its mark on Microsoft’s history and the tech industry as a whole, shaping future innovations and strategies.