Microsoft’s legendary innovation pipeline is world-renowned, yet not every product emerging from Redmond continues to shine in the long haul. As Microsoft’s strategic focus hones in ever more fiercely on its revenue-driving AI, cloud, and enterprise solutions, an uncomfortable but increasingly visible trend has emerged: household-name Microsoft products quietly shifting from cutting-edge tools to neglected relics, their glory days replaced by stagnation and abandonment. For Windows enthusiasts who’ve come to depend on these products in their daily lives, the disillusionment is real—and revealing.
For many, the “Microsoft Graveyard” conjures images of Zune, Groove Music, the charming but doomed Windows Phone, and the intriguing Surface Duo. Their demises made headlines. What garners less attention, however, is the fate of products and services that remain technically “alive” but, for all practical purposes, have ceased meaningful evolution. Whether through shifting market priorities, product consolidation, or the inexorable march of competition, several significant Microsoft offerings have become ghost ships—occasionally maintained, rarely improved, and abandoned in spirit if not in service contract.
Let’s explore five such products—once innovative, now in limbo—through the lens of current users, verifiable development activity, and their future prospects.
Fast forward to today: SwiftKey’s major updates are a distant memory, its vaunted core features treading water while rivals like Google’s Gboard and Samsung’s native keyboard gain ground. Even with Microsoft’s formidable AI arsenal, SwiftKey’s most notable recent additions are superficial—think meme generators and generic AI-assisted replies—rather than core improvements sought by power users. Basic customization, such as theme tweaks or new language packs, see little action, and neither predictive accuracy nor swipe recognition appear to benefit meaningfully from Microsoft’s advances in natural language models.
Industry analysis and user feedback corroborate the perception of stagnation. No significant improvement to typing accuracy or feature depth has arrived in years. The keyboard’s integration with broader Microsoft services (such as Xbox chat features or Windows interoperability) remains wishful thinking.
Strengths:
But in 2025, marks the Launcher’s 10th anniversary—without much cause for celebration. The app now exhibits increasingly frequent and persistent bugs: app drawer freezes, widgets glitching out, and visual quirks that linger through multiple version cycles. For example, reports of longstanding color issues in widgets have gone months without being resolved.
Moreover, as hardware evolves (with foldables and large-screen “Phablets” now mainstream), the Launcher has not kept pace. There’s little evidence of updates supporting modern screen formats or workflows, and the once-steady flow of thoughtful, user-driven improvements has slowed to a trickle. Instead, the only significant additions in recent years have been lackluster AI integrations—often perceived as bolt-on rather than thoughtfully designed enhancements.
A quick review of Google Play update logs and Microsoft’s official notes reveal a declining cadence: what once saw energetic attention is now relegated to bugfixes and occasional security updates, with token gestures to AI trends but nothing commensurate with user expectations.
Strengths:
Unfortunately, by nearly any metric, Microsoft Movies & TV has entered maintenance mode at best and decay at worst. Industry veterans and user forums echo a common litany of complaints: lack of modern features (such as 4K or HDR purchasing), absence of dedicated mobile or smart TV apps, and bugs that go unfixed for years. One notorious example—resolution drop and playback issues when pausing or rewinding videos—persists today, having been flagged by power users and casual viewers alike for several product cycles with no acknowledgement or fix from Microsoft.
A comparison with Apple and Google’s offerings further highlights the neglect: both rivals have expanded multi-platform support, introduced family libraries, and regularly update interfaces and underlying video technology. Microsoft, meanwhile, appears content to maintain a minimum level of new releases, likely motivated by contractual obligations to media partners and the practical impossibility of mass-refunding user purchases, as occurred with groove Music.
It’s telling that the most significant “updates” in recent years surround content licensing rather than technical improvements. As Microsoft’s streaming focus shifts to services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (for gaming) and the consolidation of entertainment services within unified platforms, Movies & TV’s lack of progress is stark.
Strengths:
Yet, for all their popularity, Xbox Achievements have seen almost no substantive evolution since the introduction of “Rare Achievement” notifications. Formerly, achievements could unlock Xbox Avatar rewards and unique dashboard content—a novel inducement for completionists. Players and indie developers alike celebrated their ability to encourage engagement and exploration.
Today, the system suffers from benign neglect. Microsoft offers few, if any, new features, and user suggestions—such as introducing “platinum” rewards for 100% completion, or extending achievements to first-party mobile titles—remain unaddressed. The only tangential update is the integration with the Microsoft Rewards program, but those points are abstracted away from the gaming context and lack the direct, visceral thrill of in-game unlockables.
Compounding the sense of abandonment is perceived abuse: some publishers have been accused of flooding the system with “easy achievement” shovelware—low-effort games that grant maximum gamerscore in minutes, undermining the sense of accomplishment for dedicated players. Despite ample feedback, Microsoft has not instituted meaningful reforms.
A quick browse through Microsoft’s official Xbox forums and feature request boards reveals sustained user frustration on these points. The PlayStation “Platinum” trophy system and new achievement paradigms in PC gaming further highlight the dearth of innovation on the Xbox side.
Strengths:
Yet, its very strengths as a focused, pen-first application may have doomed it; Microsoft’s attention soon shifted back to the broader, more established OneNote. According to official GitHub logs and the Microsoft Store update history, Journal has not seen a significant update or new feature roll-out since March 2023—a stark contrast to the company’s energetic AI and Copilot releases.
Anecdotal feedback from professional creators and students—groups once drawn to Journal—now centers on a lack of bug fixes and abandonment fears. Even relatively minor quality-of-life requests (PDF annotation features, cloud notebook syncing, new pen gestures) have gone unaddressed.
The implications are clear: as Microsoft steers its resources toward enterprise sales and Copilot AI, niche but beloved apps like Journal fall off the radar, with user communities left to wonder if support will cease altogether.
Strengths:
This is not universal neglect: Microsoft 365 (Office productivity apps), Edge browser, and Xbox Game Pass continue to see regular updates, reflecting their role as revenue drivers and flagship consumer offerings. However, anything seen as peripheral to those mission-critical products—no matter how innovative—risk being deprioritized.
Solutions begin with transparency. Clear roadmaps, honest update cadences, and explicit warnings about product status allow users and organizations to plan accordingly. Microsoft’s open-source teams (notably on GitHub) have begun to model this communication standard, but silos persist between consumer apps and high-profile business platforms.
Customers, meanwhile, can drive change through advocacy—by sharing feedback, organizing around key features, and demanding clarity about long-term support. In the absence of such grassroots effort, however, the graveyard of promising Microsoft products will only grow.
For the products spotlighted here—SwiftKey, Microsoft Launcher, Movies & TV, Xbox Achievements, and Microsoft Journal—the arc of stagnation is clear. Whether they see a revival or a formal sunset may depend as much on the voices of their communities as on Microsoft’s own internal champions. One thing is certain: for those who mourn the gap between innovation and stewardship, vigilance and advocacy have never been more crucial.
Source: inkl Here are 5 good current Microsoft products that have become stagnant — or worse — abandoned
For many, the “Microsoft Graveyard” conjures images of Zune, Groove Music, the charming but doomed Windows Phone, and the intriguing Surface Duo. Their demises made headlines. What garners less attention, however, is the fate of products and services that remain technically “alive” but, for all practical purposes, have ceased meaningful evolution. Whether through shifting market priorities, product consolidation, or the inexorable march of competition, several significant Microsoft offerings have become ghost ships—occasionally maintained, rarely improved, and abandoned in spirit if not in service contract.Let’s explore five such products—once innovative, now in limbo—through the lens of current users, verifiable development activity, and their future prospects.
1. SwiftKey: From Industry Titan to Idle Passenger
Microsoft’s $250 million acquisition of SwiftKey in 2016 heralded a new era for swipe-typing on the go. For a glorious window, SwiftKey reigned supreme on Android, beloved for predictive accuracy, custom layouts, and seamless integration. But the mobile landscape—especially Microsoft’s own—shifted dramatically after Windows Phone’s demise and the company’s retreat from primary mobile hardware.Fast forward to today: SwiftKey’s major updates are a distant memory, its vaunted core features treading water while rivals like Google’s Gboard and Samsung’s native keyboard gain ground. Even with Microsoft’s formidable AI arsenal, SwiftKey’s most notable recent additions are superficial—think meme generators and generic AI-assisted replies—rather than core improvements sought by power users. Basic customization, such as theme tweaks or new language packs, see little action, and neither predictive accuracy nor swipe recognition appear to benefit meaningfully from Microsoft’s advances in natural language models.
Industry analysis and user feedback corroborate the perception of stagnation. No significant improvement to typing accuracy or feature depth has arrived in years. The keyboard’s integration with broader Microsoft services (such as Xbox chat features or Windows interoperability) remains wishful thinking.
Strengths:
- Still offers solid basic predictive typing.
- Remains free, widely available, and ad-free.
- Rapidly losing competitive edge.
- Negative user sentiment growing as issues persist and key features languish.
- The product’s lack of innovation could signal a quiet wind-down—especially as Microsoft prioritizes AI and cloud-first experiences.
2. Microsoft Launcher: Stagnating in the Age of Foldables
Once a bright star in Microsoft’s post-Windows Phone Android push, Microsoft Launcher provided a seamless bridge for loyalists jumping ship to Android. Lauded for its fluidity, simplicity, and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, the Launcher found quick success, especially with business users and Windows die-hards.But in 2025, marks the Launcher’s 10th anniversary—without much cause for celebration. The app now exhibits increasingly frequent and persistent bugs: app drawer freezes, widgets glitching out, and visual quirks that linger through multiple version cycles. For example, reports of longstanding color issues in widgets have gone months without being resolved.
Moreover, as hardware evolves (with foldables and large-screen “Phablets” now mainstream), the Launcher has not kept pace. There’s little evidence of updates supporting modern screen formats or workflows, and the once-steady flow of thoughtful, user-driven improvements has slowed to a trickle. Instead, the only significant additions in recent years have been lackluster AI integrations—often perceived as bolt-on rather than thoughtfully designed enhancements.
A quick review of Google Play update logs and Microsoft’s official notes reveal a declining cadence: what once saw energetic attention is now relegated to bugfixes and occasional security updates, with token gestures to AI trends but nothing commensurate with user expectations.
Strengths:
- Still delivers core Microsoft ecosystem value for dedicated users.
- Clean interface, light on battery usage.
- Risk of outright abandonment, given lack of investment and user frustration.
- Increasingly poor fit for modern Android devices.
- Well-reviewed launch features have grown outdated relative to competitors.
3. Movies & TV (“Film & TV”): Dwindling in the Shadow of Streaming Titans
Launched as a digital storefront for movies and TV shows within the Microsoft Store ecosystem, Movies & TV once looked poised to compete credibly with Apple’s iTunes and Google Play Movies. It remains the platform where users can access (and occasionally purchase) media content through Microsoft’s ecosystem, especially for those who invested in its earlier days.Unfortunately, by nearly any metric, Microsoft Movies & TV has entered maintenance mode at best and decay at worst. Industry veterans and user forums echo a common litany of complaints: lack of modern features (such as 4K or HDR purchasing), absence of dedicated mobile or smart TV apps, and bugs that go unfixed for years. One notorious example—resolution drop and playback issues when pausing or rewinding videos—persists today, having been flagged by power users and casual viewers alike for several product cycles with no acknowledgement or fix from Microsoft.
A comparison with Apple and Google’s offerings further highlights the neglect: both rivals have expanded multi-platform support, introduced family libraries, and regularly update interfaces and underlying video technology. Microsoft, meanwhile, appears content to maintain a minimum level of new releases, likely motivated by contractual obligations to media partners and the practical impossibility of mass-refunding user purchases, as occurred with groove Music.
It’s telling that the most significant “updates” in recent years surround content licensing rather than technical improvements. As Microsoft’s streaming focus shifts to services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (for gaming) and the consolidation of entertainment services within unified platforms, Movies & TV’s lack of progress is stark.
Strengths:
- Still delivers recent movie and TV content, albeit with delays.
- High compatibility with legacy Microsoft devices.
- Technological irrelevance: no 4K/HDR, no smart TV apps, persistent bugs.
- User lock-in due to sunk costs, not value or innovation—a dangerous long-term dynamic.
4. Xbox Achievements: A Legendary Feature, Now Ignored
Achievements—digital badges tied to in-game accomplishments—were a masterstroke when Microsoft introduced them to the Xbox ecosystem. They not only drove social engagement and competition but helped to unite disparate titles within a single “gamification” framework. Achievements have become ubiquitous, copied across platforms and genres, and once represented a clear Microsoft advantage.Yet, for all their popularity, Xbox Achievements have seen almost no substantive evolution since the introduction of “Rare Achievement” notifications. Formerly, achievements could unlock Xbox Avatar rewards and unique dashboard content—a novel inducement for completionists. Players and indie developers alike celebrated their ability to encourage engagement and exploration.
Today, the system suffers from benign neglect. Microsoft offers few, if any, new features, and user suggestions—such as introducing “platinum” rewards for 100% completion, or extending achievements to first-party mobile titles—remain unaddressed. The only tangential update is the integration with the Microsoft Rewards program, but those points are abstracted away from the gaming context and lack the direct, visceral thrill of in-game unlockables.
Compounding the sense of abandonment is perceived abuse: some publishers have been accused of flooding the system with “easy achievement” shovelware—low-effort games that grant maximum gamerscore in minutes, undermining the sense of accomplishment for dedicated players. Despite ample feedback, Microsoft has not instituted meaningful reforms.
A quick browse through Microsoft’s official Xbox forums and feature request boards reveals sustained user frustration on these points. The PlayStation “Platinum” trophy system and new achievement paradigms in PC gaming further highlight the dearth of innovation on the Xbox side.
Strengths:
- Still operates as a baseline feature across Xbox and Windows titles.
- Ubiquitous, easy to access, and central to platform identity.
- User disillusionment from stagnation and lack of recognition for “true completionists.”
- Deeper integration with Microsoft’s growing mobile gaming properties looks unlikely in the foreseeable future.
5. Microsoft Journal: A Pen-First Gem Left in the Attic
Born from the innovative Microsoft Garage program in 2021, Microsoft Journal answered a call from Surface and pen enthusiasts for a modern, digital notebook. Beloved for its fluid pen input, context-sensitive gestures, and minimalist native Windows UI, Journal was, in many users’ eyes, better than the company’s flagship OneNote for natural note-taking.Yet, its very strengths as a focused, pen-first application may have doomed it; Microsoft’s attention soon shifted back to the broader, more established OneNote. According to official GitHub logs and the Microsoft Store update history, Journal has not seen a significant update or new feature roll-out since March 2023—a stark contrast to the company’s energetic AI and Copilot releases.
Anecdotal feedback from professional creators and students—groups once drawn to Journal—now centers on a lack of bug fixes and abandonment fears. Even relatively minor quality-of-life requests (PDF annotation features, cloud notebook syncing, new pen gestures) have gone unaddressed.
The implications are clear: as Microsoft steers its resources toward enterprise sales and Copilot AI, niche but beloved apps like Journal fall off the radar, with user communities left to wonder if support will cease altogether.
Strengths:
- Still the best inking experience for many Surface and Windows users.
- Blends simplicity with innovative features.
- Complete abandonment is a real possibility; prior Microsoft Garage projects have been discontinued with little notice.
- Users reliant on Journal for professional or academic work should be cautious about long-term viability.
A Pattern Emerges: Innovation, Then Indifference
Each of these case studies illuminates the lifecycle of many Microsoft products: a bold debut, a period of growth and refinement, and then—too often—a slow fade into obscurity as the company’s strategic weather vane swings elsewhere. Why does this happen?Shifting Priorities: AI and the Cloud Take Center Stage
There’s little doubt about where Microsoft’s focus lies heading into this decade. Enterprise growth, Azure cloud services, and AI-powered copilots dominate press releases, fiscal reports, and developer conferences. The company’s consumer-facing product refresh cycles are, by contrast, less energetic than their AI-infused business tools.This is not universal neglect: Microsoft 365 (Office productivity apps), Edge browser, and Xbox Game Pass continue to see regular updates, reflecting their role as revenue drivers and flagship consumer offerings. However, anything seen as peripheral to those mission-critical products—no matter how innovative—risk being deprioritized.
Symptoms of Product Abandonment
How can end-users and IT professionals identify warning signs that a Microsoft product they depend upon is at risk? Common early indicators include:- Declining Update Frequency: Major updates shift from months to years, patch notes shrink, and only critical security fixes are issued.
- Unresolved Bugs: Community-reported issues go unaddressed, sometimes for years, leading to mounting user frustration.
- Irrelevant Feature Additions: New releases add token features (like generic AI add-ons) rather than fixing core problems.
- Lack of Platform Support: No moves to embrace emerging hardware or OS platforms (such as foldables or smart TVs), in marked contrast to competitors’ roadmaps.
- Muted Marketing/Community Presence: No mention in official Microsoft events, blogs, or social media campaigns.
The User’s Dilemma: Stick, Switch, or Seek Alternatives?
For devoted Microsoft users—many of whom have invested time, money, and workflow into these products—the sense of being left behind is acute. The alternatives each carry their own risks:- Stick: Risk of abrupt discontinuation, as with Zune or Groove Music, potentially leading to data loss or loss of purchased content (especially acute with media services).
- Switch: Involves learning new ecosystems, re-investment of effort, and, in some cases, loss of cross-feature integration with Windows or Office.
- Advocate/Wait: A vocal user base sometimes triggers corporate reconsideration, but such cases are rare and typically limited to high-profile products.
Lessons from Microsoft’s Graveyard: Why Some Products Thrive
It would be misleading to paint all of Microsoft’s ecosystem with the same brush; notable successes abound. Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft Teams, and Windows 11 continue regular cadence updates based on user feedback and evolving technology. Key lessons for product survival seem to include:- Alignment with Strategic Initiatives: Products deeply tied to AI, cloud, or key platform experiences attract ongoing resources.
- Monetization and User Growth: Services with clear revenue models (subscriptions, enterprise licensing) are prioritized.
- Strong User Engagement: Communities that drive public discussion and positive PR can help delay or reverse neglect.
What to Watch: The Next Victims of Stagnation
Given the trends identified, it’s reasonable to raise a warning flag for other Microsoft products and services with declining update activity or mismatched corporate focus. Among the candidates that face an uncertain future:- Cortana: Already repositioned (if not quite abandoned) in favor of Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11 and beyond.
- Legacy Edge Features: Some classic browser tools see declining development as Edge leans further into AI-powered workflows.
- Windows Mixed Reality: Falling behind Meta and Apple’s AR/VR pushes, with rumors of sunsetting in favor of business-focused XR solutions.
- Microsoft Family Safety and Parental Controls: Sporadic updates and feature gaps as alternative solutions proliferate.
Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and User-Centric Stewardship
As Microsoft pursues its next trillion-dollar vision, the fate of its smaller, once-beloved products becomes both a practical and moral issue. While shifting priorities are inevitable in tech, the risk of silent abandonment is unique to large, multi-product portfolios—as it can leave loyal customers stranded without guidance or recourse.Solutions begin with transparency. Clear roadmaps, honest update cadences, and explicit warnings about product status allow users and organizations to plan accordingly. Microsoft’s open-source teams (notably on GitHub) have begun to model this communication standard, but silos persist between consumer apps and high-profile business platforms.
Customers, meanwhile, can drive change through advocacy—by sharing feedback, organizing around key features, and demanding clarity about long-term support. In the absence of such grassroots effort, however, the graveyard of promising Microsoft products will only grow.
For the products spotlighted here—SwiftKey, Microsoft Launcher, Movies & TV, Xbox Achievements, and Microsoft Journal—the arc of stagnation is clear. Whether they see a revival or a formal sunset may depend as much on the voices of their communities as on Microsoft’s own internal champions. One thing is certain: for those who mourn the gap between innovation and stewardship, vigilance and advocacy have never been more crucial.
Source: inkl Here are 5 good current Microsoft products that have become stagnant — or worse — abandoned