Blockbuster at the least had the decency of dying a sluggish, protracted loss of life.
That chain, which introduced VHS tapes, and later DVDs, to tens of tens of millions of individuals slowly closed shops and even at the moment, has one remaining location. Microsoft’s Films & TV app, which was maybe not fairly as well-known as Blockbuster, merely stopped working.
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Followers of the app didn’t get any kind of warning or a countdown to closure; they merely logged in and located the next message:
“Microsoft now not gives new leisure content material for buy, together with motion pictures and TV exhibits.”
That is a cold-hearted approach to finish a product which will by no means have grow to be a mainstream title, however was nonetheless utilized by tens of millions of individuals.
Microsoft didn’t utterly abandon its prospects. It hasn’t erased your account, and your purchases can nonetheless be accessed.
- You may nonetheless stream bought content material by way of Xbox and Home windows units.
- You may’t purchase or lease something new.
- No refunds will probably be issued. Based on the Microsoft Retailer Phrases of Sale, motion pictures and TV exhibits are labeled “ineligible for refunds.”
The corporate declined a request from Selection for touch upon the shutdown.
Picture Supply: Matt Cardy/Getty Photographs
Microsoft has executed this earlier than
One of many causes vinyl albums have made a comeback is that digital libraries lack permanence. Microsoft has not eliminated the Films & TV apps from Home windows or Xbox, however there is not any actual motive for the corporate to take care of it.
The app now not produces income and retaining it working comes with bills. Microsoft has not stated it, however the shutdown is basically a warning to folks to both transfer their purchases to a different app, or perhaps watch them one final time.
Sadly, digital rights do not actually switch. Some motion pictures should still be accessible on the Films Anyplace platform, however that is restricted to the restricted variety of studios and movies taking part in that challenge.
There is not any related possibility for TV exhibits, and historical past means that Microsoft will finally merely take away the app and make it inaccessible for current customers.
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Microsoft additionally shot down one other potential resolution in a Q&A on its web site that was posted earlier than the shutdown.
“Sure, you’ll be able to obtain bought motion pictures or TV episodes to your native arduous drive utilizing Home windows 10. Nonetheless, there’s a catch: Films and TV exhibits bought from the Microsoft Retailer are sometimes protected by Digital Rights Administration (DRM). This implies they can’t be performed with simply any media participant, together with Home windows Media Participant. As a substitute, you’ll want to make use of the Films & TV app to play them,” a Microsoft employee shared in 2024.
Microsoft beforehand left digital library holders empty-handed
Microsoft as soon as tried to create its personal reply to Apple’s iPod, the Zune. To say the Zune was a failure can be an understatement — very similar to saying these Kevin Costner epic Western motion pictures (“Horizon: An American Saga”) he made after leaving “Yellowstone” have been a nasty selection.
Zune was not a gross sales success, nevertheless it offered glorious fodder for jokes by late-night comedians. It wasn’t that the product was dangerous, it was that it was very late to the occasion — a bit like IBM popping out with its personal i(BM)Telephone proper now.
When Zune closed, customers basically misplaced their digital libraries. The shutdown was a bit drawn-out.
Historical past of Microsoft’s Zune closure:
- Zune Market closed in 2012, and full service performance ended by 2015.
- Zune software program and units stopped receiving help in 2017.
- Microsoft formally discontinued Zune companies totally on November 12, 2015.
It was doable to again up your purchases to a different drive or music participant, however most songs have been protected by digital rights administration. That meant you may obtain them, however now not play them — digital relics that mocked you for not shopping for an iPod. (iPod libraries have been simply transferred to Mac or iPhone through iTunes.)
Different key apps Microsoft has killed
Skype (client)
- Shutdown Date: Could 5, 2025
- Operate: Pioneering VoIP messenger for video and voice calls (launched 2003)
- What Occurred: Microsoft retired the buyer Skype service, migrating customers to Microsoft Groups Free.
Paint 3D
- Discontinued: Faraway from Microsoft Retailer on November 4, 2024
- Operate: 3D modifying software launched as an enhanced model of traditional Paint in Home windows 10
- Why: Microsoft pivoted to give attention to the built-in Paint app (on Home windows 11) and its 3D Viewer for dealing with 3D content material.
Distant Desktop App (Microsoft Retailer)
- Finish of Assist: Could 27, 2025
- Operate: Distant desktop shopper from Microsoft Retailer
- Substitute: Customers should change to the brand new Home windows App, which helps Home windows 365, Azure Digital Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Field options.
Cortana (Digital Assistant)
- Discontinued Interval: Phased down between 2019–2023; absolutely retired by late 2023
- Operate: Constructed‑in assistant throughout Home windows, cell, Xbox, and IoT
- Final result: Changed by Microsoft Copilot; standalone app help ended on Home windows and cell platforms.
Groove Music (and Groove Music Go)
- Streaming Service Ended: December 31, 2017
- App Discontinued: Android/iOS apps ended December 2018; on Home windows changed by Media Participant by early 2023
- Operate: Music participant and subscription streaming service
- Observe: Microsoft inspired customers emigrate to Spotify on the time.
Wunderlist
- Shut Down: Could 6, 2020
- Operate: Cloud-based to‑do listing and job supervisor
- Final result: Customers transitioned to Microsoft To Do, with import instruments offered earlier than sync ended.
Home windows Stay Author
- Discontinued: January 2017
- Operate: Desktop blog-publishing software (a part of Home windows Stay Necessities)
- Aftermath: Microsoft launched an open-source fork referred to as Open Stay Write.
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