Replace tools that Microsoft has axed
Has Microsoft just killed off your favourite program, extension or tool? Jonathan Parkyn explains what’s gone, why and what to use instead
Microsoft has been on something of a killing spree this year – and we’re not just talking about support for Windows 10, Office 2016 and Office 2019 ending this month. Recently it consigned Editor, Lists, Lens, Outlook Lite, Skype and Publisher to the scrapheap. Even its Microsoft Answers support forum has closed, re-emerging as Microsoft Q&A (https://learn.microsoft.com).
Why the cull? In some cases, it looks like rebranding. In others, Microsoft seems intent on consolidating features into bigger apps such as Outlook, Teams or Edge, with a focus on AI tools. Happily, for every tool Microsoft has bumped off, a great free alternative is available.
WHAT’S BEING AXED
Microsoft Editor
Editor is a grammar, spelling and style-checking tool. It’ll remain in Office apps (including Word) for now, but from 31 October Microsoft is axing the Editor extension for Edge and Chrome. After this date, AI-powered proofing will be built into Edge itself. Microsoft claims it’ll simplify how you use Office, but it’s really just another example of Microsoft herding its users towards Copilot.
WHAT YOU SHOULD USE INSTEAD
Grammarly’s browser extension (www. grammarly.com/browser) is the obvious choice. The free tier covers everything Editor does (spelling, grammar and punctuation) across all browsers. It’s easy to use and works in almost any text box as you browse. Not only that, but you can double-click a word for suggested synonyms – a feature Editor locks behind a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.