Microsoft is getting ready to take out one of the features in Windows called Remote Mailslots. Microsoft plans to remove the Remote Mailslots feature in the next Windows update, which they announced this month.
What is Remote Mailslots? A Remote Mailslot is a feature that enables one-way communication between processes on different computers. It functions like a virtual file residing in memory and allows data to be stored and retrieved using standard file operations. The messages in a Remote Mailslot can take various forms but are limited to 424 bytes in size when transmitted between computers.
In the latest release for the Canary Channel, Microsoft introduced a new Insider build. The latest build marks Microsoft’s decision to phase out the Remote Mailslot protocol, which has already begun and will continue until the feature is completely removed.
Microsoft is removing Remote Mailslots, the old tools for computers from a long time ago, because they are not so good now. This change is happening so that computers can use better and newer ways to communicate with each other.
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What are Remote Mailslots in Windows?
Remote Mailslots is the communication protocol in Windows. It was introduced during the MS-DOS era and used for interprocess communication (IPC). Now, it is considered outdated and is being phased out.
Why are Remote Mailslots being Deprecated?
Remote Mailslots are being deprecated because they are outdated, simple, unreliable, and pose security risks—the decision to modernize communication methods and improve security standards in Windows.
What is Remote Mailslot Protocol?
The Remote Mailslot Protocol is a primary, non-secure, one-way communication method between a client and a server in interprocess communications (IPC). This protocol is considered straightforward, but its limitations are, especially regarding security.
Deprecation of Remote Mailslots in Windows
Microsoft is making Windows safer with a decision in the latest update. They are Turning OFF the Remote Mailslot Protocol, this decision is a proactive step towards enhancing security, marking the end of an outdated and less secure method for computer communication.
Removed and Deprecated Features in Windows
In November, Microsoft deprecated 4 features: Tips, Computer Browser, Webclient (WebDAV) Service and Remote Mailslots. When microsoft plans to deprecate one feature, finding a newer alternative for the feature is essential.
| Feature | Details and mitigation | Deprecation Announced |
|---|---|---|
| Tips | The Tips app is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. | November 2023 |
| Computer Browser | The Computer Browser driver and service are deprecated. The browser (browser protocol and service) is a dated, insecure device location protocol. This protocol, service, and driver were first disabled by default in Windows 10 by removing the SMB1 service. | November 2023 |
| Webclient (WebDAV)Serviice | The Webclient (WebDAV) service is deprecated. The Webclient service isn’t started by default in Windows. | November 2023 |
| Remote mailslots | Remote Mailslots are deprecated. The Remote Mailslot protocol is a dated, simple, unreliable, insecure IPC method first introduced in MS-DOS. This protocol was first disabled by default in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. | November 2023 |
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25314 Disables Remote Mailslot
The new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25314 introduces enhanced security features. The Remote Mailslot Protocol is disabled by default in this build to ensure a more secure computing environment. The build shows the future deprecation of the Remote Mailslot Protocol, highlighting its removal in the subsequent Windows releases.
C:\WINNT\system32\cmd.exe
C:>net send 2500-L78HXMF1 Hello boss, how are you? Shall we go to the bar?
The message was successfully sent to 2500-L78HXMF1.
C:>-
Messenger Service
Message from 2500-L78HXMF1 to 2500-L78HXMF1 on 3/12/2008 8:30:16 PM
Hello boss, how are you? Shall we go to the bar?
Remote Mailslot
Let’s discuss about mailslot, mailslot server and mailslot client. Mailslots are integral components in computer communication. The table below helps you to show all the details related to Remote Mailslot.
| About Mailslots | Description |
|---|---|
| mailslot | A mailslot is a pseudofile that exists in a computer’s memory. Use standard file functions to access it. |
| mailslot server | A mailslot server is a process that helps you to create and own a mailslot. |
| mailslot client | A mailslot client is a process that helps you to write a message to a mailslot. |
Enable Remote Mailslot using PowerShell Command
In build 25314 of the Canary Channel, Remote Mailslot functionality is disabled by default. Users can Enable Remote Mailslot by running a specific PowerShell command. However, this poses a significant security risk to the organization.
PS C:\> Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableMailslots $true
Feedback and Opinions Section
Microsoft has announced removing the Remote Mailslots feature in the upcoming Windows update, and Microsoft values your input. You can easily share your experience or any insights with the help of the feedback section.
Feedback and opinions invite users and IT professionals to share their thoughts, concerns, and perhaps insights into specific use cases that might be affected by these changes.
Conclusion
Microsoft announced this month that it is set to remove the Remote Mailslots feature in the next Windows update. Remote Mailslots, an older tool for computer communication, is being phased out due to its outdated nature.
Deprecated features in the Windows client – What’s new in Windows | Microsoft Learn
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Author
About the Author – Vidya is a computer enthusiast. She is here to share quick tips and tricks with Windows 11 or Windows 10 users. She loves writing on Windows 11 and related technologies. She is also keen to find solutions and write about day-to-day tech problems.