Microsoft Maps App to Be Deprecated and Removed from Microsoft Store by July 2025. Microsoft has officially announced the deprecation of the Microsoft Maps app, with plans to remove it from the Microsoft Store by July 2025.
This move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to streamline and modernize its app ecosystem. This announcement starts the process of phasing out the app, it will no longer get updates or support. Microsoft suggest users switch to other mapping services before the app is removed from the Microsoft Store in July 2025.
Any personal data (such as saved maps, routes, and points of interest) will not be deleted when the app is deprecated. However, after July 2025, this data won’t function within the Maps app as the app will no longer be supported.
In this post, you will get all the details about the Microsoft Maps app, which is set to be deprecated and removed from the Microsoft Store by July 2025. This post will cover important timelines, what it means for users, and alternative mapping services to transition to before the app becomes nonfunctional.
Table of Contents
What is Happening to the Microsoft Maps App?
The Microsoft Maps app is officially deprecated. It will be removed from the Microsoft Store by July 2025 and will no longer receive updates or support.
When was the Deprecation Announced?
Microsoft announced the deprecation of the Maps app in April 2025.
What are the Key Features of a Maps App
Maps apps provide real-time directions for driving, walking, or cycling from one location to another. They calculate the best route based on factors like distance, time, and traffic conditions.
1. Easy Navigation
2. Real-Time Traffic Updates
3. Location Search and Discovery
4. Route Planning
5. Offline Access
6. Street View and Detailed Maps
7. Cost-Effective
8. Integration with Other Services
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
While Microsoft hasn’t explicitly shared reasons in the public announcement, deprecating legacy apps like Maps typically happens for one or more of the following reasons.
1. Low usage and engagement.
2. Shift to web-based services (like Bing Maps).
3. Cost and maintenance issues of supporting standalone apps.
4. Better integration with cloud and browser technologies.
Microsoft Maps App to Be Deprecated and Removed from Microsoft Store by July 2025
A Maps app is a tool that helps you with navigation and finding places. It uses maps and location information to guide you to destinations, discover new places, and complete tasks that involve locations.
| Microsoft Maps App | Details |
|---|---|
| Removal from the Microsoft Store | By July 2025, the Maps app will be removed from the Microsoft Store |
| Final Update | A final update will be released in July 2025 |
| Uninstalling the App | The Maps app can be uninstalled at any time before or after July 2025 |
| Personal Data and Files | Any personal data (such as saved maps, routes, and points of interest) will not be deleted when the app is deprecated. |
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Deprecation Timeline and Key Changes
Microsoft has set a clear timeline for the deprecation of the Maps app. Until July 2025, the app will remain available in the Microsoft Store, and users can continue to use it normally. If the app is uninstalled before that date, it can still be reinstalled from the Store. However, in July 2025, Microsoft will both remove the app from the Store and release a final update that will render the app nonfunctional, even if it’s still installed.
| Before July 2025 | By July 2025 | After July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| The Microsoft Maps app is still available in the Microsoft Store. | The Maps app will be removed from the Microsoft Store. | You will not be able to download or reinstall the app. |
| If the app is already installed, it can still be used normally. | At the same time, a final Store update will be released that will intentionally disable the app’s functionality. | You can still uninstall the app manually. |
| If you uninstall it, you can reinstall it from the Store (but only before July 2025). | This update will effectively make the app nonfunctional, even if it remains installed. | Any saved content in the app (e.g., bookmarked locations, guided navigation routes, or map URLs) will not be deleted, but they won’t work inside the Maps app anymore. |
| No functional changes have been applied yet—but the app is officially marked for removal. |
Maps App and Windows 11 Version 24H2 and Beyond
Starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, which is expected to be released in the second half of 2024, the Maps app will no longer be preinstalled. Users who upgrade to or install this version will find that the Maps app is absent, as Microsoft aligns with its transition strategy leading up to the app’s full deprecation in July 2025.
This move is part of the broader shift away from standalone apps toward web-based services, with Bing Maps being the recommended alternative for mapping needs.
What Users Should Do Before the Maps App Is Removed
If you are a regular user of the Maps app, it’s important to take a few steps before its deprecation in July 2025. First, consider exporting or taking screenshots of any important routes, bookmarks, or saved navigation data you rely on. Microsoft recommends transitioning to the web-based Bing Maps service as an alternative.
Also, if you plan to continue using the app for a while longer, make sure not to uninstall it before July 2025, as reinstallation won’t be possible after that date. Finally, if you’re upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2, be aware that the Maps app will no longer be included by default.
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Resources
Deprecated features in the Windows client | Microsoft Learn
Author
Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP from 2015 onwards for 10 consecutive years! He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is also a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.