6 Features Disappearing in Windows 10 (and How to Replace Them)

When it comes to fragmentation, Windows and Android are engaged in an epic battle to see which ecosystem is the most chaotic. While Android is making a run for the crown, for my money, Windows remains the undisputed champion of OS disorder. And things may soon get even more muddled now that Windows 10 finally has an official release date.

According to the most recent numbers from Net Applications, Windows 7 remains the most common flavor of Windows (in fact, it's the most common of all desktop operating systems) running on about 58 percent of all computers. Meanwhile, only 16 percent of users are running Windows 8 (that number includes both 8 and 8.1), 2 percent continue to rock Vista, and nearly 15 percent are still using XP.

As users purchase new computers (or make the proactive jump to upgrade to the new OS environs), they may find themselves in an alien environment. While there will be a lot of new features to lean and master in Microsoft's latest (and possibly final) Windows upgrade, users will also find that many of their beloved Windows standby tools have gone missing!

As noted by Paul Thurott, a number of old (some quite old) features will not make the jump to Windows 10. But that doesn't mean you have to live without them when you upgrade! Here are some of the items Microsoft will be assassinating in Windows 10—and ways to work around them.

1. Windows Media Center

Windows previously stopped shipping WMC with new versions of Windows 8 back in 2012. So, it's no surprise that if you are upgrading from Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, Windows Media Center will be removed. Some possible replacements include Kodi, Plex, and MediaPortal.

2. DVD Playback

Microsoft's official language regarding DVDs is that it will "require separate playback software." But if you absolutely must watch DVDs on your computer screen and Microsoft doesn't readily supply the "separate playback software," there are plenty of free third-party software packs out there such as the VLC media player. But for more full-featured players, look to CyberLink PowerDVD and Corel WinDVD.

3. Desktop Gadgets

These Windows 7 favorites (?) will also be killed when you upgrade to Windows 10. If that's something you absolutely need, you might consider the 8GadgetPack. Otherwise, you can get functionality similar to gadgets in the live tiles that many modern apps offer. For example, the Weather Channel's modern app will display your current conditions.

4. Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts

These productivity killers were already non-standard on Windows 8 (and some versions of 7), but they definitely won't be shipping preinstalled on any version of Windows 10. In fact, if you upgrade from Windows 7, your preinstalled games will be "removed." But have no fear, procrastinator face! You can download official Microsoft versions of Solitaire and Minesweeper in Microsoft's App Store. And of course, PLENTY of third-party clones abound.

5. Floppy Drive Support

Are you using a floppy drive in 2015? You weirdo. But if you want to use a Windows 10 PC to access that book report you wrote in 1996, you'll have to download the latest driver from Windows Update or directly from the manufacturer's website.

6. Windows Essentials' OneDrive Application

This will be replaced with an "inbox version of OneDrive." A universal OneDrive app may be coming later. Of course, you can always access your drive directly through a browser. You'll probably also want to ditch two other Essentials for their superior modern apps—Photos and Mail. If your video-editing needs are modest, you could replace Essentials' Movie Maker with the modern app Movie Moments, but hopefully Microsoft will come out with a more powerful modern video editor.

Michael Muchmore contributed to this story.