Many Microsoft technologies have evolved, been renamed, or replaced over the years. Below is a comprehensive table showing legacy Microsoft technologies vs. their modern replacements or successors as of 2025.
| Old/Legacy Technology | Replaced/Upgraded By | Latest in 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA Server (Internet Security and Acceleration) | Forefront TMG (Threat Management Gateway) | Deprecated → Use Azure Firewall / Defender for Cloud | ISA & TMG are discontinued; cloud-native security preferred. |
| Forefront TMG | — | Azure Firewall, Microsoft Defender for Cloud | TMG support ended in 2020. |
| Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) | System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Integrated into Microsoft Defender XDR platform. |
| System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) | Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) | Microsoft Intune / MECM (co-managed) | Cloud-native Intune gaining dominance. |
| Intune (standalone) | — | Microsoft Intune (part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager) | Now central in M365 endpoint management. |
| Exchange Server (on-prem) | Exchange Online | Exchange Online (Microsoft 365) | On-prem Exchange still exists, but cloud is preferred. |
| Skype for Business | Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams | Skype for Business Online retired 2021. |
| SharePoint Server | SharePoint Online | SharePoint Online (M365) | Still available on-prem, but Online version dominates. |
| Office Suite (e.g., Office 2016) | Office 365 / Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft 365 Apps (O365) | Subscription model now the norm. |
| Azure AD (AAD) | — | Microsoft Entra ID | Renamed from Azure AD in 2023. |
| Windows Defender | — | Microsoft Defender Antivirus, part of Defender for Endpoint | Unified branding under “Microsoft Defender”. |
| Azure Monitor Logs (Log Analytics) | — | Still Azure Monitor, with expanded features | Central to observability. |
| Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) | SCCM / MECM | Windows Update for Business / Intune | WSUS still exists, but modern management prefers cloud-based. |
| AD FS (Active Directory Federation Services) | Azure AD / Entra ID | Microsoft Entra ID with Conditional Access | ADFS still exists, but largely phased out in favor of cloud auth. |
| MS SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) | Power BI | Power BI | Power BI has replaced most business reporting use cases. |
| MS InfoPath | Power Apps / Forms | Power Apps, Microsoft Forms | InfoPath officially deprecated. |
| Silverlight | HTML5 / .NET MAUI / Blazor | Blazor, .NET MAUI | Silverlight is completely dead. |
| Internet Explorer (IE) | Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Edge (Chromium) | IE is officially retired. |
| Windows Live Mail / Outlook Express | Outlook | Outlook (Web/Desktop) | Outlook fully replaces all legacy mail clients. |
| Windows Phone / Mobile OS | — | Android with Microsoft Launcher / Surface Duo | No longer in development. Android is the go-to with Microsoft services. |
| Visual Studio LightSwitch | Power Apps / Blazor | Power Apps, .NET 8 | Deprecated in favor of low-code and web frameworks. |
| Microsoft Access (legacy) | Power Apps / Dataverse | Still exists, but Power Apps dominates | Still supported, but modern apps use Power Platform. |
Key Trends in 2025:
- Cloud-first:
Microsoft is focusing heavily on cloud-based solutions—on-premises tech is being phased out or integrated with hybrid models. - Unified Security:
All Defender tools (AV, EDR, Identity, Cloud) now fall under the Microsoft Defender XDR platform. - Rebranding:
Many services have been renamed to better fit under Microsoft Entra, Defender, or Microsoft 365. - Low-code/No-code Shift:
Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI) is replacing older custom app or workflow tools like InfoPath or Access.
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