Microsoft Changing Windows 10 Timeline Functionality

Microsoft first presented its timeline in 2017, after a preview phase the feature was then distributed to all users in spring 2018. But they ignored the inherently ambitious functionality and therefore it is not surprising that the quasi-end is now coming.

The “timeline” of Windows 10 actually wanted to offer a comprehensive history of all conceivable activities and that across device boundaries. The idea: documents, the current status of the browser history and programs should be immediately accessible on all devices used by the user. Users should be able to switch “seamlessly” from Windows 10 to a mobile device (or vice versa) and continue working etc. immediately.

The problem: Almost all users ignored the timeline functionality. Microsoft does not give any numbers for this, but it can be assumed that the timeline was a practically unused feature. Most recently, the Redmond company saw off several important pillars of the timeline, Cortana, in autumn 2020 the timeline was also removed from the Microsoft Launcher for Android.

No more syncing

In the Insider Preview Build 21359 released yesterday evening, there is a passage in the changes that states that those who have synchronized the activity history across the Microsoft account across devices no longer have the opportunity to upload new activities to the timeline – for normal users, However, this will not be up to date until next autumn, i.e. with version 21H2.

Specifically, this means that the timeline is basically purchased. Shortly after the blog post on Build 21359 was released, Microsoft added a clarification on the timeline and notes: “The timeline and all of your local activity history will be preserved under Windows 10.”

Compared to The Verge, the group also announced that the timeline does not disappear, but only “a capability within the timeline that is specific for cross-device roaming.” Still, that means nothing more than the death of the timeline, as cross-device access was essentially the whole point of the timeline.