Microsoft introduced that it’ll retire Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) troubleshooters in future variations of Windows, with MSDT in the end being eliminated in 2025.
Also often called legacy inbox troubleshooters, these Windows built-in instruments are used to diagnose and repair points affecting some Windows options mechanically.
While the MSDT app that runs them will probably be retired in 2025, the troubleshooters will probably be killed off with the launch of the subsequent Windows 11 launch.
After being retired, some MSDT troubleshooters will probably be redirected to Microsoft’s Get Help platform (beginning later this yr), whereas the remaining ones will probably be eliminated.
You can entry the Get Help troubleshooters from Windows Settings by going to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters and choosing the troubleshooter that might allow you to deal with your points.
According to Redmond’s estimated deprecation timeline, the MSDT deprecation course of will probably be finished in phases over the subsequent three years:
- 2023 – Begin redirecting among the troubleshooters to the brand new Get Help troubleshooting platform
- 2024 – Complete the troubleshooter redirection and take away the remainder of the troubleshooters
- 2025 – Remove the MSDT platform
“If you are operating Windows 11 model 22H2 and older, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 or another earlier OS model, your gadget is not going to be affected by the MSDT Troubleshooter retirement,” Microsoft added.
This is as a result of the legacy inbox troubleshooters will proceed to work as anticipated on earlier Windows OS variations till they’re upgraded or up to date to the most recent launch.
This week’s announcement comes after Microsoft briefly displayed a retirement message inside MSDT’s consumer interface in January 2023.
Likely retired due to safety points
While Redmond does not clarify the explanations behind deprecating MSDT in future Windows variations, a attainable clarification can be MSDT vulnerabilities patched by Microsoft in 2022 after they have been exploited within the wild utilizing zero-day exploits.
Both the DogWalk (CVE-2022-34713) and the Follina (CVE-2022-30190) vulnerabilities permit unauthenticated attackers to achieve distant code execution on unpatched Windows methods in low-complexity assaults.
“A distant code execution vulnerability exists when MSDT is known as utilizing the URL protocol from a calling utility similar to Word. An attacker who efficiently exploits this vulnerability can run arbitrary code with the privileges of the calling utility,” Microsoft mentioned when describing the Follina bug.
“The attacker can then set up applications, view, change, or delete information, or create new accounts within the context allowed by the consumer’s rights.”
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added the 2 safety flaws to its catalog of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities and ordered federal businesses to patch them as quickly as attainable to thwart incoming assault makes an attempt.