Microsoft giveth and Microsoft taketh away, and never has that been more true than with the latest version of Windows now rolling out to users' PCs.

Last month, the software giant began dispatching an update to Windows 11 known as 24H2, which brings changes to its flagship operating system, including more AI-based features (if your machine can support them) and big under-the-hood changes. For the most part, what's being added is a little underwhelming.

But it's also notable for what's being removed, including a venerable app that dates back almost 30 years to Windows 95.

Otherwise known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, 24H2 began rolling out to PCs early in October, but it may not yet be on your PC. It comes first to those systems that are best able to handle its new features, then later to other, older machines. But have patience: In most cases, if your PC has the Windows 11 versions designated as 22H2 or 23H2, chances are good it can handle the newest one, unless it has hardware or software that Microsoft believes can cause issues.

And to clear up any confusion: Microsoft releases feature-laden updates annually, typically in the second half of the year, thus the "24H2" designation; that's why there is no "24H1" update. But as Windows guru Ed Bott points out, Microsoft has moved away from annual feature mega-dumps.

"Most of what Microsoft is doing these days is being delivered outside of the annual feature updates," Bott said. "New features can drop in monthly updates or via updates that come to apps and are delivered (in the background) via the Store. So, yeah, looking at this update as something big is missing the new 'continuous innovation' emphasis."

The update is also present on new Windows systems that are designated as Copilot+ PCs, which for now are mostly built around processors that use a design licensed by ARM. These are different Central Processing Units (CPUs) from those made by chip stalwarts Intel and AMD. They use technology similar to those found in Apple's latest Macs, with many of the same benefits - they're faster in most scenarios, consume less energy and run cooler. Their neural components make them good at doing the kind of computation required for artificial intelligence.

Among the features that 24H2 adds:

Live Captions and Translation. Copilot+ PCs have the ability to automatically translate the language in videos and Teams sessions in real-time, on the machine rather than relying on remote servers. You'll need to download a language pack for the each one you want to translate.

Super Resolution. There are two parts of this feature, also for Copilot+ PCs: Automatic Super Resolution improves the quality and frame rate of some games, while Photo Super Resolution can upscale older images into higher-res versions. Right now the number of games supported is limited, but that should grow over time. Non-Copilot+ systems get the ability to use an HDR (very high resolution) image as wallpaper.

Not included on this go-round: Recall, the controversial feature for Copilot+ PCs that "remembers" what you did and makes it searchable, similar to the Rewind app for the Mac that I wrote about a while back. After a disastrous launch, in which it became clear that personal info was stored in plain text, Microsoft yanked it back. It was supposed to return in 24H2, but security issues continued to plague it and it's delayed again. Maybe someday . . .

Windows is 39 years old (version 1.0 launched in November 1985), initially as a user interface on top of MS-DOS, Microsoft's original, text-based operating system. One of Windows' biggest selling points has always been its backwards compatibility with older software and hardware, but that has also been its Achilles' heel in terms of software bloat and security. Microsoft eventually wants to shed the oldest of its legacy code, and that's happening with 24H2.

Among the highest-profile removals: WordPad, the word processor introduced with Windows 95 and that has stuck around for 29 years (and replace the older Microsoft Write). Historically it has had more features and capabilities than Notepad, Windows' text editor, but not as fancy as Word, Microsoft's full-fledged word processor that requires purchase (except for the free-to-use web version at word.cloud.microsoft). When I go to take quick notes on Windows, WordPad is still my app of choice.

When 24H2 hits your PC, you will discover that WordPad no longer exists. If you go to the Program Files/Windows NT/en-us/Accessories folder, it'll be MIA. If you still use WordPad and don't yet have 24H2 you can go to that folder, copy the program's files to a USB drive, then copy them back after the update strips them out.

Or you can follow Microsoft's recommendation, which is to start using Notepad or Word. There are also plenty of third-party, lightweight word processors available in the Microsoft Store as well.

Also being removed is support for Microsoft's Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headsets. If you own one of these, your best bet is to hold off on installing 24H2 when it shows up in Windows Update.

Finally, the files for Cortana, Microsoft's original digital assistant, will be removed. Cortana was deprecated and taken out of service earlier, with Copilot taking its place, but this removal makes it official.