Windows App Essentials add-on: version 25.08, preparing to say goodbye to the add-on, removing the add-on from Windows 10 systems

[joseph....@gmail.com]

Hi all,

The following announcement is applicable if you are using Windows App Essentials add-on:

Windows App Essentials 25.08 is on its way – it will be released on July 29, 2025 shortly after 00:00 UTC (evening of July 28^th where I live). This is one of two 25.08.x releases planned, the other is 25.08.1 to be released shortly after NVDA 2025.2 release candidate is published (early August).

You may have noticed that I chose July 29^th as Windows App Essentials 25.08 release date. This is significant for three reasons: first, that date is tenth anniversary of Windows 10. Ten years ago, on July 29, 2015, we leaped into the era of modern Windows with the first Windows 10 version (1507). While several million people were using Windows 10 for a few months as Windows Insiders, it would not be until July 2015 that modern Windows, characterized by constant change, made its debut. The NVDA project spent months preparing for Windows 10, and a few weeks after Windows 10 Version 1507 release, we had NVDA 2015.3, the first NVDA release compatible with Windows 10.

Second, this occasion makes us think about the journey we took to arrive at this moment. Ten years ago, generative AI was only a thing talked about by researchers and enthusiasts. Ten years ago, there was no such thing as Windows App Essentials add-on. Ten years ago, awareness of need to make apps accessible was scant. Ten years later, we have Copilot and similar generative AI tools. Ten years later, NVDA is viewed as one of the best screen readers for use on Windows 10 and 11. Ten years later, people are talking about more ways to make the computing experience accessible for screen reader users.

Third, on a personal level, this occasion gives me an opportunity to think back to my own add-on development journey. I put my heart and soul into Windows App Essentials add-on, reminding myself that early access to upcoming features was one way to bring awareness of accessibility issues requiring possible workarounds. Yet all things must come to an end, and as we say goodbye to Windows App Essentials add-on in October 2025 (see below), I feel this occasion (25.08 release) is a good opportunity to think back to the impact of this add-on for the last ten years.

Speaking of letting go, I did say in the past that the add-on is on its way out as all of the add-on’s features are part of NVDA (especially in upcoming 2025.2 release). I wasn’t sure about the end of life date until now:

I (Joseph Lee), the creator of Windows App Essentials add-on, hereby announce that October 14, 2025 will be the add-on’s sunset date.

Prior to the sunset date, there will be four add-on releases:

• 25.08: the upcoming release scheduled for July 29, 2025, requiring Windows 11 24H2
• 25.08.1: NVDA 2025.2 compatibility release, to be published shortly after NVDA 2025.2 release candidate is released
• 25.09: requires NVDA 2025.2 (to be released at least two weeks after 2025.2 stable version is published)
• 25.10: farewell release, end of support for Windows 10 series

 

Depending on the Windows release you are using:

• Windows 10: you can now remove the add-on from your computers – the add-on does nothing at this point. Further, starting from 25.08, add-on documentation and user interface messages will reference Windows 11. Also, Windows App Essentials WILL NOT support extended security updates.
• Windows 11: please keep the add-on for a while, but just like Windows 10, I will be asking folks to remove the add-on from Windows 11 soon. In the meantime, version 25.08 will require 24H2.

 

Thank you for your support for Windows App Essentials add-on for the last ten years. Enjoy the upcoming release.

Cheers,

Joseph

[Mujtaba Merchant]

Hi Joseph,

 

Although I haven't personally used the Windows App Essentials add-on, I want to acknowledge the significant impact it has had on the NVDA user community. Your dedication and hard work have undoubtedly improved the experience of many users on Windows, and I'm grateful for the value it provided during its tenure.

 

I'm looking forward to the upcoming release and appreciate your transparency about the add-on's sunset date. Your efforts in ensuring a smooth transition to NVDA's built-in features are commendable.

 

Thank you for your contributions to the NVDA community, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

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[David Moore]

I cannot express enough thanks for how much Windows App Essentials has helped me use Windows 10 and 11, ever since you made the first version of the add-on! Thank you so much, Joseph for this add-on and all that you have given to the NVDA screenreader and the community! 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/000f01dbfebc%24fb67eb40%24f237c1c0%24%40gmail.com.

[Ian]

thanks Joseph for your work on windows app essentials and other addons 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/000f01dbfebc%24fb67eb40%24f237c1c0%24%40gmail.com.