Deprecated Software on My Windows 10 Machine

Question

Deprecated Software on My Windows 10 Machine

Nobody 65

On 10/18/2026 on computer startup, two files appeared in the Windows Temp folder: 'msdt' and 'msdtadmin'. According to Microsoft, MSDT was deprecated in 2025.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/deprecation-of-microsoft-support-diagnostic-tool-msdt-and-msdt-troubleshooters

Which culprit would be running that tool? Where is it on my Windows 10 machine?

EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-19T18:35:58.8333333+00:00

If this happens at startup only, it can be triggered by the startup app.

What exactly does the error message say? Can you share a screenshot so I can determine further. Did it try to launch the app, or did it say certain files are not found?

Answer accepted by question author

EmilyS726 280.2K Independent Advisor

Ok, so you checked manually? If this was a pop up, that could be due to something driver it, that's why I was trying to distinguish that.

Anyway, your core question -

Same article you referenced -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/deprecation-of-microsoft-support-diagnostic-tool-msdt-and-msdt-troubleshooters

Did you see this following section (screenshot)

User's image

Windows 10 is not affected and will continue to use the older troubleshooting tools.

Nobody 65 Reputation points

2026-10-20T16:48:22.2533333+00:00

Thank you.

1 additional answer

Your answer

EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-19T18:35:58.8333333+00:00

If this happens at startup only, it can be triggered by the startup app.

What exactly does the error message say? Can you share a screenshot so I can determine further. Did it try to launch the app, or did it say certain files are not found?
Nobody 65 Reputation points

2026-10-20T16:48:22.2533333+00:00

Thank you.

Answer 1

Nobody 65

What is "..the startup app"?

What error message? Screenshot of what? The two empty folders?

"Did it try to launch the app.."? What is 'it' in this context? What app? The "Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT)"? What else besides MSDT would create two folders in Windows Temp named 'msdt' and 'msdtadmin'?

I think someone missed the point of the question. Why is Microsoft software deprecated in 2025 running on a machine in 2026? And where does that software reside on this machine?

EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-20T15:07:31.95+00:00

You said, "on computer startup, two files appeared in the Windows Temp folder"

So to me that sounds like something pops up upon computer start up, hence I want to see the screenshot to see how this temp folder is presented to you.. did it pop up on its own upon starting up, or did you actually find the folder yourself?
Nobody 65 Reputation points

2026-10-20T16:10:36.5066667+00:00

I check the Windows Temp folder on a regular basis. "Pops up" means not seen in Windows Temp previously, but now suddenly they are there.

But again, we stray from the core question.