SharePoint Deprecated Features and Their Modern Alternatives

Introduction

With the continuous evolution of SharePoint Online and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Microsoft has been gradually retiring legacy features to modernize the platform. Traditional components such as classic pages, InfoPath forms, and SharePoint Designer workflows were built for on-premises environments and are no longer compatible with the modern cloud architecture.

This article provides a consolidated view of deprecated SharePoint features, the technical reasons for deprecation, and their modern replacements to help developers and administrators plan migrations and modernization efforts effectively.

Why Deprecation Happens

Microsoft’s modernization goals are driven by:

Cloud-first architecture (SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365)
Client-side customization using SPFx (SharePoint Framework)
Security and governance compliance
Improved performance and responsive UX
Integration with Power Platform and Microsoft Graph

The old server-side model (farm solutions, master pages, WSPs, etc.) cannot operate in the multi-tenant cloud model due to dependency on server-side code execution and outdated APIs.

Deprecated Features in SharePoint and Their Modern Replacements

Below is a categorized breakdown of major deprecated or retired features:

1. Save as Site Template (.wsp)

Status: Deprecated in SharePoint Online
Reason: Uses classic WSP/sandbox model incompatible with modern sites.
Modern Alternative:

PnP Provisioning Templates
Site Scripts and Site Designs

These modern methods use PowerShell, REST APIs, and JSON definitions to provision sites securely and consistently across tenants.

2. Classic Publishing Infrastructure

Status: Deprecated
Reason: Based on server-side master pages and layouts.
Replacement:

Modern Communication Sites
Modern Pages with SPFx Web Parts

Modern pages are responsive, faster, and built on client-side rendering with complete Microsoft 365 integration.

3. Classic Web Parts

Status: Replaced
Reason: Limited to classic pages; not responsive or secure.
Replacement:

Modern Web Parts (Text, Hero, Quick Links, File Viewer, etc.)
SPFx Custom Web Parts for advanced scenarios.

4. InfoPath Forms

Status: Deprecated (support until July 2026)
Reason: Legacy form technology not integrated with Microsoft 365 services.
Replacement:

Power Apps for custom form design
Power Automate for process automation

Power Apps integrates seamlessly with SharePoint Lists, Dataverse, and external data sources.

5. SharePoint Designer (SPD) and SPD Workflows

Status: Deprecated (support ends July 2026)
Reason: Server-based workflow engine (Workflow Manager) not supported in Microsoft 365.
Replacement:

Power Automate (Flow)
Logic Apps (for enterprise integration)
SPFx Event Receivers (for advanced customization)

6. SharePoint Workflows (2010 & 2013)

Status: Retired (2010) and scheduled for retirement (2013)
Reason: Workflow platform deprecated in favor of Power Automate.
Replacement:

Power Automate: Low-code, cloud-based workflow automation
Azure Logic Apps: Enterprise-scale integration workflows

7. Sandbox and Farm Solutions

Status: Deprecated and unsupported in SharePoint Online
Reason: Security and scalability limitations due to server-side code.
Replacement:

SPFx (SharePoint Framework) for client-side solutions
PnP PowerShell or CLI for Microsoft 365 for automation

8. Custom Master Pages and Page Layouts

Status: Deprecated
Reason: Modern SharePoint does not use master pages; instead, it uses responsive, themable layouts.
Replacement:

Modern Themes (JSON-based)
SPFx Extensions (Header/Footer customizations)

9. Access Services and Access Web Apps

Status: Retired
Reason: No longer compatible with modern data security and integration needs.
Replacement:

Power Apps + Dataverse or SharePoint Lists

10. Site Mailboxes

Status: Deprecated
Reason: Replaced by Microsoft 365 Groups and shared mailboxes.
Replacement:

Microsoft 365 Group Mailbox
Teams' integration for collaboration

11. Classic Lists, Libraries, and Views

Status: Classic mode retired
Reason: Modern lists provide responsive UX and better filtering/grouping.
Replacement:

Modern SharePoint Lists and Libraries
Microsoft Lists App
Power Apps-based list forms

12. Classic Search Experience

Status: Deprecated
Reason: Legacy search not integrated with M365 ecosystem.
Replacement:

Microsoft Search (modern)
Viva Connections Search
PnP Modern Search Web Parts for customization.

13. Custom Themes (spcolor, spfont)

Status: Deprecated
Reason: Classic theming engine is no longer supported in modern UX.
Replacement:

Modern Theme JSON engine via PowerShell (Add-SPOTheme)
Custom site themes integrated with Microsoft Fluent UI.

14. Access-Based Web Parts and Promoted Links

Status: Deprecated
Replacement:

Quick Links Web Part
Hero Web Part

15. PerformancePoint and Excel Services

Status: Deprecated (on-premises only)

Replacement

Power BI for business intelligence and dashboards
Excel Online for spreadsheet rendering.

Old vs. Modern Feature Mapping

Legacy Feature	Modern Replacement
Save as Site Template	PnP Provisioning / Site Scripts
InfoPath	Power Apps
SharePoint Designer / Workflows	Power Automate
Sandbox / Farm Solutions	SPFx
Classic Pages & Web Parts	Modern Pages / SPFx Web Parts
Classic Themes	JSON Themes
Classic Publishing	Communication Sites
Access Services	Power Apps + Dataverse
Classic Search	Microsoft Search
Site Mailbox	M365 Group Mailbox

Benefits of Modernizing

Responsive and mobile-ready pages
Improved governance and security compliance
Integration with Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Planner, Power BI)
Automation via Power Automate
Extensibility via SPFx and Graph API
Better user experience and performance

Conclusion

SharePoint’s modernization journey is focused on cloud-first, no-code/low-code, and secure extensibility. Organizations that still rely on deprecated technologies like InfoPath, SPD workflows, or classic publishing sites should plan their migration to modern equivalents such as Power Apps, Power Automate, and SPFx. By adopting these modern frameworks and provisioning models, teams can ensure their SharePoint environment remains future-ready, secure, and aligned with Microsoft 365 innovations.