Remove maps app launch page and add deprecation

Remove maps app URI launch page and add deprecation note to other pages that referenced it.

Author: alvinashcraft

.openpublishing.redirection.json

@@ -8762,7 +8762,7 @@
     },
     {
       "source_path": "uwp/launch-resume/launch-maps-app.md",
-      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-default-app",
       "redirect_document_id": false
     },
     {
@@ -8889,6 +8889,11 @@
       "source_path": "hub/apps/develop/actions/index.md",
       "redirect_url": "/windows/ai/app-actions/",
       "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-default-app",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
     }
   ]
 }

hub/apps/develop/launch/index.md

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ This section describes how to use a URI to launch your Windows app.
 | [Launch an app for results](/windows/uwp/launch-resume/how-to-launch-an-app-for-results) | Learn how to launch an app from another app and exchange data between the two. This is called launching an app for results. |
 | [Launch the Windows Settings app](launch-settings-app.md) | Learn how to launch the Windows Settings app from your app. This topic describes the ms-settings URI scheme. Use this URI scheme to launch the Windows Settings app to specific settings pages. |
 | [Launch the Microsoft Store app](launch-store-app.md) | This topic describes the ms-windows-store URI scheme. Your app can use this URI scheme to launch the Microsoft Store app to specific pages in the Store. |
-| [Launch the Windows Maps app](launch-maps-app.md) | Learn how to launch the Windows Maps app from your app. |
 | [Launch the People app](launch-people-app.md) | This topic describes the ms-people URI scheme. Your app can use this URI scheme to launch the People app for specific actions. |
 | [Launch screen snipping](launch-screen-snipping.md) | Learn how to use URI schemes to open a new snip, or to open the Snip & Sketch app. |
 | [Enable apps for websites using app URI handlers](web-to-app-linking.md) | Drive user engagement with your app by supporting the Apps for Websites feature. |

hub/apps/develop/launch/launch-default-app.md

@@ -160,13 +160,18 @@ Use the **http:** URI scheme to launch the default web browser.
 
 ### Maps app URI schemes
 
-Use the **bingmaps:**, **ms-drive-to:**, and **ms-walk-to:** URI schemes to [launch the Windows Maps app](launch-maps-app.md) to specific maps, directions, and search results. For example, the following URI opens the Windows Maps app and displays a map centered over New York City.
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> The Windows Maps app is deprecated and will be removed from the Microsoft Store by July 2025. At this time, there will also be a final update to the app from the Store that makes it nonfunctional. If you remove the app before July 2025, you can still reinstall it from the Store, but past July 2025 you won't be able to reinstall it.
+>
+> For more inforatmion, see [Resources for deprecated features - Maps app](/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features-resources#maps-app).
+
+Use the **bingmaps:**, **ms-drive-to:**, and **ms-walk-to:** URI schemes to launch the Windows Maps app to specific maps, directions, and search results. For example, the following URI opens the Windows Maps app and displays a map centered over New York City.
 
 `bingmaps:?cp=40.726966~-74.006076`
 
 :::image type="content" source="images/mapnyc.png" alt-text="A screenshot of the Windows Maps app.":::
 
-For more info, see [Launch the Windows Maps app](launch-maps-app.md). To use the map control in your UWP app, see [Display maps with 2D, 3D, and Streetside views](/windows/uwp/maps-and-location/display-maps). If you're using Windows App SDK 1.5 or later in a WinUI app or other desktop app, you can use the [MapControl](/windows/windows-app-sdk/api/winrt/microsoft.ui.xaml.controls.mapcontrol).
+To use the map control in your UWP app, see [Display maps with 2D, 3D, and Streetside views](/windows/uwp/maps-and-location/display-maps). If you're using Windows App SDK 1.5 or later in a WinUI app or other desktop app, you can use the [MapControl](/windows/windows-app-sdk/api/winrt/microsoft.ui.xaml.controls.mapcontrol).
 
 ### Messaging app URI scheme
 

hub/apps/toc.yml

@@ -76,8 +76,6 @@ items:
                 href: develop/launch/launch-default-apps-settings.md
               - name: Launch the Microsoft Store app
                 href: develop/launch/launch-store-app.md
-              - name: Launch the Windows Maps app
-                href: develop/launch/launch-maps-app.md
               - name: Launch Snipping Tool
                 href: develop/launch/launch-snipping-tool.md
                 items:

uwp/launch-resume/index.md

@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ The **Launch an app with a URI** section details how to use a Uniform Resource I
 | [Choose and save tones using the ms-tonepicker URI scheme](launch-ringtone-picker.md) | This topic describes the ms-tonepicker URI scheme and how to use it to display a tone picker to select a tone, save a tone, and get the friendly name for a tone. |
 | [Launch the Windows Settings app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-settings-app) | Learn how to launch the Windows Settings app from your app. This topic describes the ms-settings URI scheme. Use this URI scheme to launch the Windows Settings app to specific settings pages. |
 | [Launch the Microsoft Store app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-store-app) | This topic describes the ms-windows-store URI scheme. Your app can use this URI scheme to launch the UWP app to specific pages in the Store. |
-| [Launch the Windows Maps app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app) | Learn how to launch the Windows Maps app from your app. |
 | [Launch the People app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-people-app) | This topic describes the ms-people URI scheme. Your app can use this URI scheme to launch the People app for specific actions. |
 | [Support web-to-app linking with app URI handlers](/windows/apps/develop/launch/web-to-app-linking) | Drive user engagement with your app by using app URI handlers. |
 

uwp/maps-and-location/display-maps.md

@@ -90,9 +90,6 @@ Use a map control to show rich and customizable map data in your app. A map cont
 
 Use a map control when you want a map within your app that allows users to view app-specific or general geographic information. Having a map control in your app means that users don't have to go outside your app to get that information.
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> If you don't mind users going outside your app, consider using the Windows Maps app to provide that information. Your app can launch the Windows Maps app to display specific maps, directions, and search results. For more info, see [Launch the Windows Maps app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app).
-
 ### Add a map control to your app
 
 Display a map on a XAML page by adding a [**MapControl**](/uwp/api/Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Maps.MapControl). To use the **MapControl**, you must declare the [**Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Maps**](/uwp/api/Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Maps) namespace in the XAML page or in your code. If you drag the control from the Toolbox, this namespace declaration is added automatically. If you add the **MapControl** to the XAML page manually, you must add the namespace declaration manually at the top of the page.

uwp/maps-and-location/index.md

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 ---
 title: Maps and location overview
-description: This section explains how you can display maps, use map services, find the location, and set up a geofence in your app. This section also shows you how to launch the Windows Maps app to a specific map, route, or a set of turn-by-turn directions.
+description: This section explains how you can display maps, use map services, find the location, and set up a geofence in your app.
 ms.assetid: F4C1F094-CF46-4B15-9D80-C1A26A314521
 ms.date: 05/27/2025
 ms.topic: article
 keywords: windows 10, uwp, map, location, map services
 ms.localizationpriority: medium
 ---
+
 # Maps and location overview
 
 > [!IMPORTANT]
@@ -19,7 +20,12 @@ ms.localizationpriority: medium
 >
 > For more information, see the [Bing Maps Developer Center](https://www.bingmapsportal.com/) and [Bing Maps documentation](/bingmaps/getting-started/).
 
-This section explains how you can display maps, use map services, find the location, and set up a geofence in your app. This section also shows you how to launch the Windows Maps app to a specific map, route, or a set of turn-by-turn directions.
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> The Windows Maps app is deprecated and will be removed from the Microsoft Store by July 2025. At this time, there will also be a final update to the app from the Store that makes it nonfunctional. If you remove the app before July 2025, you can still reinstall it from the Store, but past July 2025 you won't be able to reinstall it.
+>
+> For more inforatmion, see [Resources for deprecated features - Maps app](/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features-resources#maps-app).
+
+This section explains how you can display maps, use map services, find the location, and set up a geofence in your app.
 
 [**MapControl**](/uwp/api/Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Maps.MapControl) and map services require a maps authentication key called a [**MapServiceToken**](/uwp/api/windows.ui.xaml.controls.maps.mapcontrol.mapservicetoken). For more info about getting and setting a maps authentication key, see [Request a maps authentication key](authentication-key.md).
 
@@ -59,12 +65,6 @@ Get the user's current location and be notified when the location changes in you
 | [Design guidance for geofencing](guidelines-for-geofencing.md) | Performance guidelines for apps that utilize the geofencing feature. |
 | [Set up a geofence](set-up-a-geofence.md) | Set up a geofence in your app, and learn how to handle notifications in the foreground and background. |
 
-## Launch the Windows Maps app
-
-Your app can launch the Windows Maps app as shown here to display specific maps and turn-by-turn directions. Rather than provide map functionality directly in your own app, consider using the Windows Maps app to provide that functionality. For more info, see [Launch the Windows Maps app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app).
-
-![an example of the windows maps app.](images/mapnyc.png)
-
 ## Related topics
 
 * [UWP map sample](https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-universal-samples/tree/master/Samples/MapControl)

uwp/maps-and-location/routes-and-directions.md

@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ ms.localizationpriority: medium
 
 Request routes and directions, and display them in your app.
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> If mapping isn't a core feature of your app, consider launching the Windows Maps app instead. You can use the `bingmaps:`, `ms-drive-to:`, and `ms-walk-to:` URI schemes to launch the Windows Maps app to specific maps and turn-by-turn directions. For more info, see [Launch the Windows Maps app](/windows/apps/develop/launch/launch-maps-app).
-
 ## An intro to MapRouteFinder results
 
 Here's how the classes for routes and directions are related: