Microsoft has officially announced the retirement of WordPad, the venerable text editor that has been a staple of Windows operating systems for nearly three decades. This move, confirmed in the Windows 11 24H2 update, marks the end of an era for the simple yet functional application that bridged the gap between Notepad and full-fledged word processors like Microsoft Word.

The End of an Era

WordPad first appeared in Windows 95 as a replacement for the older Windows Write application. Over the years, it became known for its ability to handle rich text format (RTF) documents while remaining lightweight compared to Microsoft Word. Its removal is part of Microsoft's ongoing effort to streamline Windows by deprecating legacy components.

"WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows," Microsoft stated in an official documentation update. The company recommends Microsoft Word for rich text documents and Windows Notepad for plain text files as alternatives.

Why Microsoft is Removing WordPad

Several factors contributed to this decision:

  • Declining Usage: With cloud-based alternatives and more powerful free options available, WordPad usage had dropped significantly.
  • Maintenance Costs: Maintaining legacy code requires resources that could be better spent on modern features.
  • Security Considerations: Older applications can present security vulnerabilities if not properly maintained.
  • Feature Overlap: WordPad's functionality is largely duplicated by other Microsoft applications.

Impact on Windows Users

For most users, the removal will have minimal impact:

  • Word documents will automatically open in Microsoft Word
  • RTF files can be handled by Word or other modern text editors
  • Plain text files will default to the improved Windows Notepad

However, some long-time Windows users may feel nostalgic about losing this familiar application that was often their first introduction to word processing beyond basic text editing.

Alternatives to WordPad

Microsoft suggests several alternatives:

  1. Microsoft Word (paid)
    - Full-featured word processor
    - Part of Microsoft 365 subscription

  2. Windows Notepad (free)
    - Recently updated with modern features
    - Excellent for plain text editing

  3. Word Online (free)
    - Web-based version with basic formatting
    - Requires Microsoft account

  4. Third-party options:
    - LibreOffice Writer (free)
    - Google Docs (free)
    - Notepad++ (free)

How to Prepare for the Change

Users who rely on WordPad should:

  • Export any custom templates or frequently used documents
  • Set new default applications for .rtf and other document formats
  • Consider migrating to one of the alternative applications

For those who want to keep using WordPad despite its deprecation, it may be possible to:

  • Copy the WordPad executable from an older Windows version
  • Use third-party tools to restore removed components
  • Create system restore points before updating

The Bigger Picture: Windows Modernization

WordPad's removal is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to modernize Windows:

  • Focus on cloud integration: Pushing users toward cloud-based solutions like Office 365
  • Performance improvements: Removing legacy code helps streamline the OS
  • Security enhancements: Reducing the attack surface by eliminating outdated components

This follows other recent changes like:

  • The retirement of Internet Explorer
  • Major updates to the classic Notepad
  • Introduction of AI features in Windows 11

What This Means for the Future

The deprecation of WordPad signals Microsoft's commitment to:

  1. Moving users toward subscription-based services
  2. Reducing maintenance of legacy applications
  3. Focusing on modern productivity solutions

While some users may lament the loss of this familiar tool, the computing landscape has evolved significantly since WordPad's introduction in 1995. Today's users have access to more powerful, feature-rich alternatives—many of them free.

Final Thoughts

WordPad served generations of Windows users well, providing basic document editing capabilities without the complexity of full word processors. Its retirement marks another step in Windows' evolution from a locally-installed operating system to a platform deeply integrated with cloud services and modern productivity tools.

As we say goodbye to this piece of computing history, we can appreciate how far personal computing has come—and look forward to what Microsoft has in store for the future of document creation and editing on Windows.