This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.
The end of an era: Goodbye WordPad
Microsoft Bids Farewell to WordPad After 30 Years
Believe it or not, after three decades of service, Microsoft is saying goodbye to WordPad and the app that debuted with Windows 95 and let you open ".doc" files without needing Microsoft Word.
So, why now? And what does this mean for your business?
Microsoft recently announced plans to stop updating WordPad and eventually remove it from Windows altogether. While the exact timeline is still uncertain, it’s definitely on the horizon.
Let’s be honest: how often have you accidentally opened WordPad when you meant to use Notepad? Notepad is for plain text, WordPad for word processing — but the lines often blur. Could this confusion be part of the reason Microsoft is retiring WordPad? Or maybe they’re encouraging users to move toward Microsoft Word, a key component of the Microsoft 365 suite.
According to Microsoft’s updated Windows deprecated features list, they recommend:
- Microsoft Word for rich text editing
- Windows Notepad for plain text
So, WordPad looks set to become a relic of the past.
As a long-time Windows user, I’ll admit I’ve mostly stumbled into WordPad by mistake. If it disappears, I won’t lose sleep — there are plenty of great word processors out there, and I’m a fan of Word myself.
But if you’re a diehard WordPad fan, there’s still a chance. Microsoft is inviting feedback via the Windows Feedback Hub app. If enough users speak up, WordPad could live on as an optional app available through the Microsoft Store, albeit with fewer updates.
Need help choosing the best word processing tools or apps for your business?Get in touch with us and we’re here to guide you through the best software choices to keep your team productive.
