Microsoft Kills WordPad After Almost 30 Good Years

Photo 211917810 © Tomasz Smigla | Dreamstime.com

Microsoft has officially retired WordPad, the basic text editor that has been part of the Windows suite since 1995. The latest Windows 11 Insider build (26020) marks the beginning of the end for WordPad, with the tech giant planning to remove it entirely from the operating system in upcoming updates.

For nearly three decades, WordPad has served as a straightforward, free option for users needing basic document creation and editing. It offered simplicity and accessibility, standing as a less complex alternative to more sophisticated word processors. Despite its limitations, WordPad has been a reliable tool for those who required a basic application for their writing needs.

The Windows Insider Blog recently announced this phase-out, stating that it will not automatically be installed with new OS builds and will eventually be removed entirely. 

“Starting with this build, the WordPad and People apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS,” the blog specifies. “In a future flight, WordPad will be removed on upgrade. WordPad will not be reinstallable. WordPad is a deprecated Windows feature.”

However, the majority of users won’t see these changes immediately. The update is currently in the Canary stage of the Windows 11 Insider program, which is the earliest phase of testing.

WordPad’s retirement is a notable milestone in Windows’ evolution, with the company recently introducing a ‘Copilot’ button, its first new key on keyboards in almost 30 years.

[via XDA Developers and Gizmodo, cover photo 211917810 © Tomasz Smigla | Dreamstime.com]