After nearly three decades of being a stalwart in the Windows operating system, Microsoft officially announced removing the iconic Microsoft WordPad. This decision marks the end of an era for a basic word processor that has been a constant companion to Windows users since its debut alongside Windows 95 in 1995. While this news may surprise some, Microsoft’s strategy is clear – promote its premium offering, Microsoft Word, which is a part of the Office 365 subscription.
The End of Microsoft WordPad Journey
WordPad, with its simple interface and basic document editing capabilities, has been a reliable tool for users who need to create and edit text documents without the need for a full-fledged word-processing application. However, as technology evolved, Microsoft shifted its focus away from WordPad, leaving it to languish without significant updates. The last major overhaul occurred with the introduction of the Ribbon UI during the Windows 7 release, giving it a more modern appearance. Still, it couldn’t compete with the advanced features of Microsoft Word.
With WordPad no longer being updated, Microsoft has decided to retire it from future Windows releases. In its place, the company recommends using Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf, signalling a clear preference for their premium word processing solution.
Notepad’s Limited Alternative
As WordPad departs, users may wonder about alternatives. Microsoft has also revamped its free-tier Notepad, adding features like auto-save and auto-restore of tabs, making it more functional for basic text editing. However, Notepad is limited to .txt files and lacks support for rich text document formats. It remains a suitable choice for simple tasks but falls short for those requiring more advanced formatting and features.
The removal of WordPad coincides with Microsoft’s broader strategy of streamlining its software offerings. Recently, the company deprecated the standalone Cortana app in favor of Bing Chat, powered by ChatGPT. Additionally, Microsoft is diligently working on the anticipated Windows 12 OS, the successor to Windows 11, expected to launch in early 2024.
Also read: Microsoft is Retiring Internet Explorer after 27 Years
