Microsoft will erase WordPad with the next Windows 11 upgrade

[Alfonso Maruccia]

In a nutshell: Microsoft has made it abundantly clear that WordPad is slated for retirement. A newly published document outlines a specific timeline for the discontinuation of the longstanding software, indicating that its demise may occur sooner than anticipated.

Microsoft announced the deprecation of WordPad in September 2023, stating that the basic Windows word processor would no longer receive updates. Subsequently, WordPad was completely removed from Windows 11 preview build 26040. Now, the company is disclosing details about how and when the program will be phased out from Windows' integrated software tools.

According to a recently published article by Microsoft regarding resources for deprecated features, WordPad will be eliminated from all supported editions of Windows starting from Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. Windows 11 24H2, the next major update for Windows 11, is expected to be released to users in the second half of 2024.

Microsoft explained to IT professionals that three different binary files associated with WordPad will be deleted as part of the software removal process. This list includes wordpad.exe, wordpadfilter.dll, and write.exe. Consequently, programmers should refrain from implementing a direct dependency on these binaries and the WordPad "brand" itself.

After WordPad is removed, Windows will no longer have a built-in default reader for rich-text format documents. Redmond suggests that users switch to Microsoft Word for complex word processing tasks or to Notepad for plain text documents (.txt). While Notepad remains an integral part of Windows, Microsoft Word is a commercial software, whereas WordPad was available at no additional cost.

WordPad was initially introduced with Windows 95 as a feature-rich replacement for the basic word processor included in Windows since the Windows 1.x era (Write). Microsoft continuously updated and improved the program with each subsequent Windows edition, introducing "modern" features such as Unicode support (Windows XP), support for Word DOC files (Vista), and a Ribbon-styled user interface (Windows 7).

The current market for word processor tools offers ample choices, including free online-based services and open-source, completely offline alternatives like LibreOffice. Alongside WordPad, the upcoming updates to Windows 11 (or the next rumored edition of Windows) will deprecate VBScript, which will be available as an optional on-demand feature before being retired, as well as TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 protocols, and the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool.

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Microsoft will erase WordPad with the next Windows 11 upgrade

 

[BakaRed77]

I didn't even know this was still on my computer.

 

[maxxcool7421]

Cool cool cooooool... I'll just make very sure to NOT use any replacement you come up with and use Notepad++ or Editpad instead.

 

[toooooot]

Could they also erase 365 ads in 11?

 

[Atmajaya2020]

Its been a while since I use wordpad..
its used to be so usefull when I learn how to write a document in my computer..

 

[daffy duck]

Also erase Notepad and copilot and the bogus and utterly useless TPM requirement that has achieved nothing for PC security.

 

[amghwk]

Microsoft will erase WordPad with the next Windows 11 upgrade

Uhmmm...not to be a prick, but... Isn't the word "remove" or "drop" more suitable than "erase"?

 

[Puiu]

I use Notepad++ and Sublime anyway.

 

[Thrackerzod]

People always confuse Wordpad and Notepad for some reason. Wordpad is a word processor, not a text editor. Notepad++ is not a replacement for it.

 

[ZedRM]

Easy way to defeat this, change the ownership of the exe file and then change the security settings to deny the system and trusted installer from altering it. Microsoft can't delete what it doesn't have permission to access.

Additionally, copy the EXE to another folder and change the name of the file, link as needed and Bob's your uncle.

 

[ZedRM]

Uhmmm...not to be a prick, but... Isn't the word "remove" or "drop" more suitable than "erase"?

No. Microsoft intends to delete it from PCs in an upcoming update.

 

[ZedRM]

I didn't even know this was still on my computer.

A lot of people still use it regularly. This is a dumb move on the part of Microsoft.

 

[amghwk]

No. Microsoft intends to delete it from PCs in an upcoming update.

I see. Thanks, that's more understandable.

 

[amghwk]

A lot of people still use it regularly. This is a dumb move on the part of Microsoft.

Yes, it's one of the best software that comes with Windows since those days, even from Win 3.x days. Sad to see MS going to remove it.

I remember someone published a physical book using nothing but Wordpad, as the work material.

 

[ZedRM]

even from Win 3.x days.

Back then it was called "Write.exe". Wordpad didn't come along until Windows 95/98.

 

[amghwk]

Back then it was called "Write.exe". Wordpad didn't come along until Windows 95/98.

Yes, that's correct.