Microsoft Announces Retirement of WordPad in Future Windows Release
- ByStartupStory | September 4, 2023
Microsoft has officially declared its intention to discontinue the development of WordPad, the long-standing basic word processing application integrated into the Windows operating system since Windows 95. In an issued support note, Microsoft has confirmed that “WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows.” This decision aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to streamline its software portfolio and concentrate on more feature-rich alternatives.
WordPad has been a straightforward word processor available within Windows for many years, providing a lightweight solution for creating basic documents. However, Microsoft acknowledges that its advanced word processing software, Microsoft Word, has consistently offered a much broader spectrum of features and capabilities.
The support note advises users to consider Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf and Windows Notepad for plain text documents like .txt. This recommendation is in line with Microsoft’s strategy to provide specialized tools for various document types.
While Microsoft has actively updated other text-related applications like Notepad, incorporating features such as autosave and automatic tab restoration, WordPad has not received similar attention in recent years.
This decision comes on the heels of Microsoft’s announcement to enhance Notepad with new features, underscoring the company’s commitment to enhancing the overall user experience with its software offerings.
Although the specific timeframe for WordPad’s removal remains undisclosed, it is anticipated to coincide with the release of Windows 12, expected in 2024. This upcoming Windows version is rumored to introduce numerous AI-powered features, representing another milestone in Microsoft’s continuous software development.
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