Microsoft recently announced that WordPad will be formally desupported and removed from future versions of its Windows platform beginning with Windows 11.
While an official date for desupport was not provided, the company announced the news via the Microsoft company blog last Friday.
The retirement of the familiar and simple word processing app follows a 30-year run where it was included with all version of Windows since Version 3.1 in 1992.
While it never achieved the ubiquity of Notepad, WordPad has a long history as a handy lightweight writing tool.
WordPad was designed to be an accessible middle ground between Notepad and the full-featured Microsoft Word. With basic formatting options like bold, italics, and text alignment, WordPad enabled users to style documents without needing to purchase or master complex word processors.
WordPad was periodically updated with new features like spellcheck, auto complete, and toolbar customization.
It became a staple pre-installed app for generations of Windows users who valued its simplicity and convenience for quick notes, letters, and other short documents.
While Microsoft suggests the more robust Word as an alternative, some users argue WordPad fills a niche as a distraction-free, easy-to-use writing tool.
Nostalgic fans have voiced disappointment over losing WordPad, viewing it as the end of an era of Windows computing.
However, with Notepad remaining available and web apps like Google Docs gaining popularity, the retirement of WordPad reflects the changing landscape of word processing trends and technology.
For many, WordPad represents a beloved relic from the early days of consumer rich text editors.
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