Yes, WordPad is on its way out of the Windows Operating System. This piece of software has been in Windows since 1995. Now, however, it’s no longer being updated and at some point will be removed from Windows altogether.

I Never Heard Of WordPad

For many Windows users, the fact that WordPad exists is a shock. Even when people see the program listed, many haven’t a clue why it’s there or how to use it. Let’s see if I can enlighten you.

What Is WordPad?

WordPad originally was a part of Windows so that people could open Rich Text Format (.rtf) files. It differed from NotePad in that you could use different font colors; you could change text to bold, italics, or underline it; and there were other features, too. You can’t do any of these things in NotePad.

How Do You Find WordPad?

If you’ve never used WordPad, you should check it out before it goes away. In Windows 10 or 11, just use the search bar and input “WordPad” with or without the quotes. Open it up and play around with it. You’ll see all the extra features it has over NotePad.

What Can I Use Instead?

There are many alternatives to WordPad. Of course, Microsoft Word would be at the top of the list. Beyond that, there are, to name a few, Google Docs, Libre Office Writer, and WordPerfect (Yes, it still exists!). A search on Bing or Google will give you even more choices.

All these alternatives are examples of why Microsoft is getting rid of WordPad.

Conclusion

If you have used WordPad, now’s the time to figure out your alternative. If you’ve never used it, as I suggested above, check it out before it’s gone!