Microsoft is preparing to bid farewell to WordPad, the trusty staple that has graced Windows PCs for nearly three decades. According to certain reports, the Canary Channel of Windows 11 Build 26020 whispered about the upcoming change in the Windows OS. It suggested WordPad will no longer be automatically packed up with the new OS iteration, and its official removal is planned for a future update, with no option for reinstatement. WordPads journey from Windows 95 to Windows 11Introduced with Windows 95, WordPad succeeded the original Microsoft Write as the default text editor. Offering basic formatting functionalities similar to Word with the core text editing capabilities of Notepad, it held a unique position due to its versatility within the Windows ecosystem. Several reports also claimed that this reasoning likely prompted the retirement decision. In the recent feature inclusion in Notepad, autosave was introduced in the Notepad which eclipsed WordPads relevance further. Microsofts Learn post solidifies this shift as it recommended Word for rich text documents and Notepad for plain text, essentially mirroring WordPads historical strengths but through separate applications. People app makes room for OutlookWordPad is not the only familiar face making an exit. People, another veteran Windows app, face a similar fate as its functionalities, particularly contact management, are hammered to be integrated into Outlook for Windows.Farewell to familiar facesAs we wave goodbye to WordPad, its not just a familiar tool we bid adieu to. This move signifies Microsofts commitment to refining its software offerings to better serve the evolving needs of Windows users. While losing a trusted companion like WordPad might feel bittersweet, it ultimately represents a necessary step towards a more focused and efficient text editing landscape within Windows.
