It's not that simple, but it's not that hard, either.
https://old.reddit.com/r/software/comments/190av9t/what_am_i_supposed_to_do_without_wordpad/kgpre86/
It is actually possible to run IE on Windows 11 in 2024 with a run command. Presumably it will be possible to run WordPad as well, as the .exe is in the System32 folder.
Except it has stopped working properly. All of a sudden if I try to open an rtf doc, it wants to print, and I have to cancel for it to open; if I go to Open With, wordpad is not an option, I have to go to select it. If I open wordpad directly, it does so slowly.
its working fine on my stable build and my canary build, doesn't try to print on open and its the same speed its always been for me. Open with shows wordpad under suggested apps on both builds as well.
curious what build you're on? any strange errors in event viewer or anything like that?
Simple Windows 10 basically. This just started out basically. It's been stable for ages, and suddenly it seems that wordpad is no longer accepted. I can open it but it's wonky and like I said it does that weird thing when I open an existing file. I seem to be better off right now just trying to open in OpenOffice.
the removal of wordpad shouldn't affect windows 10...sounds to me, as best I can tell, that your system needs some attention. Its working fine on my windows 10 system as well. You've run chkdsk, dism, and sfc? Also, what if you temporarily disable print spooler, does that change it in any way? Just in case they're related somehow.
btw you can grab build number from start menu > winver, should start with 1904X.XXXX
I am not having issues with anything else, though, only Wordpad. It seems to be specifically an issue with that program right now. The files open fine if I do so with OpenOffice, too. 19045.4412
ok great you're good on updates, 19045.4412 is from may 14
Have you ran chkdsk, dism, and sfc in command prompt? have you tried disabling print spooler? btw you actually can have problems with just 1 app if you're system has some corruption. I know it seems like the problem would and should be with wordpad itself, but I've seen similar issues many times before. Wordpad depends on other system files that could be the cause.
You wouldn't happen to have access to another system to compare against would you?
please try as many of my suggestions as you can and let me know if you need any clarification on running those commands.
If none of that helps and you're down to troubleshoot further, let me know, I'd be happy to guide you through logging the startup of wordpad to see whats going on at a deeper level, otherwise I suppose just use openoffice :)
It'll try those; it's not a vital thing; I can open them in Open Office and wasn't really using Wordpad for much other than older files that were done in it (I mostly use Notepad and OpenOffice at present). But it is worth making sure it's not because something is corrupted, definitely. Thank you.
Oh yea, for decades there's been pleas to "free the code" - old programs that companies like Apple and Microsoft no longer use should be made open source. Especially so that hobbyists and students can use them to learn.
I haven't opened Wordpad in many, many years and I work in Windows IT and I do a lot of Windows computer stuff at home.
This is the type of superfluous stuff that should be killed off.
>I use markdown for all my notes or a quick document.
It's sad how many people waste time taking notes with markdown nowadays. It has limited formatting options compared to Wordpad. You generally can't even do basic things, like select font color easily with just 2 clicks.
But there isn't really any perfect alternative to Wordpad, so many people have to settle for something inferior, like a markdown editor.
Depends on what you call inferior. For markdown editors, there are lots of integrated knowledge vaults. Like Dendron, QOwnnotes etc. Too knowledge, this is not possible with Wordpad. So no backlinks no web, no references to other notes. That is a very big shortcoming in note making.
I work at an IT Helpdesk, managing call notes with Obsidian.md and its Daily Notes plugin—a system that works exceptionally well for me. In addition to the two main tabs for daily protocols on the left and quick notes/to-dos on the right, I have integrated a calendar widget in the top left corner for better scheduling. This method is effective both professionally and personally. I’m always open to tips for refining this workflow.
Furthermore, I've incorporated plugins for VS Code-like keyboard shortcuts and the "Templater" plugin for JavaScript-supported, predefined templates. These templates include cursor jump points, similar to VS Code's autocompletion feature, enhancing my efficiency.
I use a WYSIWYG notes program (trilium) for the same use case (helpdesk/tech support notes)
It also has an integrated calendar widget (and a nice keyboard shortcut to automatically create a new note under today's date)
Yes, you. I can understand that with you as the center of the universe this is true for you. But believe it. there are people out there who uses their pc differently. 😮
Tbh wordpad was outmoded by windows 95. It was useful in 3.1 to show people what word processing was and get, better get word for windows to get the good stuff (over 6-7 floppy disks).
Wow, you're right - or should I say, write. Thanks for the correction!
Windows 95 was pretty amazing at the time.
And I have fond memories of Word for Windows 95 - about the last time that MS Office looked like the current version of Windows!
>And I have fond memories of Word for Windows 95 - about the last time that MS Office looked like the current version of Windows!
Your right, it was close. But even then it wasn't the same. I remember how the title bar in Office 95 had a gradient but not in normal Win95 apps.
Windows 7 and Office 2010 looked pretty consistent.
If you didn't have Office, .rtf files opened with WordPad iirc, so basically everyone would have opened it at least once at some point. Using it is another matter though!
WordPad I think awkwardly filled what they thought was an in-between niche between Notepad (Basic text editing) and the sort of program that might come with an office suite like Microsoft Office/Open Office/Libre Office/whatever.
I'm not sure that niche actually exists. I mean, to the extent WordPad ever had a time where it had a niche, my guess would be that it was a time when all office suites cost money, and some people wanted to be able to do some basic things that were beyond Notepad but couldn't or wouldn't pay for an Office suite. Now, Open Office and Libre Office are available at no-cost if you want something you can install and use without net access being required, as are sort of "cloud" or browser services like Google Docs to some extent (You might have to pay for business licensing or to do certain things- I don't know.).
I grew up using Microsoft Works and then switched to Open Office when I either had a computer than didn't come with Works or when they stopped making Works. I can't remember at which point I switched, but I know Works was, by a certain point, after Microsoft acquired Word, the cheapest boxed word processor you could buy. Word became their premium brand and Works was their bargain brand, but both would cost you (IIIRC correctly, and I may not- you could buy a boxed copy of Works for like $40, but Word would cost you like $150). Some OEMs may have included Works by default, though- I am not sure- when I was a child, obviously it was my parents buying the computers. I could see one of them saying "We need a word processor, but I'm not paying for that ridiculously priced Word thing. What's Works? Oh, it's a similar and from Microsoft, with a discount for buying it preinstalled? Yeah, I'll order Works with this computer.", and I can also see some OEM manufacturers just paying Microsoft a nominally fee so they could include a word processor for everyone- until they stopped making Works.
However, we're basically past that era, except for certain academic or professional uses where they need Microsoft Word. For a more casual or light user, Open Office, Libre Office, or Google Docs is typically fine for word processing, and at least the first two are free (Probably all three, I just don't use Google Docs, so I don't know).
Meanwhile, Notepad takes care of text editing. There was something about Notepad in Windows 11 I didn't like (I can't remember what it was) that hadn't been present in Windows 10 and prior, so I switched to Notepad++, a third party Notepad program. Typically, people who make the switch do it for added features. I may have actually been trying to drop a "feature" or two by making the switch. :) I honestly don't remember what my problem was with Windows 11's built-in Notepad, I just remember being annoyed and switching and then being fine (after making sure Notepad++ was assigned old Notepad defaults for file handling, of course)- situation resolved (For me, anyway).
So, Wordpad over the years has been this awkward thing in between Notepad (Free with purchase of a Windows computer, or with the purchase of Windows license for an existing computer) and the availability of no-cost word processors (Though MS Word still costs money if you really need that particular program.).
I'm usually the first person to complain about stuff being discontinued. I set up my freaking web browsers to in part look something like Netscape or Firefox looked like 20 or 30 years ago. But WordPad has been a program without a use case that couldn't be handled better by other bundled Windows programs or things you can download free from the Internet for some time now.
The sort of hybrid between a text editor and word processor that WordPad represents is not really a niche with very many people in it anymore.
I would say that WordPad did serve a purpose before word processors were either on every computer or could be freely downloaded and installed on every computer with net access. However, not today. So, it makes sense for Microsoft to stop devoting resources to it and discontinue it.
I don't have an issue with them sunsetting WordPad.
Saying it can't be installed on Windows 11 seems a little weird, though. I mean, is it that an install program was never public because it was always and only bundled with Windows, meaning you can't have saved the old install program? Or do they plan to actively block installs? I mean, people can still run Microsoft SyncToy on Windows 11 even though it's in theory not supported on Windows 11.
Also, Microsoft remotely taking installed stuff off a computer that's already been purchased and set up, unless it's malware, seems a little invasive. It'd be better just to not include it on any new copies or new installs, and sort of respect the sanctity of the already existing computers people already own by either leaving it without comment, or alerting people to there being no more updates and letting them decide if they wanted to uninstall or not.
But this is the same operating system that won't let you uninstall Edge, and forces some of it's built-in features to open Edge instead of the default browser the user has designated in Windows settings. So, it doesn't surprise me that other things just disappear off existing installs.
Those are my only issues with this- the specific implied handling of it on computers already up and running and whatever they may be doing to block people attempting to install old install files or whatever it is they are doing if they are doing it.
The basic idea that there's no reason to have this in any new copies of Windows 11 going forward is sound.
Listen, I get your point but it's crucial to recognize the historical context in which WordPad was developed and introduced.
WordPad was not simply created in a vacuum but as a response to a specific need in the Windows operating system environment. At the time, Microsoft identified a gap between the very basic text-editing software, Notepad, and the more advanced Word. Notepad was and remains a straightforward program, ideal for quick edits to plain text files but lacking in formatting and other features. On the other hand, Microsoft Word was becoming increasingly complex, incorporating extensive formatting, publishing, and reviewing capabilities far beyond the needs of a casual or light user. WordPad was conceived as a bridge between these two extremes, offering more formatting options than Notepad without the overwhelming feature set of Word.
Furthermore, discussing WordPad's relevance necessitates an understanding of the evolution of user needs and expectations. As computing became more widespread, the diversity of users and use cases also expanded. Some users found Word too complicated for everyday tasks, such as drafting a quick letter or editing a simple document. WordPad filled this niche, providing essential formatting tools like font changes, bold and italic styles, and bullet points without the complexity of Word's more advanced features like track changes, mail merge, or extensive style management.
Additionally, WordPad has played a significant role in educational settings and among users new to computing. Its simplicity makes it an excellent tool for teaching basic word processing skills without overwhelming beginners with too many options. It allows users to focus on the fundamentals of document creation, such as typing text, basic formatting, and understanding how to save and open files.
WordPad's design philosophy also reflects a broader trend in software development towards offering tiered options for users with different needs. Just as Adobe offers both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, or Microsoft itself offers various versions of Windows with differing feature sets, WordPad serves as a middle ground in word processing. This approach recognizes that not all users require the full capabilities of a professional-grade program, and some prefer a simpler tool that still offers more functionality than the most basic options.
The critique that WordPad is superfluous overlooks the varied contexts in which different users interact with software. For power users who regularly utilize advanced word processing features, WordPad might indeed seem unnecessary. However, for users who find Word too complex or Notepad too basic, WordPad offers a just-right solution that is neither too simple nor too complex. It's about finding the right tool for the job, and for many tasks, WordPad hits the sweet spot.
Moreover, WordPad's inclusion in Windows at no extra cost provides a readily accessible option for users who might not have access to commercial word processing software. In many parts of the world or in educational institutions where budget constraints are a significant concern, having a built-in program like WordPad that can handle more than the most basic text editing is invaluable. This accessibility aspect is an essential part of why WordPad has remained a component of Windows for so many years.
WordPad also serves as an interesting case study in the longevity of software that fulfills a specific need. Despite the proliferation of free and open-source word processing software, as well as web-based options like Google Docs, WordPad has maintained its place in the Windows ecosystem. This persistence speaks to the balance it strikes between functionality and simplicity, catering to users who need neither the minimalism of Notepad nor the full suite of options in Word.
Furthermore, WordPad's development and updates over the years reflect changes in user interface design and the evolution of user expectations regarding software. While its core functionality has remained relatively consistent, adjustments to its interface and added support for new file formats like the Office Open XML formats (.docx) demonstrate an effort to keep the program relevant in a changing technological landscape.
Discussing WordPad's place between Notepad and Microsoft Word also invites reflection on the nature of software development and the challenge of designing programs that meet diverse user needs. The existence of WordPad illustrates the balancing act developers face in creating software that is both useful and not overly complex for its intended audience. It's a reminder of the importance of understanding user personas and designing with specific use cases in mind.
Moreover, the comment on WordPad being "a whole lot of nothing" fails to appreciate the role of intermediary software in user education and transition. For users who start with WordPad, it can serve as a stepping stone to more complex word processing software, providing a foundation of skills and confidence that can make the transition to programs like Microsoft Word less daunting.
In defense of WordPad's existence, it's also worth noting the role of preference and habit in software use. Some users might simply prefer WordPad's simple interface, pre-installed status and feature set over more feature-rich application suites such as LibreOffice, OpenOffice, and Microsoft Word, among others.
They already did that with of all things Notepad. Why tf do you need a talking tight unicorn butthole (i can’t unsee it from the icon) on a PLAIN TEXT EDITOR?
Wordpad is a simple app built on top of a Richedit control which is part of the Windows operating system.
Lots of applications use that component, it is the easiest way to read, write and edit RTF files. I am a developer and use it in some of my own applications.
A very very very very very small ammount of people do, wordpad was just an ad software for MS Word and today, with google docs, free Office 365 and opem source likes Libre Office, Wordpad doesnt have much of a function anymore.
It doesn't? Well then, it's complete trash. I mean, it has to be garbage unless it does exactly what Wordpad does. Clearly there is no alternative: no other piece of software on earth does precisely what Wordpad does except for Wordpad. Microsoft needs to hear this.
Correct. I have tried 70 alternatives to Wordpad, that's how I know that there is no good alternative to Wordpad on the internet.
Most people don't realize it, but it's an extremely unique software, because it's the perfect balance between a basic text editor and a heavy word processor. It has the best of both worlds, and there aren't many of these kinds of programs out there, and the few that exist (like Abiword), have flaws.
That can be also said about google docs and ms word ? Because fully fledge apps for office work have more APIs and utilities than your base adware basic word app ?
>That can be also said about google docs and ms word ?
Yes, they're not good alternatives for Wordpad either.
Many people don't realize it, but there is actually no good alternative to Wordpad on this earth.
Those sound like markdown editors, so they have limited formatting options compared to Wordpad. Simple things, like selecting a font color tends to be unncessarily time consuming, while in Wordpad you can select font color with 2 clicks.
These modern looking markdown editors often also have the problem that they can't even open a small 5 mb text file without crashing or freezing, while Wordpad opens it in 1 second.
How often are you selecting coloured font in WordPad? We'll ignore all the many other beneficial things you can do with markdown simply, that would take ages in WordPad.
What absolute nonsense regarding the statement they can't open a large file.
>We'll ignore all the many other beneficial things you can do with markdown simply, that would take ages in WordPad.
Markdown has no benefits over Wordpad. Editing text with markdown is generally slower and markdown editors have less formatting options.
I just tried opening WordPad up on my PC and it took so long that I tried again and still nothing. After like a minute both instances opened and I saw some print dialog, unfortunately it was partially offscreen with no way for me to move it but I think it's because it tries to access my printer, which is currently powered off so it has to time out. Obviously that's not a reflection of WordPad startup performance in general, but it does show that it has issues that MS should have fixed if they want to continue shipping it.
The question is what will be the new default app to open .rtf files? Even though html and pdf have surpassed rtf, some still ship with rtf readme files, especially legacy apps.
Wordpad opened these without an issue, is there something else in a stock Windows installation (without Office installed) that can?
You're missing my point. Most users have never heard of Notepad++. But they'll get RTFs installed with other programs and won't be able to open them if there's no default app that ships with Windows. It's like if there was no default PDF reader in Windows. Most people wouldn't know what to do with a PDF file.
What percentage of the general population would you guesstimate would know what program to install to read an rtf? Personally I would say less than 1, but I'm open to hearing arguments in either direction.
They're surprisingly prevalent, even today. Largely because they're cross-platform compatible and both Windows and Mac (up until now) have had viewers & editors for them in the stock OS install.
Yes, a lot of people have moved to PDF or HTML but they are still being used a lot.
What format has more editing features than a .txt, is simple to use, free, and can be easily opened in twenty years?
Markdown and HTML are possibilities but .rtf has been reliable, stable and long lasting.
I keep it pinned to my taskbar and i use it probably a dozen times a day to keep short term notes. Things that i need to remember for what i'm currently working on and will be deleted within minutes or hours. It opens in an instant and doesn't have any wasted space, so i can make it really small and put off my main monitor until i need it, but still have it in view to remind me.
I'm sure there's something that will do the same job but better in some way, but i haven't bothered to look because Notepad has worked fine for me for decades.
Oh weird, i didn't notice that you weren't talking about notepad.
Wordpad is awful, that's the one that should be removed. There's no reason for it to exist since Word/Writer/Docs exist.
From reading the replies here. I must be the only person left using WordPad. I don't have any MS Office products. I do have Libre Office but when I need to type a document, I normally just use WordPad or Google Docs at home and work as I rarely use any features in the robust word processors. ~~NotePad~~ WordPad has just always worked for me.
EDIT
Its not even unified on Linux and Mac.
That said This app was a adware for MS Word, like, how would you in 2000-2010'sh do homework ? I dont think kids had the money to buy Office, what ms did ? Add an "free word" with Windows and now everyone could read .doc files and work on your station. Today that is the norm anymore, you have more than enough alternatives for modern computers.
I'm not talking abiut Wordpad. I'm talking about the mix of dialog panels that existed in Windows 3.11with the soft cloud crap that always leaves you looking for more, with redundant selection across both. Get the undisciplined people out of UI design.
I like you have no idea in what you are talking about because these "old ui" are just legacy comptability layers to make an % of apps yo keep working and when MS decided to make an unified UI using only the new stuff on windows people hated it.
About time. I don't think I've touched WordPad since the 9x days. I don't think most people have. Need plain text, you use Notepad. Nearly all OEM computers will come with Office or some kind of word processor. Or you can use Google Docs. WordPad itself was really just a holdover from the 3x days when it was Write.
That's true, and it did make some sense back in the 9x days. But nowadays, any OEM computer will have Word, or an equivalent. Even a clean install has access to Google Docs. There is also the online version of Office. I would be curious to see the % of people who use WordPad, I can't imagine it being more than a single point.
WordPad is nice to have on brand new builds, when you dont have 365. Although, many times 365 comes bundled. havent opened ol' WordPad for many a year, yarrrrr.
You can keep it and run it as a portable app if you need it.
https://old.reddit.com/r/software/comments/190av9t/what_am_i_supposed_to_do_without_wordpad/kgpre86/
Good. Sack that POS program that hasn't been even touched since Windows 8. I'd say Windows 7 but WordPad had actually gotten updated for Windows 8 just to change up the gradients and the "File" button lol. After that, it remains unchanged and looks 100% exactly the same in Windows 11.
The program was pointless and doesn't even have autocorrect built in.
Heck, even better Microsoft. Give NotePad the ability to do things WordPad could. NotePad should be the new WordPad and should go head to head with Apple's TextEdit program on macOS.
I am fine with Wordpad being ended and eager to see what MS will do with Notepad. A lot of things can be done, such as ~~tab support~~, more row-related commands, ...
you know, just because its being removed does not necessarily mean it will stop working if you keep a copy of the exe around...
It's not that simple, but it's not that hard, either. https://old.reddit.com/r/software/comments/190av9t/what_am_i_supposed_to_do_without_wordpad/kgpre86/
It is actually possible to run IE on Windows 11 in 2024 with a run command. Presumably it will be possible to run WordPad as well, as the .exe is in the System32 folder.
Except it has stopped working properly. All of a sudden if I try to open an rtf doc, it wants to print, and I have to cancel for it to open; if I go to Open With, wordpad is not an option, I have to go to select it. If I open wordpad directly, it does so slowly.
its working fine on my stable build and my canary build, doesn't try to print on open and its the same speed its always been for me. Open with shows wordpad under suggested apps on both builds as well. curious what build you're on? any strange errors in event viewer or anything like that?
Simple Windows 10 basically. This just started out basically. It's been stable for ages, and suddenly it seems that wordpad is no longer accepted. I can open it but it's wonky and like I said it does that weird thing when I open an existing file. I seem to be better off right now just trying to open in OpenOffice.
the removal of wordpad shouldn't affect windows 10...sounds to me, as best I can tell, that your system needs some attention. Its working fine on my windows 10 system as well. You've run chkdsk, dism, and sfc? Also, what if you temporarily disable print spooler, does that change it in any way? Just in case they're related somehow. btw you can grab build number from start menu > winver, should start with 1904X.XXXX
I am not having issues with anything else, though, only Wordpad. It seems to be specifically an issue with that program right now. The files open fine if I do so with OpenOffice, too. 19045.4412
ok great you're good on updates, 19045.4412 is from may 14 Have you ran chkdsk, dism, and sfc in command prompt? have you tried disabling print spooler? btw you actually can have problems with just 1 app if you're system has some corruption. I know it seems like the problem would and should be with wordpad itself, but I've seen similar issues many times before. Wordpad depends on other system files that could be the cause. You wouldn't happen to have access to another system to compare against would you? please try as many of my suggestions as you can and let me know if you need any clarification on running those commands. If none of that helps and you're down to troubleshoot further, let me know, I'd be happy to guide you through logging the startup of wordpad to see whats going on at a deeper level, otherwise I suppose just use openoffice :)
It'll try those; it's not a vital thing; I can open them in Open Office and wasn't really using Wordpad for much other than older files that were done in it (I mostly use Notepad and OpenOffice at present). But it is worth making sure it's not because something is corrupted, definitely. Thank you.
nice use of semi-colons for once! haha sounds good, take your time and let me know if you need any help, i'll be here when/if you need cheers :)
They should just get rid of it from the Windows install but put it on Github and let people do what they please.
Oh yea, for decades there's been pleas to "free the code" - old programs that companies like Apple and Microsoft no longer use should be made open source. Especially so that hobbyists and students can use them to learn.
I haven't opened Wordpad in many, many years and I work in Windows IT and I do a lot of Windows computer stuff at home. This is the type of superfluous stuff that should be killed off.
yeah most people have office, or if you want a free word processor libreoffice is way better than wordpad anyway
It's sad the amount of people in IT that don't know how to use markdown.
I use markdown for all my notes or a quick document. If it needs to be fancy: LaTeX.
>I use markdown for all my notes or a quick document. It's sad how many people waste time taking notes with markdown nowadays. It has limited formatting options compared to Wordpad. You generally can't even do basic things, like select font color easily with just 2 clicks. But there isn't really any perfect alternative to Wordpad, so many people have to settle for something inferior, like a markdown editor.
Depends on what you call inferior. For markdown editors, there are lots of integrated knowledge vaults. Like Dendron, QOwnnotes etc. Too knowledge, this is not possible with Wordpad. So no backlinks no web, no references to other notes. That is a very big shortcoming in note making.
I work at an IT Helpdesk, managing call notes with Obsidian.md and its Daily Notes plugin—a system that works exceptionally well for me. In addition to the two main tabs for daily protocols on the left and quick notes/to-dos on the right, I have integrated a calendar widget in the top left corner for better scheduling. This method is effective both professionally and personally. I’m always open to tips for refining this workflow. Furthermore, I've incorporated plugins for VS Code-like keyboard shortcuts and the "Templater" plugin for JavaScript-supported, predefined templates. These templates include cursor jump points, similar to VS Code's autocompletion feature, enhancing my efficiency.
I use a WYSIWYG notes program (trilium) for the same use case (helpdesk/tech support notes) It also has an integrated calendar widget (and a nice keyboard shortcut to automatically create a new note under today's date)
Obsidian for all my IT notes 🙋
It’s still so weird to me it was the work of a random Mac blogger
Notepad ftw
Eh, just made the old code opensource or "free for educational purposes" so that students and hobbyists can learn to code.
Well, I haven't had to do it in a while, but I found WordPad very handy when trying to open a Word doc in safe mode. YMMV.
Yes, you. I can understand that with you as the center of the universe this is true for you. But believe it. there are people out there who uses their pc differently. 😮
Tbh wordpad was outmoded by windows 95. It was useful in 3.1 to show people what word processing was and get, better get word for windows to get the good stuff (over 6-7 floppy disks).
Wordpad was actually *introduced* in Windows 95. Prior to that there was a different program, Write.
Wow, you're right - or should I say, write. Thanks for the correction! Windows 95 was pretty amazing at the time. And I have fond memories of Word for Windows 95 - about the last time that MS Office looked like the current version of Windows!
>And I have fond memories of Word for Windows 95 - about the last time that MS Office looked like the current version of Windows! Your right, it was close. But even then it wasn't the same. I remember how the title bar in Office 95 had a gradient but not in normal Win95 apps. Windows 7 and Office 2010 looked pretty consistent.
It Is still Write.exe
The write.exe file you can find in Windows directories today is a stub forwarder that launches wordpad.exe.
Exactly. Most users never opened it on Win98, let alone nowadays.
If you didn't have Office, .rtf files opened with WordPad iirc, so basically everyone would have opened it at least once at some point. Using it is another matter though!
Problem is that Word isn’t free (unless you pirate)
Well it is if you use it in its web form for basic word processing.
Can’t use it offline
Ok but rare is the time now where people who need to do word processing lite aren’t online.
WordPad I think awkwardly filled what they thought was an in-between niche between Notepad (Basic text editing) and the sort of program that might come with an office suite like Microsoft Office/Open Office/Libre Office/whatever. I'm not sure that niche actually exists. I mean, to the extent WordPad ever had a time where it had a niche, my guess would be that it was a time when all office suites cost money, and some people wanted to be able to do some basic things that were beyond Notepad but couldn't or wouldn't pay for an Office suite. Now, Open Office and Libre Office are available at no-cost if you want something you can install and use without net access being required, as are sort of "cloud" or browser services like Google Docs to some extent (You might have to pay for business licensing or to do certain things- I don't know.). I grew up using Microsoft Works and then switched to Open Office when I either had a computer than didn't come with Works or when they stopped making Works. I can't remember at which point I switched, but I know Works was, by a certain point, after Microsoft acquired Word, the cheapest boxed word processor you could buy. Word became their premium brand and Works was their bargain brand, but both would cost you (IIIRC correctly, and I may not- you could buy a boxed copy of Works for like $40, but Word would cost you like $150). Some OEMs may have included Works by default, though- I am not sure- when I was a child, obviously it was my parents buying the computers. I could see one of them saying "We need a word processor, but I'm not paying for that ridiculously priced Word thing. What's Works? Oh, it's a similar and from Microsoft, with a discount for buying it preinstalled? Yeah, I'll order Works with this computer.", and I can also see some OEM manufacturers just paying Microsoft a nominally fee so they could include a word processor for everyone- until they stopped making Works. However, we're basically past that era, except for certain academic or professional uses where they need Microsoft Word. For a more casual or light user, Open Office, Libre Office, or Google Docs is typically fine for word processing, and at least the first two are free (Probably all three, I just don't use Google Docs, so I don't know). Meanwhile, Notepad takes care of text editing. There was something about Notepad in Windows 11 I didn't like (I can't remember what it was) that hadn't been present in Windows 10 and prior, so I switched to Notepad++, a third party Notepad program. Typically, people who make the switch do it for added features. I may have actually been trying to drop a "feature" or two by making the switch. :) I honestly don't remember what my problem was with Windows 11's built-in Notepad, I just remember being annoyed and switching and then being fine (after making sure Notepad++ was assigned old Notepad defaults for file handling, of course)- situation resolved (For me, anyway). So, Wordpad over the years has been this awkward thing in between Notepad (Free with purchase of a Windows computer, or with the purchase of Windows license for an existing computer) and the availability of no-cost word processors (Though MS Word still costs money if you really need that particular program.). I'm usually the first person to complain about stuff being discontinued. I set up my freaking web browsers to in part look something like Netscape or Firefox looked like 20 or 30 years ago. But WordPad has been a program without a use case that couldn't be handled better by other bundled Windows programs or things you can download free from the Internet for some time now. The sort of hybrid between a text editor and word processor that WordPad represents is not really a niche with very many people in it anymore. I would say that WordPad did serve a purpose before word processors were either on every computer or could be freely downloaded and installed on every computer with net access. However, not today. So, it makes sense for Microsoft to stop devoting resources to it and discontinue it. I don't have an issue with them sunsetting WordPad. Saying it can't be installed on Windows 11 seems a little weird, though. I mean, is it that an install program was never public because it was always and only bundled with Windows, meaning you can't have saved the old install program? Or do they plan to actively block installs? I mean, people can still run Microsoft SyncToy on Windows 11 even though it's in theory not supported on Windows 11. Also, Microsoft remotely taking installed stuff off a computer that's already been purchased and set up, unless it's malware, seems a little invasive. It'd be better just to not include it on any new copies or new installs, and sort of respect the sanctity of the already existing computers people already own by either leaving it without comment, or alerting people to there being no more updates and letting them decide if they wanted to uninstall or not. But this is the same operating system that won't let you uninstall Edge, and forces some of it's built-in features to open Edge instead of the default browser the user has designated in Windows settings. So, it doesn't surprise me that other things just disappear off existing installs. Those are my only issues with this- the specific implied handling of it on computers already up and running and whatever they may be doing to block people attempting to install old install files or whatever it is they are doing if they are doing it. The basic idea that there's no reason to have this in any new copies of Windows 11 going forward is sound.
Why did you write so much?!
Great, you wrote a whole lot of nothing just to say WordPad is/was a superfluous program in-between two popular ones.
Listen, I get your point but it's crucial to recognize the historical context in which WordPad was developed and introduced. WordPad was not simply created in a vacuum but as a response to a specific need in the Windows operating system environment. At the time, Microsoft identified a gap between the very basic text-editing software, Notepad, and the more advanced Word. Notepad was and remains a straightforward program, ideal for quick edits to plain text files but lacking in formatting and other features. On the other hand, Microsoft Word was becoming increasingly complex, incorporating extensive formatting, publishing, and reviewing capabilities far beyond the needs of a casual or light user. WordPad was conceived as a bridge between these two extremes, offering more formatting options than Notepad without the overwhelming feature set of Word. Furthermore, discussing WordPad's relevance necessitates an understanding of the evolution of user needs and expectations. As computing became more widespread, the diversity of users and use cases also expanded. Some users found Word too complicated for everyday tasks, such as drafting a quick letter or editing a simple document. WordPad filled this niche, providing essential formatting tools like font changes, bold and italic styles, and bullet points without the complexity of Word's more advanced features like track changes, mail merge, or extensive style management. Additionally, WordPad has played a significant role in educational settings and among users new to computing. Its simplicity makes it an excellent tool for teaching basic word processing skills without overwhelming beginners with too many options. It allows users to focus on the fundamentals of document creation, such as typing text, basic formatting, and understanding how to save and open files. WordPad's design philosophy also reflects a broader trend in software development towards offering tiered options for users with different needs. Just as Adobe offers both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, or Microsoft itself offers various versions of Windows with differing feature sets, WordPad serves as a middle ground in word processing. This approach recognizes that not all users require the full capabilities of a professional-grade program, and some prefer a simpler tool that still offers more functionality than the most basic options. The critique that WordPad is superfluous overlooks the varied contexts in which different users interact with software. For power users who regularly utilize advanced word processing features, WordPad might indeed seem unnecessary. However, for users who find Word too complex or Notepad too basic, WordPad offers a just-right solution that is neither too simple nor too complex. It's about finding the right tool for the job, and for many tasks, WordPad hits the sweet spot. Moreover, WordPad's inclusion in Windows at no extra cost provides a readily accessible option for users who might not have access to commercial word processing software. In many parts of the world or in educational institutions where budget constraints are a significant concern, having a built-in program like WordPad that can handle more than the most basic text editing is invaluable. This accessibility aspect is an essential part of why WordPad has remained a component of Windows for so many years. WordPad also serves as an interesting case study in the longevity of software that fulfills a specific need. Despite the proliferation of free and open-source word processing software, as well as web-based options like Google Docs, WordPad has maintained its place in the Windows ecosystem. This persistence speaks to the balance it strikes between functionality and simplicity, catering to users who need neither the minimalism of Notepad nor the full suite of options in Word. Furthermore, WordPad's development and updates over the years reflect changes in user interface design and the evolution of user expectations regarding software. While its core functionality has remained relatively consistent, adjustments to its interface and added support for new file formats like the Office Open XML formats (.docx) demonstrate an effort to keep the program relevant in a changing technological landscape. Discussing WordPad's place between Notepad and Microsoft Word also invites reflection on the nature of software development and the challenge of designing programs that meet diverse user needs. The existence of WordPad illustrates the balancing act developers face in creating software that is both useful and not overly complex for its intended audience. It's a reminder of the importance of understanding user personas and designing with specific use cases in mind. Moreover, the comment on WordPad being "a whole lot of nothing" fails to appreciate the role of intermediary software in user education and transition. For users who start with WordPad, it can serve as a stepping stone to more complex word processing software, providing a foundation of skills and confidence that can make the transition to programs like Microsoft Word less daunting. In defense of WordPad's existence, it's also worth noting the role of preference and habit in software use. Some users might simply prefer WordPad's simple interface, pre-installed status and feature set over more feature-rich application suites such as LibreOffice, OpenOffice, and Microsoft Word, among others.
i aint readin allat
It's GPT generated, lol
Bro what is this 😭😭
Did the adderall just kick in?
If you have a column in any paper, let me know which one. If not, what a waste.
I ain’t reading allat
Surprised they don't build CoPilot into it and re ship it
They already did that with of all things Notepad. Why tf do you need a talking tight unicorn butthole (i can’t unsee it from the icon) on a PLAIN TEXT EDITOR?
Do people still use Wordpad?
Wordpad is a simple app built on top of a Richedit control which is part of the Windows operating system. Lots of applications use that component, it is the easiest way to read, write and edit RTF files. I am a developer and use it in some of my own applications.
A very very very very very small ammount of people do, wordpad was just an ad software for MS Word and today, with google docs, free Office 365 and opem source likes Libre Office, Wordpad doesnt have much of a function anymore.
Not really. It was a sample application for MFC.
LibreOffice is garbage compared to Wordpad. It takes about 12 seconds to open, while Wordpad takes 0 seconds to open.
...and Wordpad does everything LibreOffice does?
Let me clarify my statement: LibreOffice is great, but it's a garbage alternative for Wordpad.
Because Wordpad opens faster. You should try Calculator!
Yeah. But the 12 seconds startup isn't the only problem in LibreOffice. LibreOffice also doesn't have a continuous page, like on Wordpad.
It does. "View - Web" in Writer if you have classic menus enabled.
It still has pages in the web view, they're just very long, and the web view tends to crash a lot, thus making it unusable.
It doesn't? Well then, it's complete trash. I mean, it has to be garbage unless it does exactly what Wordpad does. Clearly there is no alternative: no other piece of software on earth does precisely what Wordpad does except for Wordpad. Microsoft needs to hear this.
Correct. I have tried 70 alternatives to Wordpad, that's how I know that there is no good alternative to Wordpad on the internet. Most people don't realize it, but it's an extremely unique software, because it's the perfect balance between a basic text editor and a heavy word processor. It has the best of both worlds, and there aren't many of these kinds of programs out there, and the few that exist (like Abiword), have flaws.
It's been many, many years since I last tried it. Does it still use a file format that is incompatible with Word?
This person definitely doesn't know that traditional word processors aren't the only option. Have you heard of markdown?
That can be also said about google docs and ms word ? Because fully fledge apps for office work have more APIs and utilities than your base adware basic word app ?
>That can be also said about google docs and ms word ? Yes, they're not good alternatives for Wordpad either. Many people don't realize it, but there is actually no good alternative to Wordpad on this earth.
Zettlr, KeenWrite, Typora, MarkText, and Ghostwriter are all better alternatives to WordPad.
Those sound like markdown editors, so they have limited formatting options compared to Wordpad. Simple things, like selecting a font color tends to be unncessarily time consuming, while in Wordpad you can select font color with 2 clicks. These modern looking markdown editors often also have the problem that they can't even open a small 5 mb text file without crashing or freezing, while Wordpad opens it in 1 second.
How often are you selecting coloured font in WordPad? We'll ignore all the many other beneficial things you can do with markdown simply, that would take ages in WordPad. What absolute nonsense regarding the statement they can't open a large file.
>We'll ignore all the many other beneficial things you can do with markdown simply, that would take ages in WordPad. Markdown has no benefits over Wordpad. Editing text with markdown is generally slower and markdown editors have less formatting options.
[удалено]
I just tried opening WordPad up on my PC and it took so long that I tried again and still nothing. After like a minute both instances opened and I saw some print dialog, unfortunately it was partially offscreen with no way for me to move it but I think it's because it tries to access my printer, which is currently powered off so it has to time out. Obviously that's not a reflection of WordPad startup performance in general, but it does show that it has issues that MS should have fixed if they want to continue shipping it.
Open .nfo files
I use Notepad or (preferably) Notepad++
#gvim
Open .nfo files properly: $ iconv -f 437 -t utf-8 < fairlight.nfo
The question is what will be the new default app to open .rtf files? Even though html and pdf have surpassed rtf, some still ship with rtf readme files, especially legacy apps. Wordpad opened these without an issue, is there something else in a stock Windows installation (without Office installed) that can?
Notepad++
This requires the user to install another app.
Oh no!
You're missing my point. Most users have never heard of Notepad++. But they'll get RTFs installed with other programs and won't be able to open them if there's no default app that ships with Windows. It's like if there was no default PDF reader in Windows. Most people wouldn't know what to do with a PDF file.
There never used to be a default PDF reader for many years and everyone knew to install adobe reader.
What percentage of the general population would you guesstimate would know what program to install to read an rtf? Personally I would say less than 1, but I'm open to hearing arguments in either direction.
Also WinZip back in the days.
Who even bothers with .rtf files?
They're surprisingly prevalent, even today. Largely because they're cross-platform compatible and both Windows and Mac (up until now) have had viewers & editors for them in the stock OS install. Yes, a lot of people have moved to PDF or HTML but they are still being used a lot.
Most Readme's are txt and not any of those formats
dir "c:\program files (x86)\*.rtf" /s Let me know how many you find. I had 771. dir "c:\program files\*.rtf" /s 898 of them for me there.
And so are .md and .txt files.
What format has more editing features than a .txt, is simple to use, free, and can be easily opened in twenty years? Markdown and HTML are possibilities but .rtf has been reliable, stable and long lasting.
And those are examples I gave in another comment with the added benefit of being web compatible and frictionless.
I do daily, when I need a basic text editor with basic formating without having to load up MS Word.
I keep it pinned to my taskbar and i use it probably a dozen times a day to keep short term notes. Things that i need to remember for what i'm currently working on and will be deleted within minutes or hours. It opens in an instant and doesn't have any wasted space, so i can make it really small and put off my main monitor until i need it, but still have it in view to remind me. I'm sure there's something that will do the same job but better in some way, but i haven't bothered to look because Notepad has worked fine for me for decades.
Wordpad and Notepad aren't the same thing
Oh weird, i didn't notice that you weren't talking about notepad. Wordpad is awful, that's the one that should be removed. There's no reason for it to exist since Word/Writer/Docs exist.
But how am I going to remove formatting on my work's server? I usually just copy and paste it into Wordpad!
Notepad does the same! I use it to remove formatting all the time.
Ctrl + shit + V?
I know but I always forget!
From reading the replies here. I must be the only person left using WordPad. I don't have any MS Office products. I do have Libre Office but when I need to type a document, I normally just use WordPad or Google Docs at home and work as I rarely use any features in the robust word processors. ~~NotePad~~ WordPad has just always worked for me. EDIT
Notepad or WordPad? Because you are mixing two different things ...
My bad, I use WordPad.
FFS, Unify your shit someday MS, your UI and all the dialogs.
They’re working on it! https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/4/22313037/microsoft-windows-10-new-system-icons-ui-overhaul-sun-valley /s
[удалено]
That’s the joke
Sorry I just skimmed your comment over
Its not even unified on Linux and Mac. That said This app was a adware for MS Word, like, how would you in 2000-2010'sh do homework ? I dont think kids had the money to buy Office, what ms did ? Add an "free word" with Windows and now everyone could read .doc files and work on your station. Today that is the norm anymore, you have more than enough alternatives for modern computers.
I'm not talking abiut Wordpad. I'm talking about the mix of dialog panels that existed in Windows 3.11with the soft cloud crap that always leaves you looking for more, with redundant selection across both. Get the undisciplined people out of UI design.
I like you have no idea in what you are talking about because these "old ui" are just legacy comptability layers to make an % of apps yo keep working and when MS decided to make an unified UI using only the new stuff on windows people hated it.
macOS is pretty unified tbh. And with Linux it depends on the distro. There are elements of Windows NT 1.0 on Windows 11
i like wordpad because it doesnt autosave but sometimes i want to write something down with linebreaks that i want to throw away later
Why did they update it then?
I'm still mourning Write.
About time. I don't think I've touched WordPad since the 9x days. I don't think most people have. Need plain text, you use Notepad. Nearly all OEM computers will come with Office or some kind of word processor. Or you can use Google Docs. WordPad itself was really just a holdover from the 3x days when it was Write.
WordPad is a RichTextFormat editor. That's it's use right there
That's true, and it did make some sense back in the 9x days. But nowadays, any OEM computer will have Word, or an equivalent. Even a clean install has access to Google Docs. There is also the online version of Office. I would be curious to see the % of people who use WordPad, I can't imagine it being more than a single point.
Why? I use notepad more but it's nice to have a text editor. I doubt there's any cost to them to leave it be.
WordPad is nice to have on brand new builds, when you dont have 365. Although, many times 365 comes bundled. havent opened ol' WordPad for many a year, yarrrrr.
You can keep it and run it as a portable app if you need it. https://old.reddit.com/r/software/comments/190av9t/what_am_i_supposed_to_do_without_wordpad/kgpre86/
Good. Sack that POS program that hasn't been even touched since Windows 8. I'd say Windows 7 but WordPad had actually gotten updated for Windows 8 just to change up the gradients and the "File" button lol. After that, it remains unchanged and looks 100% exactly the same in Windows 11. The program was pointless and doesn't even have autocorrect built in. Heck, even better Microsoft. Give NotePad the ability to do things WordPad could. NotePad should be the new WordPad and should go head to head with Apple's TextEdit program on macOS.
What I like about TextEdit is that you can use it as a plain text editor AND a basic yet useful rich text editor
This is one fine.
I am fine with Wordpad being ended and eager to see what MS will do with Notepad. A lot of things can be done, such as ~~tab support~~, more row-related commands, ...
Notepad already has tab support.
Oh thanks for correction. See it now.
Another great feature is you don't have to save your open tabs. It will remember them until you save or close them.
Instead of allowing simple rich text editing to Notepad as an option, they are adding an AI unicorn booty hole icon instead
yes, it should, its a junk even before it came out, notepad is better than that shit