WordPad, the quirky text editor that’s been a part of Windows for nearly 30 years, is getting the boot. The latest Windows 11 Insider build (26020) no longer includes WordPad, and Microsoft plans to completely remove it from the operating system in a future update.
This change is intended to be permanent, meaning users won’t be able to reinstall the program through official channels after the stable build rolls out in public.
Farewell, WordPad
The announcement was made on the Windows Insider Blog alongside several new features of the Windows 11 Insider build (26020). This includes enhanced voice access tools and improved text-to-speech voices. However, the removal of WordPad stands out due to its long history and familiarity with many users. The blog post reads:
“Starting with this build, the WordPad and People apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. In a future flight, WordPad will be removed on upgrade. WordPad will not be reinstallable. WordPad is a deprecated Windows feature”
This isn’t a huge surprise, as WordPad hasn’t been updated in years and fell somewhere between a basic notepad and a full-fledged word processor. While it was free and didn’t require internet access, most users found better alternatives elsewhere.
The People app is also joining WordPad on the chopping block, and the Steps Recorder will no longer receive updates. Microsoft suggests ClipChamp as a potential replacement for the latter.
Meanwhile, Notepad, the ever-reliable text editor, continues to see changes. This build adds some improvements, including accessibility tweaks for voice control and the ability to pause and resume printing. However, some users might find the constant tinkering with Notepad unnecessary.
Beyond these somewhat sad goodbyes, the new build brings a few other noteworthy additions. You’ll now see a notification when your computer is in energy saver mode, and you can give your devices more descriptive names for easier sharing.
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