WordPad app has been deprecated in Windows 10 and Windows 11

This will be unpopular, Wordpad sat nicely between full-featured Word and basic Notepad.

With WordPad App gone and Mail App gone, you'd think that they would slash the price of the next O.S.

If you wish to retain a working copy of Wordpad after it is removed then you need to copy all the contents of C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories to another folder elsewhere. There's also a 32-bit version in C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories

The (middlin') king is dead. Long Live the (middlin') king!

i guess with Word being available to anyone via the Microsoft account for free will fill that gap somewhat. I never really used WordPad, as when I needed, to get a document with screenshots or something, I typically just used Word which I had purchased.

Jarte isn't bad either.

Since I have a full fledged subscription to Microsoft 365 (Office 365), I don't use WordPad. Still, I'm not sure it should be removed.

I've used it maybe a few dozen times in all the time I've had it throughout all the OSs. Word and other 3rd party word processors do what I need to when notepad and NPP don't have what I need.

As for removing it, though, it's a niche program in this day and age, too many programs can open Word docs directly these days, including Word online and Google Docs, so, really, I don't see why it shouldn't be removed.

That's my opinion, though. I'm sure there are folks who actually depend upon it being there, though I'd bet they are very few and very far between.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you can install Microsoft 365 WITHOUT ACTIVATING it and it will continue to function in read-only mode. That might be a lot to install just to get a reader, but it should at least be servicable.

For offline use, sure. That is a good idea. But if you're not gonna pay, just get LibreOffice or something similar, just as good, and no nagging about trial / unlicensed, etc.

But these days, not having Internet access is gonna be a rare thing, and Word online and Google Docs both will suffice with nothing to install.

I mean, there are so many options, both for online and offline use, that it makes sense not to have WordPad there anymore.

As I mentioned Jarte is a good alternative if wanted.

Bree said:

If you wish to retain a working copy of Wordpad after it is removed then you need to copy all the contents of C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories to another folder elsewhere. There's also a 32-bit version in C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories

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Thanks, Bree.

Bree said:

If you wish to retain a working copy of Wordpad after it is removed then you need to copy all the contents of C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories to another folder elsewhere. There's also a 32-bit version in C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories

Click to expand...

This might go without saying but might not.
- Both the x64 and the x86 Windows 10 WordPad versions will run in Windows 11.
- Neither the x64 nor the x86 Windows 11 WordPad versions will run in Windows 10. A particular dll file does not contain what WordPad expects to find there.

I rescued my WordPads but, like others have said above, I probably only use it every other blue moon.

I have also rescued various versions [XP onwards] of MSPaint, NotePad, SnippingTool, Calculator.
Rescue Old Windows 10 Applications from Oblivion [the Ed Tittel method] - Windows Enterprise Desktop
I don't attempt to substitute them for the current versions. I stick them within a protected C:\Tools folder along with all my other scripts & portable apps and I run them from shortcuts in my TaskbarToolbar [for which I need ExplorerPatcher or StartAllBack in Windows 11].


All the best,
Denis

trevo said:

This will be unpopular, Wordpad sat nicely between full-featured Word and basic Notepad.

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WordPad was useless. If you want something similar, but better than Notepad, but don't want all the features like Word, use Notepad++

JAM83 said:

WordPad was useless. If you want something similar, but better than Notepad, but don't want all the features like Word, use Notepad++

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Hardly the way to instigate sensible discussion

trevo said:

Hardly the way to instigate sensible discussion

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I get the overriding impression a discussion isn't really needed. Notepad (and ++) users are coming from a different angle than users of WordPad (as a Word lite). Browser based tools are how it's going (G and 365), the way MS are headed with this OS, I can see "Windowsbook" as the ultimate destination. As long as hardware isn't locked to the ecosystem (big wish, unlikely to happen) I'm a bit past caring anymore.

Still, this forum does at least document the changeover points. I can't see users forcing a stay of execution like with Paint, although it is now "appy".

I don't think I've ever actually used WordPad, I just looked at it from time to time!

Shame on MS.

Wordpad was quite useful in all sorts of ways --what's up with Ms these days -- I get zillions of rubbish things like Xbox (sorry folks -- I know a lot like gaming and love Xbox) but that doesn't mean the rest of the planet wants it especially on "PRO" type machines - but decent apps like Teams re going subscription and other good apps are being "retired".

Cheers
jimbo

trevo said:

Hardly the way to instigate sensible discussion

Click to expand...

Agree -- what was wrong with it -- you could easily attach / cut / paste pictures / excel spreadsheets / powerpoint stuff etc etc in to it, and it would work as a quick rudimentary word processor etc etc. Why was it a "rubbish app".

Cheers
jimbo