Microsoft has announced that it will remove WordPad from Windows in a future release of the operating system. The company says that WordPad is no longer being used by many people and that it is taking up space on Windows computers.
WordPad was first introduced in Windows 95 as a basic word processing application. It was designed to be a lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word, which is a more powerful and feature-rich word processor. However, WordPad has not been updated significantly in recent years, and it has been largely overshadowed by other free and open-source word processors, such as LibreOffice Writer and Google Docs.
In a support note, Microsoft said that “WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. We recommend Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf and Windows Notepad for plain text documents like .txt.”
The removal of WordPad is likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some users may be disappointed to see the app go, as it was a simple and easy-to-use word processor. However, others may see it as a positive move, as it will free up space on Windows computers and encourage users to switch to more powerful word processors.
It is unclear when Microsoft will remove WordPad from Windows. However, the company says that it will provide users with advance notice before the app is removed.
What are the alternatives to WordPad?
There are many alternatives to WordPad available for Windows. Some of the most popular options include:
- Microsoft Word: This is the most powerful word processor available for Windows. It offers a wide range of features, including spell checking, grammar checking, and the ability to create tables, charts, and images.Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.orgMicrosoft Word word processing software app
- LibreOffice Writer: This is a free and open-source word processor that is similar to Microsoft Word. It offers a wide range of features and is compatible with Microsoft Word documents.Opens in a new windowwww.libreoffice.orgLibreOffice Writer word processing software app
- Google Docs: This is a web-based word processor that is free to use. It offers a basic set of features, but it is easy to use and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.Opens in a new windowwww.oreilly.comGoogle Docs word processing software app
- Notepad: This is a simple text editor that is included with Windows. It does not offer many features, but it is a good option for creating plain text documents.Opens in a new windowwww.lifewire.comNotepad text editor software app
Ultimately, the best alternative to WordPad will depend on your needs and preferences. If you need a powerful word processor with a wide range of features, then Microsoft Word is the best option. If you are looking for a free and open-source alternative, then LibreOffice Writer is a good choice. And if you need a simple text editor, then Notepad is a good option.
