Avast! Windows 11 be sayin' farewell to WordPad, as Microsoft axes that ol' favorite (and that Cortana scallywag too)!
2024-01-29
Arr! Microsoft's Windows 11 Canary be sendin' WordPad off the plank, takin' ye to MS Word instead! Be stirrin' up all sorts o' feelings, me hearties! Aye, some be feelin' sentimental, while others be feelin' a wee bit mixed up like a ship in a storm!
Microsoft has announced that its iconic WordPad app will no longer be included in future versions of Windows. The company is directing users to use Microsoft Word instead for working with rich text files. This news comes as no surprise, as Microsoft had previously mentioned that WordPad was being deprecated. The latest Windows 11 Canary build confirms that WordPad is no longer part of the operating system.WordPad has been a staple program in Windows since the release of Windows 95, so this development has left many Windows fans feeling a bit nostalgic. Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Word for rich text documents and Windows Notepad for plain text documents instead. However, since Microsoft Word is a paid program, users may not be thrilled with this suggestion.
An alternative to Microsoft Word is LibreOffice Writer, which is part of the free LibreOffice suite. It offers similar functionality to WordPad and is a viable option for those looking for a free alternative.
In addition to WordPad, Microsoft has also decided to retire Cortana and focus on its newer digital assistant, Windows Copilot. Microsoft is even requiring partner keyboard manufacturers to have a dedicated Copilot key. This move is reminiscent of when Microsoft wanted to ax Windows Paint, but due to user outcry, the app was made available for download and has since been developed further.
It remains to be seen if Microsoft will reconsider its decision to remove WordPad or if users will have to adapt to the company's vision of an AI-powered future without basic apps like WordPad. Time will tell if enough uproar will lead to WordPad being made available as an optional download.
Overall, the retirement of WordPad marks the end of an era for Windows users, and many are hoping for a change of heart from Microsoft.