Microsoft will now not be updating WordPad, a primary phrase processor program that helps wealthy textual content enhancing, and can now not embrace it in Home windows, the corporate stated in a weblog submit on Friday.
“WordPad is now not being up to date and will likely be eliminated in a future launch of Home windows,” the submit reads. “We suggest Microsoft Phrase for wealthy textual content paperwork like .doc and .rtf and Home windows Notepad for plain textual content paperwork like .txt.”
Microsoft didn’t give a motive for the change, or title a selected date for when WordPad will likely be retired. A consultant for the corporate did not instantly reply for a request for remark.
WordPad was first included with Home windows 95. Its assist for wealthy textual content enhancing makes it extra superior than one other textual content editor, Notepad, nevertheless it lacks the performance of Microsoft Phrase. In contrast to Notepad, WordPad allowed using graphics in addition to such formatting wants as italics, daring textual content and the underline operate.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian mourned the loss on social-media platform X, writing, “RIP WordPad. You bought me via rather a lot earlier than I might afford Workplace.”
Ohanian later added, “(WordPad) solely had one job. However he did it simply nicely sufficient.”
Earlier than WordPad, an identical program, Home windows Write, was included with Home windows as a stopgap between Notepad and a extra highly effective word-processing program.
WordPad shouldn’t be the one Home windows stalwart saying goodbye. In June, Microsoft introduced that it was ending assist for its digital assistant Cortana in Home windows as a standalone app.