When was the last time that you ever used WordPad to edit or create something on your PC? When was the last time you ever remembered that it existed within Windows? Most would know what it is if mentioned, but many would likely answer that it has been a long time. Microsoft seems to feel the same.
WordPad was created a long time ago, launching within Windows 95 (back in 1995). It has since proven to be a simple go-to for someone needing a little more than what Notepad can handle but didn’t want to cough up the money for Microsoft Office.
However, many years have sped by and WordPad seems to have lost its purpose in the world. Thanks to so many third-party alternative options like Google Docs, LibreOffice, and more, there is little to no need for such middle-of-the-road software. Thus Microsoft has decided to close the curtains on WordPad and move on.
This is one of many moves the company has taken over the last few years. Including the retirement of Cortana, and the removing various application within Windows 11 (fresh installs) and making them optional (free) downloads within the Microsoft Store. Applications like Notepad and MS Paint. This also helps the company update the individual apps more often without having to do it through Windows Update.
Out with the old and in with the new. Microsoft is trying everything it can to pay attention to every tiny detail within Windows and consider what the future has in store for it all. Which isn’t a bad thing.
