Can you believe it? After three decades of faithful service, Microsoft is bidding adieu to WordPad. This iconic app, which made its debut alongside Windows 95 and allowed users to open .doc files without Word, is heading towards retirement.

But why is this happening, and what implications might it have for your business?

 Microsoft recently made the announcement that WordPad will no longer receive updates and will eventually be phased out of the Windows ecosystem. While the exact timeline remains unclear, the wheels are in motion.

Let’s face it, though—how many times have you mistakenly opened a document in WordPad when you intended to use Notepad? The two have often been a source of confusion, with Notepad reserved for plain text and WordPad functioning more like a word processor. Could this common mix-up be the reason for WordPad’s impending retirement? Or is Microsoft subtly nudging users towards its paid Microsoft Word, a cornerstone of the Microsoft 365 suite?

In an excerpt from Microsoft’s recently updated list of deprecated Windows features, they recommend Microsoft Word for rich text documents and Windows Notepad for plain text files. So, it seems like WordPad’s time is fading fast.

But let’s not get too sentimental. As a lifelong Windows user, I can admit that I’ve mostly opened WordPad by accident. Its departure won’t leave a void, given the abundance of other word processing options, with Microsoft Word being a personal favorite.

However, if you’re a diehard WordPad enthusiast, there’s a glimmer of hope. Microsoft is soliciting feedback via the Windows Feedback Hub app. If an overwhelming show of support emerges, who knows? Perhaps Microsoft may reconsider, allowing WordPad to linger on, even if it’s relegated to the Microsoft Store as an optional, rarely-updated app.

Should you need guidance on finding the best apps for your business, don’t hesitate to reach out.