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The upcoming 24H2 update for Windows 11 will mark the official end of an era as WordPad bids farewell to Microsoft’s desktop operating system. This development comes as no surprise, considering WordPad’s deprecation announcement by Microsoft in September 2023, followed by its disappearance from Windows 11 preview builds in January 2024. Now, with concrete confirmation from Microsoft, it’s clear that the 24H2 update will see the removal of WordPad from all editions of Windows 11, as well as Windows Server 2025.
The absence of WordPad in current preview builds of Windows 11 24H2, as reported by Windows Latest, reaffirms Microsoft’s decision to phase out the venerable default app. Users won’t have the option to reinstall WordPad, and new installations of Windows 11 won’t include the app either. Therefore, when the 24H2 update arrives around September 2024 (or later), WordPad will be absent, and users will have to adapt to its absence.
While sticking with the previous 23H2 version of Windows 11 is technically an option to retain WordPad functionality, it’s not a long-term solution. Eventually, Microsoft will cease support for 23H2, leaving users vulnerable to security risks. Moreover, skipping the 24H2 update means missing out on new features and improvements, including the introduction of the Germanium platform, which brings performance and security enhancements to the OS.
Interestingly, while WordPad makes its exit, Notepad remains a staple of Windows 11. Microsoft continues to actively develop Notepad, expanding its capabilities beyond traditional text editing. Features like spellcheck, autocorrect, and potentially AI-powered assistance with Cowriter are testament to Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing Notepad’s functionality. This shift may position Notepad as a viable alternative to WordPad for users seeking lightweight text editing capabilities.