WordPad is removed from all editions of Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft’s guidance is to use Word for rich-text files such as .doc and .rtf, and Notepad for plain-text .txt files. Existing RTF documents are not identified as being deleted; the change is that Windows no longer includes a built-in default RTF reader.
What changes when WordPad is removed?
Microsoft lists wordpad.exe, wordpadfilter.dll, and write.exe among the removed components. The removal applies to all editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, according to Microsoft’s deprecated-features documentation.
In practical terms, Windows no longer supplies WordPad as a built-in, default app for opening rich-text files. Microsoft does not say that existing .rtf files are erased, nor does it say that Word is the only software capable of opening them.
Which app should you use instead?
| File type | Microsoft’s recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| .doc and .rtf | Microsoft Word | These are rich-text document formats. |
| .txt | Notepad | This is a plain-text document format. |
These are Microsoft’s file-type recommendations, not a claim that no other editor can work. If you choose another app for RTF, check that it opens the particular documents you rely on and preserves the formatting you need.
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How to choose an RTF alternative
If WordPad served as a simple way to read or edit formatted documents, compare candidate apps against your actual needs before moving important files into a new workflow:
- RTF compatibility: Confirm the app opens .rtf documents and retains relevant formatting when you save them.
- Offline access: Check whether the editor works without an internet connection if that matters to you.
- Cost and privacy: Review the app’s current pricing and where documents are stored or processed.
- Ease of use: Consider whether its interface is as straightforward as the basic editor you are replacing.
Microsoft’s cited guidance establishes Word and Notepad as its recommendations by file type; it does not compare other editors on compatibility, price, privacy, offline use, or simplicity.
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What to do with your existing files
- Identify whether each document is .rtf, .doc, or .txt. The file extension indicates which of Microsoft’s recommendations applies.
- Open .doc or .rtf documents in Word, or test another editor if you prefer one.
- Use Notepad for plain-text .txt files.
- For important formatted documents, check the result after opening and saving so you can confirm the layout and formatting are still suitable.
Microsoft’s announcement concerns WordPad’s removal from specified Windows releases. It does not state that users must convert or delete their existing documents.
Quick Recap
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