WordPad is removed from every edition of Windows starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, and Microsoft has not documented a supported way to restore it on 24H2 or 25H2. Microsoft also has not established a supported procedure for restoring classic Notepad on these releases in the guidance reviewed here. For now, choose an editor by file type: Microsoft recommends Word for rich-text files such as .doc and .rtf, and Notepad for plain-text .txt files.
Can you restore WordPad on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2?
No Microsoft-supported restoration procedure is documented in the Windows guidance cited here. Microsoft states that “WordPad is removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2.” Its feature-removal documentation identifies the app and associated binaries as removed: Microsoft’s Windows client feature-removal list.
This applies to both 24H2 and later releases such as 25H2 because the removal begins with 24H2. The Microsoft sources cited here do not document adding WordPad back through Optional Features, a Store listing, or another supported installation route.
The removal statement concerns WordPad and its program files; it does not establish that your personal documents were deleted. The cited guidance does not describe the state of individual user files.
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What to use instead of WordPad
Microsoft’s recommendation depends on the document format. Its deprecated-features guidance recommends Microsoft Word for rich-text documents such as .doc and .rtf, and Notepad for plain-text .txt files: Microsoft’s Windows client deprecated-features resource.
| File type | Microsoft’s recommended app | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| .txt | Notepad | For plain text. |
| .rtf | Microsoft Word | For rich text. |
| .doc | Microsoft Word | For Word documents. |
These recommendations identify Microsoft’s alternatives by document type; they do not establish that the alternatives have identical features to WordPad.
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Can you get classic Notepad back?
The official Microsoft guidance cited here does not establish a supported method for restoring a classic Notepad version on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. In particular, it does not verify an Optional Features setting, Store download, copied system file, or third-party executable as a restoration method for these releases.
Because a supported procedure is not established, avoid relying on installation instructions unless they are confirmed against current Microsoft guidance for your specific Windows build. A legacy executable or third-party download is not the same as a Microsoft-supported restoration, and the sources cited here do not verify its compatibility, security, or support status.
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Choose the right next step
- You need to edit a .txt file: Use Notepad, as Microsoft recommends for plain text.
- You need to edit a .rtf or .doc file: Microsoft recommends Word for these rich-text and Word document formats.
- You specifically need the old WordPad app: Microsoft’s cited documentation says it is removed from 24H2 onward and does not provide a supported restoration procedure.
- You specifically need classic Notepad: Check current Microsoft guidance for your exact Windows build; the cited official sources do not establish a supported restoration method.
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