Microsoft’s WordPad, a venerable text editor that has been a staple of Windows operating systems since 1995, is now facing the prospect of retirement. Recent reports and a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user Xeno have hinted that Microsoft intends to discontinue WordPad, ceasing further updates and ultimately removing it from future Windows releases.

WordPad has been the go-to choice for users seeking a lightweight and straightforward document editor for basic text editing and simple formatting tasks. Over the years, it has received occasional updates, but it appears that Microsoft is ready to part ways with this legacy software.

While an official date for WordPad’s discontinuation has not been confirmed, leaks suggest that its farewell might coincide with the anticipated release of Windows 12, expected to arrive in late 2024. Microsoft is encouraging users to explore alternative solutions within its software ecosystem.

For users dealing with rich text documents in .doc or .rtf formats, Microsoft Word offers a robust feature set for comprehensive formatting and editing. Meanwhile, for plain text documents in .txt format, Notepad remains a reliable and lightweight option.

The decision to retire WordPad aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of optimizing its software portfolio and focusing on more feature-rich applications. As Windows 12 continues to take shape in development, users may find this transition to alternative text editors a necessary step in embracing the future of Windows computing.

In related news, details surrounding the potential hardware requirements for Windows 12 have started to emerge, providing insights into what users can expect from Microsoft’s forthcoming operating system.