Microsoft plans to retire the venerable WordPad application in the Windows 12 operating system. This decision comes as a result of WordPad’s long-standing dormancy in terms of updates, making it a prime candidate for removal in future Windows releases.
The Fate of WordPad
According to an IANS report, Microsoft has officially stated that WordPad will no longer receive updates and will subsequently be phased out in a future Windows release. The company has recommended alternative solutions to users, urging them to consider Microsoft Word for more advanced text formatting and rich document features, or Windows Notepad for simpler, plain-text documents.
In an excerpt from a recent support note published by Microsoft, the company stated, “WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. We recommend Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf, and Windows Notepad for plain text documents like .txt.”
The Rise of Windows Notepad
Microsoft is retiring WordPad while making significant updates to Windows Notepad. Notepad, previously a basic text editor, is being transformed with features like autosave and tab retraction. These updates aim to make Notepad more appealing to users in need of a lightweight and efficient text editor.
Windows 12 and the AI Revolution
Microsoft’s decision to retire WordPad aligns with the company’s broader strategy of embracing generative artificial intelligence (AI) across its products and services. While details about Windows 12 remain scarce, it’s rumored to incorporate AI-powered features similar to those in its predecessor, Windows 11.
Microsoft has been steadily investing in AI with substantial upgrades to its AI-powered Bing search engine. These upgrades encompass a wide range of capabilities, including image generation and voice input recognition. Notably, Microsoft has reported more than 100 million daily active users for Bing’s AI-driven functionalities.
The Battle of AI-Powered Search
Microsoft is competing with Google in the AI field through Bing. Google introduced its AI chatbot, Bard, and AI-enhanced Google Search earlier this year. Microsoft CEO acknowledged Google’s dominance but emphasized the importance of competition for user benefit and search engine innovation. As Microsoft prioritizes AI integration, people are eagerly awaiting details about Windows 12 and its rumored release in 2024.