Microsoft lately added its long-time bundle free word-processing software program to its Deprecated record, so lengthy WordPad. The tech big determined to retire it and ship it off to Valinor to affix Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo.
WordPad has been Home windows’s built-in wealthy textual content editor for almost 30 years; included with each iteration of the OS since Home windows 95 debuted on August 24, 1995. Though not as feature-rich as Microsoft Phrase, it was extra succesful than Notepad whereas producing paperwork in rtf, docx, odt, and textual content information.
Though Microsoft will now not help WordPad, there are different free, feature-rich options you’ll be able to flip to in your doc enhancing wants.
3 greatest WordPad replacements
There are a dozen free WordPad and even MS Workplace replacements floating round. All it’s a must to do is Google, “free options to Microsoft Phrase.” To make discovering your WordPad alternative simpler, we have chosen three of the perfect, that require little to no studying curve, and you will have heard of them earlier than.
Google Docs
Google Docs is the full-featured doc enhancing software program throughout the Google Workspace setting and it is obtainable free of charge along with your Gmail account. I am a large fan of Google Docs, which has changed MS Phrase for the final 5 years as my each day doc producer.
Initially, Google Docs lacked lots of the instruments of WordPad and MS Phrase. Nevertheless, it way back earned its stripes as a full-featured doc editor, capable of edit and produce paperwork in virtually each format used at this time. Now you can do every part you used to do in WordPad or MS Phrase in G’Docs, together with enhancing and signing PDFs.
The opposite excellent function of Google Docs is it is obtainable on your entire gadgets, which makes engaged on paperwork seamless as you progress about your day. It is also nice when you’re commuting to and from residence. I’ve edited many paperwork on my smartphone whereas using residence on the prepare. You get all of this usability free of charge, and nothing is healthier than free.
I’ll add there’s a minor studying curve as you regulate to the place issues are, however it’s a fast pick-up for many, and when you need assistance, there are various helpful how-to’s obtainable on our website.
Libre Workplace
Libre Workplace is extra of an MS Workplace alternative than a WordPad substitution. Nevertheless, go huge or go residence, and most people want a full suite of document-pushing software program, and Libre Workplace provides you that free of charge.
Libre Workplace is an Open Supply doc productiveness suite that lets you do every part you’ll usually do in MS Workplace 365 however free of charge. The structure is much like WordPad/MS Phrase, and it is rather intuitive. Because of it being Open Supply, there are fixed updates and enhancements. Additionally, due to the fixed updating and monitoring of Libre Workplace, it is rather protected and safe.
One concern I’ve is that there is no such thing as a devoted Libre Workplace smartphone app. Many apps can edit docs in Libre Workplace’s most well-liked odt (OpenDocument Textual content File) format, however that is not the identical. A Libre Workplace viewer and Collabora Workplace for Android and iOS permit you to work along with your Libre Workplace docs. I do know I’m being choosy, however I desire a seamless app expertise like Google Docs.
Open Workplace
Apache Open Workplace could be very very like Libre Workplace, however it appears to be like and feels extra like WordPad, which is both factor or a foul factor; that is so that you can determine. I like its clear look and fast studying curve.
Like Libre Workplace, it is Open Supply, which implies updates and developments occur typically as its neighborhood of customers retains issues operating easily. Open Workplace is an easy-to-use and be taught workplace suite, and its phrase processing software program is the star of the suite. It does include spreadsheets, shows, databases, and even picture enhancing throughout the suite that you should use.
Like Libre Workplace, Open Workplace is extremely steady and can run easily in your Home windows or macOS gadgets. Most significantly, it’s free, which we love. Like G’Docs and Libre, you’ll rapidly acknowledge the structure and toolset, making switching from WordPad to MS Phrase a breeze.
Remaining Ideas
As Microsoft seems to be creating extra instruments for Home windows 11 whereas additionally hammering away on the AI-powered Home windows 12, the maker might endow its NotePad software program with a extra WordPad toolset.
I discover it attention-grabbing that Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, appears to be pulling additional away from its legacy merchandise and OS design heritage. I, for one, discover Home windows 11 to be a multilayered demon of an working system, so I am all for a cleaning burn to do away with all of the undergrowth that’s slowing every part down.
Home windows 11 is all the time making an attempt to push Microsoft merchandise on you whereas making utilizing third-party software program like Google Chrome more difficult. If my Home windows 11 laptop computer jogs my memory to attempt the Edge browser once more, I’ll toss it within the trash. Then, there are the numerous additional steps to decide on one other browser as your default.
Home windows was once a stable, easy OS that some might have discovered boring, however it labored and did not muck issues up. My hope is that Home windows 12 will cease making an attempt to be a macOS or ChromeOS clone and return to what Home windows has carried out nice up to now, with a number of cute animations added for fashion. Now Home windows 12 AI may very well be Clippy gone wild, so I’ll remorse asking for this shift.
All that mentioned, farewell, WordPad; though you have been underappreciated, you’ll all the time have a spot in our hearts, like Vista, however method much less terrible.
Again to Ultrabook Laptops
