Alternatives to WordPad after its disappearance

For decades, WordPad It has shared the desktop with generations of Windows users. But the years have not passed in vain, and Microsoft has decided to put an end to it: it will no longer be part of future versions of Windows. What alternatives do we have to WordPad after its disappearance?

If you're looking to keep things simple but also want to discover extra features, here are the most interesting, free, and modern alternatives you can install or use directly from your browser. Pay close attention because, in addition to the classics, you'll be surprised by the variety of solutions that exist.

Why is Microsoft discontinuing WordPad and what does it mean for users?

WordPad has been present in Windows since 1995, serving those who needed a basic rich-text editor. Unlike Notepad, it offered support for bold, italics, alignment, and image insertion, although it was always very limited for advanced tasks.

Microsoft has announced that, with the Windows 24 2H11 update, WordPad will officially be discontinued and will no longer receive support or updates. The main reason is the lack of current relevance compared to other much more complete and accessible solutions, both from the Microsoft ecosystem itself (Word, OneNote) and from third parties (Google Docs, LibreOffice, etc.). The reality is that WordPad has become obsolete and its niche is becoming smaller and smaller..

What does this mean? If you update your operating system, you'll lose access to WordPad, although it's possible to save it manually by making a backup copy of its folder before installing new versions of Windows.

Ideal features that a WordPad alternative should have

Before you rush into installing any program, it's a good idea to think about what you're really looking for in a WordPad replacement. These are the Key features that a good alternative should have:

• Ease of use: A clean interface, without overwhelming menus or features, for those who want to take quick notes without the hassle.
• Basic and advanced formatting options: Be able to write in bold, italics, underline, or even insert images and tables.
• Support for various formats: Accept and export files such as TXT, DOCX, PDF, ODT, or even Markdown to ensure maximum interoperability.
• Auto-save and cloud editing features: This way you won't lose your documents and you'll be able to access them from any device.
• Collaboration tools: Being able to share, comment, and edit in real time with other users is becoming more common and interesting.
• Security and privacy: Protect confidential documents with passwords, encryption, and advanced user permissions.
• Cross-platform compatibility: The ability to access and edit your documents from Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile devices.

The choice will depend on whether you are looking for something ultralight and fast like Notepad, you prefer a suite that turns your desk into a small office, or you need something in between.

The best free alternatives to WordPad in 2025

The range of alternatives is very varied, adapting to both those looking for the simplest options and those requiring professional or collaborative tools. Here you have the options that work best today, with their pros and cons so you can choose the one that best suits you.

 

Notepad++: the vitamin-enhanced notepad

For those who need more power but don't want a full office suite, Notepad + + it is a fantastic optionIt's basically Notepad, but with even more features: support for multiple syntax languages, tabs for multiple documents, plugins for adding features (checker, translation tools, etc.), advanced search, and much more.

It is preferred by programmers and advanced users, but Anyone can take advantage of its speed and lightness for quick notes. In addition, it supports Markdown editing, which expands its possibilities.

Advantages:

• Lightweight, free, and feature-packed.
• Supports multiple formats and syntaxes.
• Plugins to add extra functionality.

Disadvantages:

• It may be excessive for those looking for the simplest.
• Less modern interface than current office suites.

Microsoft OneNote: Advanced organization and cloud notes

For those who want to go beyond the basics but without reaching the complexity of Word, OneNote It's an excellent option. It allows you to create notebooks, sections, and pages, adding everything from formatted text to drawings, images, and lists. Plus, Automatically syncs all your content to the cloud, allowing access from any device or browser.

OneNote stands out for its organization by notebooks, making it perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who needs to categorize notes by project or topic. It also allows for inserting links, attachments, audio, and even handwriting if you have a tablet or touchscreen.

It's free with a Microsoft account (web, desktop app, and even mobile and tablet versions). If you're a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can unlock additional features.

Advantages:

• Completely free with a Microsoft account.
• Allows you to organize information by notebooks, sections and pages.
• Supports advanced formatting, images, drawings, and cloud integration.
• Ideal for students and professionals who manage projects or syllabi.

Disadvantages:

• More complex interface for users who just want to type quickly.
• It may take some time to adapt if you're coming from WordPad minimalism.

LibreOffice Writer: Power and Open Source

If you are looking for a professional word processor but without paying for licenses, LibreOffice Writer is your best ally. It is about the free and open source alternative to Microsoft Word, capable of opening and editing DOCX, ODT, PDF files and many more.

With LibreOffice Writer you will have access to all the usual functions offered by advanced word processors: formatting styles, templates, images, tables, indexes, footnotes, cross-references, cross-platform compatibility, PDF export, and macro support. Plus, you can install it on Windows, Linux, and Mac, making it very versatile.

This alternative is also ideal for those who They want to maintain control over their documents, thanks to its open standards and lack of licensing restrictions. If you're looking to move from WordPad to something much more advanced, this is the best natural progression, although its interface can be a bit overwhelming at first if you only need the basics.

Advantages:

• Completely free and open source.
• Compatible with popular file formats (DOCX, PDF, ODT, etc.).
• Multiple advanced features for professional use.

Disadvantages:

• It may consume more resources than WordPad.
• Less intuitive interface for newbies.

Google Docs: Unlimited online editing and collaboration

One of the big favorites if you're into working in the cloud: Google DocsAll you need is a Google account, and you can create, edit, and share documents from any browser or device. Everything is automatically saved to Google Drive and you can invite other people to edit in real time, add comments, or chat within the document itself.

It includes tools for formatting text, inserting tables, images, and links. Although It doesn't have as many advanced layout options as LibreOffice or Word., which is more than enough for most users. Plus, you can download what you write in DOCX, PDF, TXT, and other formats.

As if that weren't enough, Google Docs supports offline editing (enabled from Chrome), and is increasingly integrated with AI thanks to Google Gemini for creating and editing texts.

Advantages:

• Real-time collaboration with any user.
• Accessible from any computer with Internet.
• Automatic editing and compatible with other Google services.

Disadvantages:

• Requires internet connection (although offline mode is available).
• Not as advanced in form factor as desktop processors.

FocusWriter: Distraction-Free Writing

For those who want to focus exclusively on writing without temptations or notifications, FocusWriter is the perfect alternative. Its main bet is the extreme minimalism: empty screen, hidden toolbars and total concentration on the text.

Its functions include: timers and alarms to set work sessions, auto-save, and support for basic formatting. While you shouldn't expect features like images, tables, or complex formatting, it's ideal for writers, journalists, or those looking to produce long texts without distractions.

It is available for free for Windows and Linux.

Advantages:

• Distraction-free environment to maximize productivity.
• Alerts and timers to organize your writing sessions.
• Auto-save feature to prevent work loss.

Disadvantages:

• Very limited for advanced editing or complex formatting.
• Does not support rich file formats or online collaboration.

Markdown and its editors: the formatting language of the future

If you are looking for a truly portable and universal alternative, Markdown is the de facto standard for writing texts that can then be easily converted into HTML, PDF, DOCX, etc. Markdown is an extremely lightweight, plain text-based markup language that allows you to add bold, lists, titles, links and images just using a few simple characters on the keyboard.

There are multitude of free Markdown editorsFrom Notepad++ (for code fans), Joplin for taking organized notes, to Obsidian if you're looking to build your own "second brain" knowledge system. Many programs allow you to convert Markdown to other formats, so learning the basics is a long-term investment.

The big advantage is that Markdown documents will always be readable and interoperable, without depending on any proprietary software or licenses.And if you want something really simple, even Notepad itself can work (although without syntax highlighting).

Advantages:

• Portability and maximum compatibility with any system.
• Perfect for writers, programmers, bloggers and demanding users.
• Documents are always legible and easy to convert to other formats.

Disadvantages:

• It requires learning a little syntax (very simple in any case).
• It does not include advanced formatting or WYSIWYG editing in its basic mode.

Can I still use WordPad?

If you're nostalgic and don't want to give up WordPad, there's still a little trick: Make a copy of the "Accessories" folder in C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories before upgrading to Windows 11 24H2After the update, you'll just need to paste the folder back into the same location. Please note that WordPad will no longer receive updates, and you will be responsible for using it.

The disappearance of WordPad symbolizes the end of an era, but its gap is well covered by multiple optionsToday, it's easier than ever for users to choose how, where, and with which program to write, save, and share their texts. So you have everything you need to continue writing and organizing your ideas, no matter your level of need.