Restore WordPad in Windows 11 24H2 After Deletion

The Windows 11 24H2 update is a significant release that introduces features such as Sudo for Windows, enhanced animations, and convenient additions like the new “refresh” button for Wi-Fi connectivity. However, this update also presents several known issues and a notable removal that may disappoint some users: the discontinuation of WordPad.

Upon installing the Windows 11 24H2 update via the Installation Assistant or. ISO files, you’ll quickly find that WordPad has been entirely removed. Microsoft has officially deprecated WordPad, and all associated files are absent starting from the Windows 11 2024 Update.

The executable file, WordPad.exe, is no longer available in Windows 11. When I inquired further, Microsoft’s response directed me to their support document, which explains that WordPad is considered obsolete as users now have superior alternatives like Microsoft Word. For basic text editing, Notepad is suggested, which has recently been upgraded with new features, including tab support.

WordPad will still be available in earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 11 23H2, Windows 11 22H2, and Windows 10 21H2. However, it has been completely removed from Windows 11 2024 Update and Windows Server 2025, which is being released concurrently with the consumer update.

Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Word for editing rich text documents such as. doc and. rtf files, while Notepad is advised for working with plain text documents like. txt.

“WordPad is removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025,” Microsoft acknowledged in their support document. “We recommend Microsoft Word for rich text documents like. doc and. rtf and Windows Notepad for plain text documents like. txt.”

Microsoft also warns that the removal of specific binaries may affect third-party applications that rely on WordPad. Most notably, without a default RTF reader in Windows,. rtf files cannot be opened by default unless Microsoft Word is installed.

The following binaries associated with WordPad have been removed in the Windows 11 24H2 update:

• Wordpad.exe
• wordpadfilter.dll
• write.exe

This necessitates that applications which previously directed users to open documentation in WordPad must now update their systems and recommend Microsoft Word or Notepad instead.

Can you restore WordPad? Yes, we have the solution.

If you have not yet upgraded to the Windows 11 2024 Update, you can easily back up the “Accessories” folder located at C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories.

By adding this folder to your new Windows installation, you can restore access to WordPad. It’s that straightforward.

If you have already upgraded, Windows Latest has created a backup archive that you can use to reinstate WordPad. You can access it from our OneDrive. The archive (.zip) includes the following folders:

• en-US with wordpad.exe.mui
• wordpad.exe
• WordpadFilter.dll

After extracting the. zip file, move these files to the Accessories folder as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Once the files are in place, you will be able to use WordPad again; however, keep in mind that it won’t appear in search results or the Start menu. You can pin it to the taskbar or create a desktop shortcut, and it will then show up in search results.

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