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WordPad can still be added to some Windows 10 installations, but Microsoft removed it from Windows 11 version 24H2 and later. There is no supported Microsoft download or Store package that restores WordPad on those newer Windows 11 builds. First check your Windows version, then use the supported Feature on Demand command only when your system is eligible.
Can you still install WordPad?
| Windows version | What to do |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 version 2004 or later | Try installing the WordPad Feature on Demand with DISM or PowerShell. |
| Windows 10 earlier than version 2004 | WordPad may already be included in the Windows image. Check the Start menu and C:Program FilesWindows NTAccessories. |
| Windows 11 before 24H2 | WordPad was generally included rather than separately installed. Search for it or investigate a customized or damaged Windows installation. |
| Windows 11 version 24H2 or later | WordPad was removed. Microsoft provides no supported reinstall method. |
| Windows Server 2025 or later | WordPad was removed along with Windows 11 24H2. |
Microsoft says WordPad was removed from every Windows edition beginning with Windows 11 24H2. The removed files include wordpad.exe, wordpadfilter.dll, and write.exe. See Microsoft’s deprecated features documentation and its Windows feature-removal table.
Step 1: Check your Windows version
The version number matters more than simply knowing that you use Windows 10 or Windows 11.
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- Type
winver. - Press Enter.
- Record the Windows edition and version, such as Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 23H2, or Windows 11 24H2.
You can also check from PowerShell:
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsBuildNumberIf the result is Windows 11 24H2 or newer, skip the Windows 10 installation commands. They will not bring WordPad back because the component has been removed from the operating system.
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Install WordPad on eligible Windows 10 systems
Microsoft documents WordPad as a Feature on Demand for Windows 10 version 2004 and later. The capability is named Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0 and is approximately 6.57 MB. Installation still depends on Windows being able to obtain the matching package from Windows Update, WSUS, or a suitable local source.
Option 1: Use DISM
- Open Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt as administrator. Search for the program, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Run this command:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0- Wait while DISM contacts Windows Update or the configured Features on Demand source.
- Restart Windows if DISM requests it.
- Press the Windows key, search for WordPad, and open it.
- Create or open an
.rtffile to confirm that it works.
Microsoft’s DISM capability documentation explains how /Add-Capability obtains and installs optional Windows capabilities.
Option 2: Use PowerShell
Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0"The Add-WindowsCapability documentation states that, without a source parameter, Windows can obtain the package through Windows Update or an active WSUS connection.
Install from a local Features on Demand source
This route is mainly for enterprise-managed or offline Windows 10 PCs. A local source must contain the correct WordPad package for the installed Windows build, architecture, language, and servicing level.
DISM /Online /Add-Capability ^
/CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0 ^
/Source:D:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures ^
/LimitAccessD:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures is only an example path. Replace it with the location of your authorized Features on Demand repository.
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/Sourcetells DISM where to find the capability package./LimitAccessprevents DISM from contacting Windows Update.- The package must match the installed Windows build and servicing level. A random CAB file downloaded from the internet is not a trustworthy substitute.
If the source does not match, DISM may report a source, applicability, or version error. Microsoft documents these options in its capability servicing reference.
Why the command does not work on Windows 11 24H2
On Windows 11 24H2 and later, WordPad is not merely hidden. Microsoft removed the component and its supporting files. Consequently:
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- The Windows 10 capability command is not a universal Windows 11 solution.
- WordPad does not appear as a normal Microsoft Store app.
- An Optional Features screen cannot add back a component that is no longer included in the release.
- There is no official Microsoft WordPad installer for these versions.
Do not keep retrying the DISM command after confirming that the PC runs Windows 11 24H2 or later. Microsoft recommends Word for rich-text documents and Notepad for plain-text files.
What not to do
- Do not download
wordpad.exefrom a random website. The file may be modified, incomplete, malicious, or incompatible with your build. - Do not treat a copied executable as a supported installation. Files copied from another PC may come from a different build and may lack DLLs, language resources, registrations, or compatible dependencies.
- Do not rely on registry hacks. Creating an
.rtffile association or a Start-menu shortcut does not reinstall WordPad. - Do not use pirated or modified Windows packages to recover a discontinued component.
If WordPad files were copied from another computer, that is an unsupported workaround, not an official installation. Microsoft also warns developers not to take direct dependencies on the removed binaries.
If you have Windows 11 before 24H2
WordPad should normally already be present on an earlier Windows 11 release. Search for WordPad from the Start menu. If it is missing, the Windows image may have been customized, damaged, or incompletely serviced.
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Do not assume that the Windows 10 Feature on Demand command is the normal fix for these Windows 11 versions. Check the build, confirm whether the executable exists with where wordpad and where write, and use Windows repair or your organization’s deployment procedures if the installation has been modified.
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Opening files after WordPad is gone
| File type or need | Suitable application |
|---|---|
.txt plain text |
Notepad |
.rtf rich text |
Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, or another reputable RTF-capable editor |
.doc or .docx |
Microsoft Word, Word for the web, LibreOffice Writer, or another compatible word processor |
Notepad is an appropriate replacement for WordPad’s plain-text use case, but it is not a full rich-text replacement. It does not provide the same RTF formatting workflow.
Choose a replacement
For plain text: Notepad
Use Notepad for notes and unformatted .txt files. It is the simplest option and is already included with supported Windows versions.
For a free offline desktop editor: LibreOffice Writer
LibreOffice is a free, open-source desktop office suite with Writer and broad document-format support. It is much larger and more capable than WordPad, and complex Microsoft Office documents may not preserve every formatting detail when saved.
For Microsoft-format compatibility: Microsoft Word
Word is the strongest fit for .doc, .docx, and professional .rtf workflows. Microsoft also provides Word for the web. The web version is useful for occasional editing, but it requires a browser and a Microsoft account; desktop Microsoft 365 plans and current pricing vary by market and plan.
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For browser-based collaboration: Google Docs
Google Docs suits users who want browser editing and collaboration. It is less suitable for offline-first local RTF work or for anyone who does not want documents stored in a cloud account.
For a lightweight third-party editor
A reputable lightweight RTF editor may feel closer to WordPad. Evaluate the publisher, update history, privacy policy, installer source, supported formats, and security reputation before installing it. Do not select an application merely because it appears beside an unofficial “WordPad download” search result.
Set a new default app for RTF or DOCX files
Windows 11
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps, then Default apps.
- Search for the extension, such as
.rtfor.docx. - Select the preferred application and confirm the change.
Windows 10
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps, then Default apps.
- Select Choose default apps by file type.
- Locate
.rtf,.doc, or.docx, then choose the application.
Labels can vary slightly between Windows releases, so searching for the extension is usually more reliable than looking for an identical menu layout.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting WordPad installation
“Capability not found”
Run winver and verify the capability name. Common causes include Windows 11 24H2 or later, an unsupported Windows version, a misspelled capability name, or a servicing source that does not contain the package. If the PC is on Windows 11 24H2 or later, stop troubleshooting the command: WordPad has been removed.
“Source files could not be found”
Windows Update may be blocked, the PC may use WSUS or an organization policy, or the local Features on Demand repository may be missing or mismatched.
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- On a normally managed personal PC, retry the command without
/LimitAccess. - On a work or school PC, ask the administrator for the organization’s matching Features on Demand repository.
- Do not substitute an arbitrary CAB file from a download site.
WordPad installs but does not appear in Search
Check whether the executable is present:
where wordpad
where writeRestart Windows and search again. If the executable exists but files open in the wrong program, set the .rtf or .docx association manually through Settings.
Important Windows 10 support warning
Although eligible Windows 10 systems may still retain the WordPad Feature on Demand path, Windows 10 reached the end of general support on October 14, 2025. Keeping an unsupported operating system solely to retain WordPad is a significant security trade-off. Microsoft explains the broader end-of-support context here.
Similarly, staying on an older Windows 11 release may preserve an included copy of WordPad, but delaying supported security updates just for a basic editor is generally difficult to justify. Choose a maintained replacement instead unless you have a specific, managed reason to preserve the older environment.
Bottom line
Use the official DISM or PowerShell Feature on Demand method on Windows 10 version 2004 and later when a valid package source is available. On Windows 11 versions before 24H2, WordPad should already be included. On Windows 11 24H2 or later, Microsoft has removed WordPad and does not provide a supported installer—use Notepad for plain text, LibreOffice for free offline rich-text editing, or Word when Microsoft Office compatibility matters.
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