In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to unisntall WordPad and, consequently, reclaim valuable disk space.
Whether you’re seeking to free up space, reduce clutter, or simply prefer more robust word processing alternatives, uninstalling WordPad can indeed be a smart move.
To begin with, here is a quick step-by-step guide to uninstall WordPad from Windows:
- Open Settings
- Click on “Apps” in the left-hand menu
- Choose “Optional features” from the right-hand pane
- Scroll down to the “Installed features” section and locate “WordPad”
- Click on the down arrow next to WordPad and then click “Uninstall”
However, it’s important to note that this is just one method to uninstall WordPad from Windows.
Therefore, we encourage you to continue reading the blog further to discover additional methods, each with their detailed steps, to effectively uninstall WordPad from Windows.
Moreover, we also provide comprehensive instructions on how to reinstall WordPad, should you wish to do so in the future.
How to uninstall WordPad from Windows 11 ?
WordPad is a basic text editor that comes pre-installed on Windows. While it’s useful for simple text editing, it might not be necessary for everyone.
Therefore, if you’re looking to free up disk space or declutter your system, uninstalling WordPad is a good option.
To help you achieve this, here are several methods to uninstall WordPad from Windows 11:
Method 1: Using Settings
This is the most straightforward method to uninstall WordPad in Windows 11.
- Open Settings: First, press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Apps: Next, select on “Apps” in the left-hand menu.
- Select Optional Features: Then, choose “Optional features” from the menu.
- Find WordPad: After that, scroll down and locate “WordPad.”
- Uninstall WordPad: Finally, click on WordPad and then select “Uninstall.”
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Method 2: Using PowerShell
If the Settings method doesn’t work for you, alternatively, you can try using PowerShell.
- Open PowerShell: Firstly, search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-click on “Windows PowerShell” or “PowerShell”, and select “Run as administrator.”
- Uninstall WordPad: Subsequently, paste the following command into PowerShell and press Enter: Remove-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsWordPad
Method 3: Using Control Panel
- Open Control Panel: To begin, press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.
- Programs and Features: Next, click on “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
- Turn Windows Features On or Off: Then, click on “Turn Windows features on or off” on the left sidebar.
- Locate WordPad: Lastly, in the list, find “WordPad” and uncheck the box next to it.
Method 4: Using Command Prompt (Advanced Users)
This method requires more technical knowledge and is generally not recommended for average users.
- Open Command Prompt: First, search for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt”, and select “Run as administrator.”
- Uninstall WordPad: Then, paste the following command into Command Prompt and press Enter: dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:WordPad
Note: However, this method might not completely remove WordPad, and some system files related to WordPad could remain.
Additional Tips
- Verify Removal: After uninstalling WordPad, try searching for it in the Start menu to ensure it’s completely removed.
- Restart Your PC: Moreover, it’s recommended to restart your PC after uninstalling WordPad to apply changes effectively.
- Consider Alternatives: Lastly, if you need a basic text editor, explore other options like Notepad or free third-party text editors.
How to uninstall WordPad from Windows 10 ?
Uninstalling WordPad from Windows 10 can help streamline your system by removing unnecessary applications.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to unisntall WordPad using both the Windows Features dialog and PowerShell commands, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process.
Method 1: Using Settings
- Open Settings: First, press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Apps: Then, click on “Apps” from the menu.
- Optional Features: Next, select “Optional features”.
- Find WordPad: After that, scroll down to the “Installed features” section and locate “WordPad.”
- Uninstall: Lastly, click on the down arrow next to WordPad and then click “Uninstall”.
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Method 2: Using PowerShell (Recommended)
This method is generally considered the safest way to remove WordPad.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator: First, search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-click on “Windows PowerShell,” and select “Run as administrator.”
- Execute the Command: Then, in the PowerShell window, paste the following command and press Enter: Remove-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsWordPad
Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor (Advanced Users)
This method requires administrative privileges and is more complex.
- Open Group Policy Editor: to begin, press the Windows key + R, type “gpedit.msc,” and press Enter.
- Navigate to WordPad Settings: Next, go to “Computer Configuration” -> “Administrative Templates” -> “Windows Components” -> “File Explorer.”
- Disable WordPad: Subsequently, find the policy named “Remove WordPad” and enable it.
- Apply Changes: Finally, apply the changes and restart your computer.
Method 4: Using Control Panel
- Open Control Panel: To start, press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.
- Programs and Features: Next, click on “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
- Turn Windows Features On or Off: Then, click on “Turn Windows features on or off” on the left sidebar.
- Locate WordPad: After that, in the list, find “WordPad” and uncheck the box next to it.
- Apply Changes: Finally, click “OK” and follow the prompts to uninstall WordPad.
How to reinstall WordPad on Windows 11 and Windows 10 ?
To install WordPad in Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can follow these detailed steps:
Method 1: Using Settings
- Open Settings: First, press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Apps: Next, select “Apps” from the menu.
- Optional Features: Then, select “Optional features”.
- Add a Feature: After that, click on “View features” next to “Add an optional feature.”
- Search for WordPad: subsequently, in the search box, type “WordPad.”
- Install: Finally, check the box next to WordPad and click “Next,” then click “Install”.
Also Check: How to uninstall Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 10 ?
Note: If you can’t find the Optional Features option in Windows 10 Settings, open Settings and search for “Optional Features” in the search bar. Then, follow the remaining steps:
Method 2: Using PowerShell
- Open PowerShell as Administrator: To begin, press Win + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
- Run Install Command: Then, type the following command and press Enter: Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name “Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0”
- Wait for Completion: Lastly, wait for the process to complete, and WordPad will be installed.
Method 3: Using Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator: First, press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin).”
- Run Install Command: Next, type the following command and press Enter: dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0
- Wait for Completion: Finally, wait for the process to complete, and WordPad will be installed.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to streamline your system or simply prefer alternative text editors, managing WordPad on your Windows device is a straightforward process.
To help you achieve this, we’ve provided multiple methods for both uninstalling and reinstalling WordPad on Windows 10 and 11, catering to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
Remember, uninstalling WordPad can free up space and reduce clutter, while reinstalling it can restore this basic yet functional text editor if needed.
Whichever route you choose, always ensure you’re comfortable with the process and have alternatives in place if necessary.
Ultimately, by following our step-by-step guides, you can easily customize your Windows experience to suit your needs.
Source: [ answers.microsoft, windowsclub, tenforums, thegeekpage ]
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
To remove WordPad from Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Optional features, find WordPad, and click “Uninstall.” Alternatively, use PowerShell with the command Remove-WindowsCapability -Online -Name “Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0”. You can also use Command Prompt with dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.WordPad~~~~0.0.1.0.
Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to “Apps” in the sidebar.
Click on “Default apps.”
Scroll to “Choose default apps by file type.”
Change the default app for file types like .rtf and .txt to your preferred app.
Yes, WordPad is being discontinued. Microsoft has announced its removal from future Windows releases. It will no longer be available for installation.
