Windows WordPad Text Editor
wordpad.exe is safe. WordPad is a lightweight Windows text editor provided by Microsoft, using minimal resources for basic document editing.
wordpad.exe is the Windows WordPad editor, a lightweight rich-text editor included with Windows. It opens basic document formats such as .rtf and .txt, offering essential formatting without the full Office suite. WordPad runs as a separate process when you edit or create documents from Explorer or File > Open.
WordPad uses a simple RichEdit-based editor to render text and formatting. It runs as its own process to isolate editing tasks from the shell, improving stability and security. It supports basic styling but lacks macros and advanced features found in Word.
Quick Fact: WordPad has long been a lightweight option for quick edits without needing Office.
Yes, wordpad.exe is safe when it is the legitimate file from Microsoft downloaded from official sources (Microsoft.com or pre-installed by the OS).
The real wordpad.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.
C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe or C:\Windows\System32\wordpad.exe. Any wordpad.exe elsewhere is suspicious.Red Flags: If wordpad.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when no WordPad actions occur, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software. Look for similarly named files like "wordpadx.exe" from untrusted sources.
wordpad.exe runs when you open Windows WordPad or when a file association launches WordPad to edit a document.
Reasons it's running:
WordPad is a built-in Windows utility, so you typically cannot uninstall it like a normal program. You can disable its startup exposure or remove the feature via Optional Features on some Windows editions.
If wordpad.exe is behaving unexpectedly or using resources, try these targeted fixes.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close all WordPad windows and restart the app only when needed
2. Update Windows to ensure WordPad components are current
3. Set a different editor as default for .rtf and .txt
4. If WordPad is slow with large files, convert to plain text to edit and reformat later
5. Check for malware if WordPad exhibits network activity or unexpected behaviors
No, the legitimate wordpad.exe from Microsoft is not a virus. Ensure it is located at C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe or C:\Windows\System32\wordpad.exe and has a valid digital signature from Microsoft.
WordPad typically uses minimal CPU. High usage usually occurs if editing large or complex documents, or if multiple WordPad windows are open. Close unnecessary windows or restart WordPad.
WordPad is a built-in Windows component and cannot be uninstalled from all editions. You can disable its exposure or change file associations to use another editor.
Yes, you can disable WordPad exposure via Startup settings or Optional Features on certain Windows editions. This does not remove the executable, but limits its availability.
If a file association is broken or the document is corrupted, WordPad may fail to open. Try opening from WordPad with File > Open and verify the file format compatibility (.rtf, .txt).
WordPad supports plain text (.txt) and rich text format (.rtf). It can also display basic formatted content but does not support .docx or macros.