Short answer: sometimes, with caveats. The article is a hands-on opinion piece, not a benchmark. This piece separates what is documented from what is one writer's impression.
What Microsoft actually removed
Microsoft's documentation says WordPad is removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. The same documentation recommends Word for rich text such as .doc and .rtf, and Notepad for plain .txt files.
The removal has a practical side effect. Windows Latest reported that Windows no longer has a default RTF reader, so .rtf files won't open by default unless Word is installed. The removed binaries are wordpad.exe, wordpadfilter.dll and write.exe. Scripts or third-party tools that call those files directly will need updating.
If you are still on Windows 11 22H2 or 23H2, Techdows notes that WordPad is listed as an optional feature you can add back in Settings. That option does not exist on 24H2 or later.
The writer's claim that Word and Notepad sit at opposite ends of the spectrum, with nothing in the middle, is an editorial judgment. It is not a Microsoft finding. It is a fair description of the gap, though. WindowsForum coverage of the removal described WordPad as a middle ground between Notepad and Microsoft Word: free, simple, but capable of basic rich text formatting and opening .rtf files.
The three picks
AbiWord (for WordPad)
AbiWord is a free word processor. The article says it:
- Looks similar to WordPad in layout.
- Handles RTF.
- Saves in its own .abw format by default, but also supports .doc and .docx.
- Includes footnotes, tables, a table of contents and revision tracking.
The author also says it loads much faster than LibreOffice or ONLYOFFICE. That is a personal impression, with no test method or measurements given. Treat it as anecdote.
The author concedes that very complex DOCX files can look messy. File-format support does not guarantee fidelity, so test your own documents before committing. The listing for the Flatpak build reportedly shows x86_64 and aarch64 versions, with version 3.0.8 at last check. That is a research note I could not re-verify here.
This is not the only free route. Other guides suggest LibreOffice Writer for RTF, with the caveat that formatting may not always match perfectly. AbiWord's pitch is a smaller footprint.
OpenShot (for Windows Movie Maker)
The author's complaint about Microsoft's replacement is Clipchamp. He says it is a freemium app that pushes a subscription, with free exports capped at 1080p and 4K reserved for paid plans. I did not independently verify those plan limits. Microsoft's tiers change, so check your own account before relying on that claim.
OpenShot's appeal, per the article, is a similar-looking layout, unlimited tracks and a large library of effects and transitions. OpenShot's own feature page, as reviewed in the research, advertises unlimited tracks and broad format support. That is developer marketing, not independent testing. The OpenShot site also lists a 4.0.1 release with an improved Razor tool and Linux Snap support. The article says OpenShot is available as a Flatpak.
A useful note for Windows readers: OpenShot's developer says projects can move between Linux, macOS and Windows, and OpenShot itself has Windows builds. So you do not need Linux to try it. Kdenlive and Shotcut, which the author also mentions as free options, are likewise cross-platform. Whether OpenShot is closest to Movie Maker in spirit is the author's opinion.
Space Cadet Pinball (for 3D Pinball)
This one comes with the most caveats. The project's README describes it as a reverse engineering effort. More precisely, it covers 3D Pinball for Windows - Space Cadet, a game bundled with Windows. It is not an official Microsoft port.
The README says users must place the compiled executable into a folder containing original game resources (not included). It supports data files from the Windows and Full Tilt versions. The project also says it covers desktop Windows, Linux and macOS, so Linux is not required here either.
The README confirms the project is available as a Flatpak on Flathub. The Flathub listing I was given describes the package as community-provided and unverified by the developer, with x86_64 and aarch64 builds. The listing's own change notes are about three years old, so this is not a fresh release. I could not re-check the listing here.
Here is where the article and the documentation diverge. The writer says the game plays and feels exactly like the original. That is subjective. The README supports only that the project recreates the game through reverse engineering. Whether the Flathub package supplies the needed data files is not established by the sources I reviewed. Check that before assuming the install is turnkey.
Practical takeaways
- Check your Windows version first. WordPad is gone on 24H2 and later. It can still be re-added as an optional feature on 23H2 and earlier.
- Do not assume a drop-in replacement. These are alternatives that share a role. They are not clones.
- Test with real files. Open your actual RTF and DOCX documents in AbiWord before switching workflows.
- Treat speed claims as anecdote. No measurements were published.
- Verify provenance for the pinball game. It is a community reverse-engineering project, and the Flathub package is unverified.
- You do not need a Windows-XP-themed Linux desktop. The author's Linux Mint Xfce setup with a custom XP theme is his own configuration. It is not a prerequisite for any of the apps.
The bigger picture
The article makes a point that goes beyond three apps. When Microsoft retires a utility, a lightweight gap often opens between "too simple" and "too big." Notepad has gained features, and Word remains the full-fat option. Windows users who want a small RTF-capable editor have to look to third parties.
Linux's open-source ecosystem fills that gap well. Some of that software also runs on Windows, which makes it a reasonable option for anyone who wants WordPad-style simplicity without changing operating systems.
One more point for IT admins. In managed environments, a missing default RTF handler can surface as a support ticket, not a nostalgia problem. If your users still receive .rtf files, plan which app opens them. Word is Microsoft's stated answer. LibreOffice or AbiWord are the free alternatives, subject to fidelity testing.