WordPad and Paint might become optional features for Windows 10

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Paint and WordPad might be uninstallable from Windows 10 in the relatively near future.

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Paint and WordPad might be optional features for Windows 10 in the future.
  • Both apps appeared in the Optional Features section of a recent Insider build of Windows 10.
  • Being optional features means that these apps could be uninstalled.

In the Optional Features sections, users can turn features on and off including Internet Explorer, several language options, and things like Microsoft Quick Assist. In the latest Insider build, users can uninstall WordPad and Microsoft Paint from their systems. Many users want the ability to uninstall any app or feature that they don't use, so this will likely be seen as a positive option.

Windows 10 Build 18963 included several enhancements to the Optional Features section, including being able to multi-select optional features and improved list management.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.