WordPad saves its files in RTF (Rich Text Format) or, in older versions, in Word 6.0/95 compatible DOC format. Word, on the other hand, has been using the DOCX format since 2007. The conversion between these two formats relies on Word’s native compatibility with RTF and DOC files, which simplifies the process.
RTF and DOC Formats of WordPad: What Word Can Natively Read
Before starting a conversion, it’s important to understand what a WordPad file actually contains. The RTF format stores rich text: bold, italic, font size, alignment, and some basic tables. The DOC format inherited from WordPad has a similar but older structure.
Word remains fully compatible with RTF and DOC files. This is the central point. Opening a WordPad file in Word does not trigger any complex conversion: Word directly interprets these formats without any add-ons.
The difficulty arises when the file comes from a very old version of WordPad. Microsoft has documented that WordPad can no longer save to certain old Word formats (Word 6.0/95) on recent versions of Windows. If the file was created a long time ago and kept unchanged, extraneous characters may appear upon opening.
To limit this risk, simply convert a WordPad file to Word by first saving it as RTF before switching to DOCX.
WordPad to Word Conversion: The Direct Method on Windows
The most reliable procedure requires no third-party tools. It relies on Word itself, which serves as both a reader and a converter.
Open and Save as DOCX
- In Word, select File, then Open. Navigate to the RTF or DOC file created by WordPad and open it.
- Check the formatting: fonts, alignments, tabs. Correct any misalignments before saving.
- Select File, then Save As. In the format dropdown menu, choose Word Document (.docx). Confirm.
This method preserves text, basic formatting, and tabs. Images inserted in the RTF are retained when converting to DOCX, provided they were embedded in the file and not simply linked.
Verification After Conversion
After saving as DOCX, reopen the file to check three elements: page breaks, table headers, and special characters (accents, French quotes). Old WordPad files sometimes use a different encoding than what Word expects, which can turn accents into incoherent symbols.
If strange characters appear, the issue often stems from the encoding of the source file. Reopening the file by forcing UTF-8 or Windows-1252 encoding in Word’s opening options fixes most of these artifacts.
End of WordPad on Windows 11: Preparing for File Migration
Microsoft has removed WordPad starting from Windows 11 24H2. The application is no longer pre-installed and no longer receives updates. RTF files remain readable by Word, LibreOffice, or Notepad (without formatting for the latter), but the native editor has disappeared.
This removal has practical consequences for users who have stored work documents in WordPad for years. Several recent troubleshooting guides report a rising trend in recovering corrupted WordPad files via Windows temporary folders. Office’s AutoRecover locations sometimes allow for finding a usable version of a document lost during the transition.
To anticipate, two simple precautions work:
- Convert all RTF files to DOCX before updating Windows to a version that removes WordPad. A batch process in Word (via a macro or manually) prevents forgetfulness.
- Immediately back up each converted file in a synchronized location (OneDrive, for example). The AutoSave feature integrated into recent versions of Microsoft 365 protects against accidental losses during handling.
- Keep a copy of the original RTF file until the conversion has been verified. A corrupted RTF may sometimes be partially recoverable, while a poorly converted DOCX is much less so.
Conversion Without Installed Word: Free Online and Offline Alternatives
Not all workstations have a Word license. In this case, two options work without purchasing software.
LibreOffice Writer
LibreOffice natively opens RTF and DOC files. The procedure is the same: open the file, then save it as DOCX via the Save As menu. The formatting compatibility between LibreOffice and Word remains good for simple documents (text, lists, basic tables). Complex documents with OLE objects or VBA macros pose more problems.
Online Converters
Online tools allow you to drag an RTF file and receive a DOCX in return. The file passes through a remote server, raising a privacy concern for sensitive documents. For personal correspondence or a work note, this solution is suitable. For a legal or confidential document, it’s better to stick to a local conversion with Word or LibreOffice.
The key takeaway remains the simplicity of the conversion: an RTF WordPad file opens directly in Word, is verified in seconds, and saved as DOCX. The disappearance of WordPad under Windows 11 makes this operation all the more relevant for properly archiving old documents before an encoding or corruption issue complicates recovery.