Microsoft makes WordPad and Paint optional with Windows

Microsoft has released build version 18963 of Windows 10 20H1 to Insider users. WordPad and Paint are optional in the version, due to be released to the general public next year. Task Manager also shows the GPU temperature.

Microsoft has added Paint and WordPad to Windows 10 20H1 build version 18963 on the list of ‘optional components’ and the programs can be removed from the test version. Windows Latest found that after updating to that Windows version. After removal, the programs can be installed again via the ‘Add a component’ option in the optional components.

Microsoft announced two years ago that Paint would disappear from Windows and would appear in the Microsoft Store as Classic Paint, because its successor Paint 3D is now in the operating system. That decision was criticized and Microsoft has since left Paint in Windows 10. From the first half of next year, the company seems to have sidetracked the drawing application, which has been part of Windows since 1985 with the release of version 1.0.

In an explanation of the release of build version 18963 of Windows 10 20H1, Microsoft does not report anything about Paint and WordPad. The company does announce that NotePad will now receive updates via the Microsoft Store, so that updating this simple word processor is no longer tied to Windows updates.

With the upcoming Windows version, Task Manager will also show the GPU temperature if the user has a separate video card in his system. Microsoft also makes it possible for some Insider users to name virtual desktops. Until now, new virtual desktops were automatically labeled ‘Desktop 1’, ‘Desktop 2’ and so on. This name is retained after a reboot. Microsoft is going to release this feature to more testers in the coming months.