Based on the context provided in your query, there appears to be a confusion between the official Microsoft WordPad and a potential third-party tool. However, the available information specifically addresses the security of Microsoft WordPad, which is being deprecated, and notes that it will be removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. 1. Is Microsoft WordPad Safe?
Legacy Security Risks: Historically, a remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2017-8588) existed in how WordPad parsed specially crafted files.
Embedded Content Risks: WordPad has had issues with OLE objects (embedded content) enabling the activation of malicious code from documents downloaded from the web.
No Future Security Updates: Microsoft is no longer updating WordPad. While using existing versions on older Windows systems is generally safe for basic text, it will not receive patches for new vulnerabilities, making it less secure over time. 2. Compatibility and Future
Deprecation: WordPad is being removed from Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025.
Alternatives: Microsoft recommends Microsoft Word for rich text (.doc, .rtf) and Windows Notepad for plain text (.txt).
File Access: Your existing WordPad files (.rtf, .txt) will remain safe and can be opened in alternative applications like Microsoft Word or LibreOffice. 3. Regarding “SGSoft”
The search results do not provide information on a product named “SGSoft WordPad.” If this is a third-party application, it is essential to verify its source to ensure it is not malicious software masquerading as a text editor.
Safety Verdict: While official Microsoft WordPad is safe from a “malware” perspective (it won’t inherently infect your computer), its lack of security updates makes it a risky choice for opening files from untrusted sources, and it is being phased out entirely. If you’d like, I can: Recommend secure open-source alternatives to WordPad. Tell you how to completely remove WordPad from your system. Explain how to securely open .rtf files in Microsoft Word.
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