Windows 95/98 Uses Write.exe for Backward Compatibility

Windows 95/98 does not include Write, a word processing tool included with earlier versions of Windows. Write has been replaced with WordPad, a word processing tool with more features. For backward compatibility, Windows 95/98 includes a file called Write.exe located in the Windows folder.

The Write.exe file included with Windows 95/98 is a small program that accepts the same parameters as the version of Write included with earlier versions of Windows. The Write.exe file included with Windows 95/98 starts WordPad and then passes the command-line parameters to WordPad. This behavior allows 16-bit programs that use Write.exe to run without modification in Windows 95/98. 32-bit programs should use WordPad instead of Write for future portability.

If you want to use the version of Write included with earlier versions of Windows, you must expand the Write.exe file from your original Windows or Windows for Workgroups version 3.x disks. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Rename the Write.exe file in the Windows folder to a different name.
2. Locate the Write.ex_ file using the table below. Insert the appropriate disk in a floppy disk drive.
3. At a command prompt, type the following command and then press ENTER:
   
   expand -r a:\write.ex_ c:\windows

NOTE: These steps assume you have inserted the floppy disk in drive A and that Windows 95/98 is installed in the Windows folder on drive C. If you are using a different drive or folder, modify the line in step 3 accordingly.

Location of the Write.exe file: