Windows Write
Encyclopedia
Microsoft Write is a basic word processor
that came with Microsoft Windows 1.0
, Windows 2.0
, and the Windows 3.x
series. Throughout its lifespan it was minimally updated, and is comparable to early versions of MacWrite
. Early versions of Write only worked with Write (.wri) files, but with the modernization of Microsoft Word
for Windows in 1989, and the introduction of Windows 3.0
the following year, Write became capable of reading and composing early Word (.doc) documents. With Windows 3.1, Write became OLE
capable.
Write is similar to the modern WordPad, which was introduced in Windows 95
, and like WordPad
, Write was more advanced than Notepad (though Notepad's simplicity is an intentional feature to make basic text operations faster and easier) and was considered a modern word processor. However, Write did not have the many features of software such as Microsoft Word. Write had automatic pagination
which WordPad lacks.
In Windows 95
and Windows XP
onward, Windows Write
simply executes WordPad.
announced an agreement with Microsoft to bring Microsoft Write to the Atari ST
.
Unlike the Windows version, Microsoft Write for the Atari ST was the Atari version of Microsoft Word
1.05 released for the Apple Macintosh while sharing the same name as the program included with Microsoft Windows
during the 80s and early 90s. While the program was announced in 1986, various delays caused the program to arrive in 1988. The Atari version was a one time release and was never updated unlike the Windows versions which were updated minimally.
Microsoft Write for the Atari ST retailed at $129.95 and was one of two high profile PC applications that were released on the Atari platform (the other application was WordPerfect
).
in the Macintosh word processor market. Write was priced at $175, compared to Word's $395 and MacWrite's $125 pricetags. Write is best described as Word locked in "Short Menus" mode, and as such it used the same file format so that users could exchange files with absolutely no conversion necessary. Write did not sell well and was discontinued before the System 7
era.
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
that came with Microsoft Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical operating environment, developed by Microsoft and released on 20 November 1985. It was Microsoft's first attempt to implement a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based operating environment on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the first version of Windows...
, Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0 is a 16-bit Microsoft Windows GUI-based operating environment that was released on December 9, 1987 and is the successor to Windows 1.0. With Windows 2.1x in 1988, Windows 2.0 was supplemented by Windows/286 and Windows/386...
, and the Windows 3.x
Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
series. Throughout its lifespan it was minimally updated, and is comparable to early versions of MacWrite
MacWrite
MacWrite was a word processor application released along with the first Apple Macintosh systems in 1984. It was the first such program that was widely available to the public to offer WYSIWYG operation, with multiple fonts and styles...
. Early versions of Write only worked with Write (.wri) files, but with the modernization of Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
for Windows in 1989, and the introduction of Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0, a graphical environment, is the third major release of Microsoft Windows, and was released on 22 May 1990. It became the first widely successful version of Windows and a rival to Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga on the GUI front...
the following year, Write became capable of reading and composing early Word (.doc) documents. With Windows 3.1, Write became OLE
Object Linking and Embedding
Object Linking and Embedding is a technology developed by Microsoft that allows embedding and linking to documents and other objects. For developers, it brought OLE Control eXtension , a way to develop and use custom user interface elements...
capable.
Write is similar to the modern WordPad, which was introduced in Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
, and like WordPad
WordPad
WordPad is a basic word processor that is included with almost all versions of Microsoft Windows from Windows 95 upwards. It is more advanced than Notepad but simpler than Microsoft Works Word Processor and Microsoft Word. It replaced Microsoft Write....
, Write was more advanced than Notepad (though Notepad's simplicity is an intentional feature to make basic text operations faster and easier) and was considered a modern word processor. However, Write did not have the many features of software such as Microsoft Word. Write had automatic pagination
Pagination
Pagination is the process of dividing information into discrete pages, either electronic pages or printed pages. Today the latter are usually simply instances of the former that have been outputted to a printing device, such as a desktop printer or a modern printing press...
which WordPad lacks.
In Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
and Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
onward, Windows Write
Windows Write
Microsoft Write is a basic word processor that came with Microsoft Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, and the Windows 3.x series. Throughout its lifespan it was minimally updated, and is comparable to early versions of MacWrite...
simply executes WordPad.
Microsoft Write for Atari ST
In 1986, AtariAtari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
announced an agreement with Microsoft to bring Microsoft Write to the Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
.
Unlike the Windows version, Microsoft Write for the Atari ST was the Atari version of Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
1.05 released for the Apple Macintosh while sharing the same name as the program included with Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
during the 80s and early 90s. While the program was announced in 1986, various delays caused the program to arrive in 1988. The Atari version was a one time release and was never updated unlike the Windows versions which were updated minimally.
Microsoft Write for the Atari ST retailed at $129.95 and was one of two high profile PC applications that were released on the Atari platform (the other application was WordPerfect
WordPerfect
WordPerfect is a word processing application, now owned by Corel.Bruce Bastian, a Brigham Young University graduate student, and BYU computer science professor Dr. Alan Ashton joined forces to design a word processing system for the city of Orem's Data General Corp. minicomputer system in 1979...
).
Microsoft Write for Macintosh
In October 1987 Microsoft released Microsoft Write for Macintosh. Write was a version of Microsoft Word with limited features that Microsoft hoped would replace aging MacWriteMacWrite
MacWrite was a word processor application released along with the first Apple Macintosh systems in 1984. It was the first such program that was widely available to the public to offer WYSIWYG operation, with multiple fonts and styles...
in the Macintosh word processor market. Write was priced at $175, compared to Word's $395 and MacWrite's $125 pricetags. Write is best described as Word locked in "Short Menus" mode, and as such it used the same file format so that users could exchange files with absolutely no conversion necessary. Write did not sell well and was discontinued before the System 7
System 7
System 7 is the name of a Macintosh operating system introduced in 1991.System 7 may also refer to:* System 7 , a British dance/ambient band* System 7 , 1991 album* IBM System/7, a 1970s computer system...
era.