A selection of classic Windows programs continues to play a vital role in the Windows ecosystem in 2025, with performance enhancements keeping them relevant.
Evolution of Notepad and MSTSC
Notepad, known for its swift start-up and simplicity, has weathered many updates to remain indispensable. Recent features include tabs, dark mode, autosave, and Copilot integration, expanding its utility. Meanwhile, Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC), in service for over two decades, remains a key remote-access tool, backed by Microsoft to continue support. Its integration with Active Directory and Group Policy maintains its status as an essential IT resource.
Persistence of Control Panel and Task Manager
The Control Panel, despite attempts to migrate functionalities to a modern Settings app, persists. Many deep system configurations are still most efficiently accessed here. Similarly, Task Manager has grown from a simple task killer to an advanced system monitor showing CPU, memory, GPU, and network metrics, enhancing its value as a diagnostics tool.
Registry Editor, Command Prompt, and PowerShell
The Registry Editor remains core for system modifications, keeping its familiar tree-view layout unchanged for those needing direct registry access. Both Command Prompt and PowerShell continue to serve critical roles; Command Prompt supports legacy operations while PowerShell enables robust scripting and automation. Often these are accessed within the modern Windows Terminal.
