6 Classic Windows Programs That Are Still Going Strong in 2025

Unlike the apps Microsoft has quietly retired over the years, these old favorites seem to be the backbone of what still makes Windows feel special. It's as if Microsoft can't bring itself to remove them. Or maybe they just know that these stubborn, simple little programs are what hold the operating system together.

 

Notepad

Simplicity outlasts alternatives

 

Notepad has quietly survived decades of Windows redesigns, remaining the default text editor for over 30 years. Microsoft tried to nudge people towards WordPad (now gone), but nothing has matched Notepad's instant launch, clean simplicity, and sheer charm. It's just a program that still feels light and reliable, no matter how Windows changes.

Remote Desktop Connection

Modern remote working platform

 

Remote Desktop Connection, or MSTSC, has been quietly keeping Windows systems connected for over 20 years—and it's still very useful. First introduced in the Windows NT era, this legacy tool remains a popular way to access computers remotely, whether in the office, classroom, or home. Even as Microsoft discontinues support for the newer Remote Desktop UWP app and encourages everyone to move to the modern Windows app, MSTSC isn't dead.

Control Panel

The interface that Microsoft cannot ignore

 

If there's one Windows app that's never going away, it's the Control Panel. Since the earliest versions of Windows, it's long served as the central hub for system configuration through various "applets," allowing you to manage everything from devices and user accounts to networking, drivers, and accessibility settings. While it's less prominent than it once was, there are still a few quick ways to open the Control Panel .

Microsoft has spent over a decade trying to move everything to the modern Settings app, and yet somehow the Control Panel still exists.

Task Manager

From emergency tool to performance dashboard

For most of us, Task Manager started out as just a 'force quit' button: Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to quit a frozen app and hope nothing else crashes. But over the years, it has evolved into one of the most powerful productivity tools built into Windows.

 

Task Manager now shows more than just CPU and memory stats. You can see GPU load, network activity, and even how much power each app is using.

Registry Editor (regedit)

The heart of Windows configuration

Tweaking the Registry Editor comes with a warning note that says something like 'Back up your registry first' or 'Create a restore point.' This built-in tool gives you direct access to the Windows Registry, the hierarchical database that stores all your operating system settings, driver configurations, application preferences, and system policies. One wrong move and things can go horribly wrong. But done right, you can fix problems that no other menu can.

Visually, it hasn't changed much in decades. The familiar tree layout and stern launch warnings are still there, and that consistency is part of its appeal.

Command Prompt and PowerShell

Where commands become actions

Command Prompt , or cmd.exe, is still used mostly for its simplicity and the benefits of legacy software that still relies on it. It's fast, lightweight, and great for things like moving files, running network tests, or creating batch scripts. Meanwhile, PowerShell has evolved into something much more powerful. It's a full scripting environment built for advanced system management and automation.