Microsoft Notepad Gets Its Biggest Overhaul Yet — New Features, Same Simplicity
Published on Techxnow News | June 2025
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For decades, Microsoft Notepad has been the go-to utility for users seeking a lightweight, distraction-free text editor. Known for its barebones interface and reliable performance, Notepad has long been a quiet champion in Windows’ built-in software suite. Now, in a bold move, Microsoft is rolling out a major update. For the first time in years, Notepad is transforming — and it’s no longer just about plain text.
A New Era for Notepad: Formatting Comes to Life
With the latest update in the Canary and Dev Channels of Windows 11, Notepad is getting rich text formatting for the first time. That’s right — the once minimalist app now lets you make text bold or italic. You can also insert clickable links and even use Markdown syntax.
This evolution is centered around a newly introduced formatting toolbar, which appears at the top of the app window, right alongside the classic File, Edit, and View menus. Users will now be able to:
- Style text with bold, italics, and underline
- Create bullet and numbered lists
- Add headers and subheaders
- Insert and edit links
- Use Markdown formatting in real time
These features mark a significant step forward, pushing Notepad closer to the now-retired WordPad, which was officially phased out by Microsoft in 2023.
Modern Features, Familiar Experience
Despite the added power, Microsoft has taken care to ensure that Notepad remains true to its roots. For those who love the simplicity of plain text, a one-click option lets users strip away formatting or disable rich text entirely. This ensures Notepad still caters to coders, scripters, and users who want a clean workspace free from visual clutter.
Microsoft says the new features are optional and easy to use. Users can turn formatting on or off anytime, based on their preference. Whether you’re coding, jotting quick notes, or writing longer content, the updated Notepad adapts to your needs — without forcing change.
AI Joins the Party: Introducing the “Write” Tool
In addition to formatting upgrades, Notepad is also dipping into AI capabilities. The update introduces a new AI-powered “Write” tool, which allows users to generate content using simple prompts. While the feature is still in its early stages, it highlights Microsoft’s intention to integrate AI productivity tools across its entire ecosystem — even in legacy apps like Notepad.
Need a quick email draft? A blog post outline? Or a neatly worded list? The “Write” tool aims to assist without overcomplicating, providing smart suggestions while keeping the editor uncluttered.
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The Bigger Picture: Notepad as a Modern Writing Platform
Taken together, these updates signal a new vision for Notepad — one that blends traditional simplicity with the flexibility of modern text editors. By adding formatting, AI-assisted writing, and Markdown support, Microsoft is reimagining Notepad as a versatile platform that can meet the needs of developers, students, content creators, and everyday users alike.
This move is also in line with Microsoft’s broader efforts to modernize its built-in Windows apps, ensuring they remain relevant in a world of evolving user expectations. As applications like OneNote and Word cater to heavy-duty workflows, Notepad is now emerging as a lightweight, fast, and flexible alternative for quick tasks and focused writing.
With these transformative updates, Microsoft Notepad is no longer just a relic of the past — it’s a refined tool for the present and future. Whether you’re jotting down quick reminders, writing Markdown-based documentation, or experimenting with AI-generated content, Notepad now offers more without compromising its legendary simplicity.
As always, the best part is: you still don’t need to learn anything new to use it.
Stay tuned with Techxnow for more updates on Windows 11 features and productivity tools.
Sources ( Mashable India )
