formatting options Archives

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Microsoft is still slowly chipping away at the Control Panel in Windows 11

Microsoft is gradually transitioning settings from the Control Panel to the Settings app in Windows 11, as seen in the latest Insider Preview Build 27928. This update includes new features such as the ability to add additional clocks, change time servers, and adjust date and time formatting within the Settings app. Users can also modify number and currency formats and enable Unicode UTF-8 for language support. The Control Panel continues to exist alongside the Settings app, with no clear timeline for the completion of the migration process. A fix was implemented for a crash issue in the Settings app related to adding a security key.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

The latest Windows 11 Canary update shows that Microsoft really just wants to move past the Control Panel already

Microsoft is accelerating the transition from the Control Panel to the Settings app in Windows 11, as evidenced by the recent Canary update. This update introduces several new features in the Settings app, including: - The ability to add additional clocks via Settings > Time & language > Date & time, with options to display them in the system tray and Notification Center. - A new option to change the time server under Settings > Time & language > Date & time. - Relocation of formatting settings for date and time, allowing modifications of AM/PM symbols and other options from Settings > Time & language > Date & time. - Adjustments for number and currency formats through Settings > Time & language > Language & region. - A toggle for enabling Unicode UTF-8 support for global language compatibility under Settings > Time & language > Language & region. - The option to copy current user language and region settings to the welcome screen and system accounts under Settings > Time & language > Language & region. This increase in feature migration may indicate Microsoft's preparation for the end of support for Windows 10 in October, aiming to provide a cohesive experience for users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

This could be my new PDF scanner app once Microsoft Lens is taken away

Microsoft Lens is integrating into Copilot, prompting users to seek alternatives like PDFgear Scan, a mobile scanning app that utilizes AI for document processing. Upon launching PDFgear Scan, users access its core functionalities directly, though newcomers may find this disorienting. The app offers various scan modes and organizational tools, but customization options are limited. It successfully scans documents with impressive OCR performance, even in challenging conditions, and allows saving extracted text in formats like DOCX, though it lacks advanced formatting options. PDFgear Scan excels in receipt tracking, efficiently capturing key data and allowing users to verify or modify information. It includes a search function with filters for categorizing purchases. While it offers basic editing tasks and signature creation, edited receipts may lose their original recognition. The app features an AI chatbot for querying scanned documents, but its accuracy can be questionable. PDFgear Scan is a free alternative to Microsoft Lens, providing a user-friendly interface and effective scanning capabilities, particularly for receipt management, but it lacks some specialized features of Microsoft Lens.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

5 reasons I swapped Google Keep for this open-source app

The author has extensively explored various note-taking applications, including Google Keep, OneNote, and SimpleNote, ultimately transitioning to Outline, an open-source application that combines note-taking with personal knowledge management. Google Keep is appreciated for its simplicity but lacks depth, while OneNote's interface is seen as cluttered. Outline offers a clean, intuitive interface, supports markdown for rich formatting, and allows for interconnected note systems similar to a wiki. It integrates well with external tools and provides self-hosting options for data ownership. The author now uses Outline primarily for research, long-form writing, and journaling, finding it superior for serious note-taking compared to Google Keep and OneNote.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

How to get started with Markdown in the Notepad app for Windows 11

The Notepad application in Windows 11 now supports the Markdown (.md) file format, allowing users to create and edit Markdown documents without needing additional software. To enable Markdown, users must open Notepad, access the Settings, and toggle the "Formatting" switch to on. To create a Markdown document, users save their file with a ".md" extension and can utilize a toolbar for formatting options such as headings, lists, and links. Markdown syntax supported includes titles, bold and italic text, and lists. Users can switch between formatted and raw views and can disable Markdown support by toggling the "Formatting" switch to off in the Settings. While Markdown support is a useful addition, it is limited compared to dedicated text editors, and users may encounter formatting warnings for unsupported syntax.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

5 productivity apps I swear by, and one of them unlocks the rest

Productivity apps elicit varied reactions, with users often finding a balance between detailed organization and simplicity. Enpass is a password manager that securely stores passwords and documents, while Ente Auth manages two-factor authentication codes for streamlined security. TickTick is a task management app with features like reminders and habit tracking, allowing for customization. Notion serves as a versatile workspace for organizing reading lists and writing projects, promoting creativity with minimalist formatting. Google Keep functions as a digital notepad for quick notes and lists, despite some cross-platform limitations. ChatGPT aids in research and idea generation by synthesizing information and facilitating brainstorming. Each app contributes uniquely to enhancing productivity and maintaining focus in daily tasks.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Google makes great apps, but these aren’t it if you ask me

Google Keep lacks advanced formatting options and a notebook feature, limiting its usability despite being a popular note-taking app. Google Tasks offers only basic task management capabilities, missing essential features like priority levels and filters. YouTube Music, while more developed, struggles with podcast integration and discovery, and has limitations in its free plan compared to competitors. Google Wallpapers has a limited selection and basic functionality, lacking creativity and integration with custom wallpaper creation tools.

Winsage

July 16, 2025

Notepad’s best feature is its simplicity — and I’m worried Microsoft is slowly taking it away

Microsoft's Notepad has evolved from a simple, fast application into a more cluttered tool with unnecessary features, raising concerns about software bloat. Initially, updates like unsaved changes indicators and improved search functionality were well-received, but the introduction of spellchecking and AI features like Copilot has frustrated users who valued its straightforward nature. In response to these concerns, Microsoft announced a new tool called Edit, aimed at providing a more basic text editing experience, though its accessibility and usability remain uncertain.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

You can now make text bold or italic in Notepad — hell has frozen over

Notepad, a text editor in Windows since 1983, has received an update that introduces lightweight formatting features, including a formatting toolbar for applying text styles like bold and italic. The update also adds Markdown support and syntax views. These changes aim to enhance user experience while maintaining the app's simplicity. Microsoft announced these features in May, initially rolling them out to Windows Insiders before making them available to all users.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

Microsoft just gave the Windows 11 Notepad app a controversial feature that people are either loving or hating

Windows 11's Notepad app has received an update that introduces new formatting capabilities, making it more similar to the retired WordPad. Users are receiving this update through the Microsoft Store for the stable version of Windows 11. Reactions to the update are mixed; some users appreciate the enhancements, while others feel that Notepad is becoming bloated with unnecessary features. Microsoft has included a toggle feature that allows users to disable the new formatting options, enabling them to revert to the traditional Notepad experience.