Recent updates to the Notepad application in Windows 11 have led to confusion among users regarding the need for a Microsoft account. The new AI feature called Rewrite requires a sign-in to access, but this is not necessary for general use of the app. Users can choose to close the sign-in prompt if they do not wish to log in, but they will be unable to use the AI functionality. There is growing frustration among users about the increasing prompts for Microsoft account registration across platforms. Additionally, enhancements to Notepad, such as dark mode and multi-step undo, have raised concerns about the app becoming bloated and less responsive, prompting some users to consider alternatives like Notepad++ or Sublime Text for a more streamlined experience.