text editing Archives

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Microsoft just put this controversial Notepad feature behind a paywall

Microsoft's Notepad has received updates, including a new character count feature, while maintaining its core functionality as a free application that does not require an account for standard use. Users are prompted to sign in to a Microsoft account only if they wish to access the AI-powered Rewrite feature, which requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. The introduction of premium functionalities suggests a shift towards a "freemium" model, allowing basic use without payment, while advanced features necessitate a subscription.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Seen those complaints online about having to sign in to your Microsoft account to use Windows 11’s Notepad app? It’s all a load of hot air

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.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

7 alternatives to built-in Windows tools that will blow you away

- Process Lasso is a powerful alternative to Task Manager, offering features like dynamic CPU adjustments and SmartTrim memory management. - Notepad++ is a text editor that supports multiple programming languages, syntax highlighting, and includes macros and plugins. - 7-Zip is a file compression tool that handles various formats and allows users to split, merge, and encrypt files. - Everything is a search tool that quickly finds files and folders, scanning both names and document contents. - Audacity is a multitrack digital audio workstation for recording audio, supporting various formats and real-time effects. - Flow Launcher allows users to launch files, folders, applications, and websites without using the Start menu. - VLC Media Player plays a wide range of audio and video file formats and offers features like file conversion and live stream recording.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

No, Notepad for Windows 11 doesn’t require you to use a Microsoft account — unless you’re trying to use AI

A screenshot shared on Twitter by @TheBobPony showed a forced sign-in screen for a Microsoft account when trying to access Notepad, causing concern among Windows 11 users. However, most users do not encounter this pop-up unless they misclick, and the core functionality of Notepad remains unchanged. Features that require sign-in are related to generative AI, which are not mandatory for basic use. Notepad++ is suggested as an alternative for those who prefer a straightforward text editing experience.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

8 Old Windows Apps That Are Still Around in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes several classic applications that remain relevant and functional for users: - Notepad: A simple text editor for quick note-taking and code editing. - Paint: A basic graphics editor for quick sketches and image editing. - Calculator: An evolved multifunctional application that includes scientific and graphing capabilities. - Windows Media Player: A reliable option for playing local media files. - WordPad: A formatted text editing experience between Notepad and full-fledged word processors. - Snipping Tool: A utility for capturing screenshots easily. - Task Manager: A tool for monitoring system performance and troubleshooting issues. - Control Panel: A powerful tool for advanced system management options.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Free Guide – How to Edit a PDF File on Windows 10

Editing PDF files on Windows 10 is often necessary for correcting errors, filling out forms, adding comments, or updating information. Various free PDF editors are available online, including Tenorshare PDNob, which offers a free month of premium features. To edit a PDF using Microsoft Word, open the program, select the PDF file, and make edits after it converts to an editable format. Adobe Acrobat allows for professional editing but requires a subscription for advanced features. Tenorshare PDNob provides a free solution with features like text editing, file conversion, compression, watermark removal, image extraction, and secure editing. Windows 10 does not include a built-in PDF editor, but it has Microsoft Edge for basic viewing and annotations. Editing a PDF file is possible with tools like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or dedicated editors like Tenorshare PDNob.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

How to enable and use Rewrite AI in Notepad on Windows 11

The tutorial explains how to enable and use the Rewrite AI feature in Notepad on Windows 11, which utilizes GPT for text editing. Users can rephrase sentences, change the tone, or rewrite documents with AI credits. The feature is currently in preview mode for Windows 11 Insider users in the US, UK, Canada, France, and Italy, with 50 credits available. Users in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, or Taiwan can access it with a Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 subscription. To enable Rewrite, users must adjust their region settings to a supported country and update Notepad. The Rewrite functionality includes options to rewrite, shorten, lengthen, change tone, and format text, with each action consuming one AI credit. Users can access Notepad settings by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.

Winsage

November 14, 2024

6 ways Notepad has become better in Windows 11

Microsoft has updated Notepad in Windows 11 with several new features: - Integration of Copilot with a "Rewrite" capability for text rephrasing. - Support for dark mode, enhancing usability in low-light conditions. - Native ARM support for Arm64 PCs, improving performance on Snapdragon-powered devices. - Introduction of a spellcheck feature that highlights misspelled words and offers corrections. - New tab support allowing users to manage multiple documents within a single window. - Auto-save functionality that automatically saves changes, preserving work for users.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft Notepad to get AI-powered rewriting tool on Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing AI-enhanced functionalities to its applications Notepad and Paint, which were originally launched in the 1980s. These updates are currently being tested by Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. In Paint version 11.2410.28.0, new features include generative fill and generative erase, allowing users to manipulate images by replacing elements with AI-generated content. The generative fill feature enables edits and additions with simple text prompts while maintaining the existing art style. The generative erase tool helps remove unwanted objects from images while preserving the artwork's integrity. Additionally, a new background remover tool is being added to enhance user experience. Notepad is introducing the "Rewrite" feature, which allows users to automatically rephrase content, adjust tone, and modify length. This feature is available in preview for users in select countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany, and requires a Microsoft account for access. Since 2018, Notepad has been updated with various features such as a built-in character counter, spell check, autocorrect, wrap-around find and replace, improved compatibility with Unix and Mac systems, tabbed browsing, text zoom, UTF-8 support, autosaving, and line number displays.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

New AI experiences make their way into Windows 11’s Paint, Notepad

Microsoft has introduced new features in Paint and Notepad as part of its October AI roadmap for Windows 11. Notable additions include the Generative Fill and Generative Erase tools in Paint, currently being tested in the Canary and Dev Channels. The Generative Erase function allows users to erase parts of an image while intelligently filling in the background, similar to a feature in the Photos app. Generative Fill enables users to outline a region in an image and fill it with AI-generated art that integrates with the existing scene. Notepad is receiving an upgrade for AI-assisted text editing, allowing users to modify the tone and length of selected text. These updates are available in Paint version 11.2410.28.0 and Notepad version 11.2410.15.0.