text editing Archives

Winsage

August 26, 2025

5 “just-enough” open-source apps I install on every fresh Windows setup

A fresh installation of Windows provides a clean slate, but soon requires essential tools for tasks like file extraction, text editing, audio recording, and screen capturing. The following open-source tools are recommended: - 7-Zip: A lightweight file compression tool that supports various formats (.zip, .rar, .tar, .7z, .iso) and integrates into the right-click context menu. It is free and maintained by a community. - OBS Studio: An open-source software for gamers and content creators that excels in livestreaming and game recording, featuring customizable recording parameters and a replay buffer. - Audacity: A long-standing open-source audio editing software that is lightweight yet feature-rich, ideal for straightforward audio editing tasks and supports built-in effects and plugins. - Notepad++: An enhanced text editor that supports multiple programming languages and syntax highlighting, making it suitable for editing configuration files, with lightweight nature and plugin support. - ShareX: An open-source screenshot tool that offers advanced features and customizable workflows, improving upon the Snipping Tool for seamless screenshot management. The author values these tools for being free, open-source, and reliable, often preferring them over proprietary software.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Newest version of Windows 11 Notepad gets improved context menus

Microsoft is retiring WordPad in 2024, prompting Notepad to evolve with new features such as spell check, AI-generated text, and Markdown formatting. The upcoming Notepad version 11.2507.26.0, available to Windows Insiders, includes a redesigned context menu with quick actions like copy, cut, paste, select all, and delete, as well as new functionalities like Write, Rewrite, Summarize, and Define with Bing. A broader rollout of the enhanced Notepad experience is expected by September or October.

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

Notepad for Windows 11 now supports Markdown formatting

Notepad for Windows 11 has been updated to include support for Markdown, allowing users to utilize features such as subheadings, italics, bold text, strikethrough options, and link insertion. Users can disable these formatting capabilities to revert to the classic Notepad experience. Microsoft assures that the new features will not affect the program's performance or increase resource consumption. The updated Notepad is available for free download from the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft is just turning Notepad into WordPad at this point, and I’m not sure I like it

Microsoft has phased out WordPad from Windows 11 as of 2024. Notepad has undergone updates that introduced a modern user interface, tab support, and autosave features, but concerns have arisen about it losing its simplicity due to new features like spellchecking and AI capabilities. Microsoft plans to release Edit, a command line-based text editor, to provide a straightforward alternative for users. Alternatives to Notepad include Notepad++ and CherryTree, which offer more advanced features.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Gives More Reasons To Use Notepad With These New Features: All Details

Microsoft has discontinued WordPad and is enhancing Notepad for Windows 11 users. The beta version introduces new features such as adding hyperlinks, modifying text formatting, subheadings, bullet points, and the ability to switch text styles. An AI integration allows users to rewrite text by selecting it and using a right-click function, currently available to Windows 11 Insider program users in specific regions. Notepad now supports tabbed browsing and includes an integration of Copilot for summarizing text, adjusting tone, and switching to dark mode.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 news and updates: Sora video AI comes to Bing while USB-C changes will make all of our lives easier

Microsoft has made adjustments to Windows 11 and Windows 10 to comply with the Digital Markets Act for users in the European Economic Area, including stopping prompts to set Edge as the default browser and automatically pinning users' preferred browsers to the Taskbar. The optional update KB5058499 (OS Build 26100.4202) for Windows 11, released on May 28, 2025, improves gaming stability and includes upgrades to AI tools. OpenAI's Sora AI model is now available globally in the Bing Video Creator within the Bing mobile app. Notepad has added support for Markdown syntax. Microsoft has committed that all USB-C ports on Windows 11 will support data, charging, and display functionalities, with USB4 ports being compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals. The release date for Windows 11 version 25H2 is anticipated between September and October 2025.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Notepad gets formatting options

Microsoft has updated Notepad to include new text formatting options, such as bold and italic styles, hyperlinks, and the ability to format lists and headings. This update began rolling out at the end of last month and is currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels. The new features support Markdown-style input, allowing users to toggle between formatted Markdown and syntax views. Users can disable formatting entirely in the app settings to maintain the traditional Notepad experience. The update has raised concerns among users who relied on Notepad for stripping formatting from pasted text, as the new options may complicate this process. Microsoft has not yet responded to inquiries about user demand for these changes or the possibility of reverting to the original Notepad experience. The decision to enhance Notepad comes after the removal of WordPad from Windows in 2024.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft updates Notepad app with new features after decades

Microsoft's Notepad is undergoing an update that introduces enhanced formatting features, moving away from its traditional minimalist design. The new version will support "lightweight formatting," including Markdown-style input, a formatting toolbar for bold, italic, hyperlinks, lists, and headings. Users who prefer the classic Notepad can revert to its original simplicity by clearing formatting or disabling new features in the app settings. Notepad was first launched in 1983 as "Multi-Tool Notepad" and became a part of the Windows operating system starting with Windows 1.0 in 1985.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Bring your PWA closer to users with App Actions on Windows

App Actions on Windows have expanded to include Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) starting from Edge version 137. Developers can now publish their PWAs to the Microsoft Store, allowing for enhanced user interactions. App Actions enable users to access key features of an app directly from their current context, reducing distractions from switching between applications. For example, the note-taking app Goodnotes allows users to send text directly to the app without toggling windows. Developers can integrate App Actions into their Microsoft Store PWAs by defining an Action manifest, setting up a custom protocol handler, configuring the app as a share target, and packaging the app for the Microsoft Store using PWABuilder. Optionally, developers can define a PWA launch handler and test actions using the App Actions Testing Playground.