text editing Archives

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.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft releases a bold new update for Notepad

Microsoft is updating its Windows Notepad app with new text formatting options, including bold and italic styling, hyperlinks, lists, and Markdown support. This update is currently available to testers in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. A new formatting toolbar has been added at the top of the application, allowing easy access to these features. Users can toggle between formatted Markdown and Markdown syntax views. Notepad retains its plain text functionality, and users can clear formatting or disable the new features in the app settings. This update follows the introduction of an AI-powered Write function, enhancing Notepad's capabilities.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

WordPad is dead in Windows 11, but Notepad is absorbing its skills

Microsoft has announced updates to Notepad, integrating "lightweight formatting" capabilities that include support for markdown input and file formats, bold and italic fonts, and hyperlinks, accessible via a new toolbar. These features are not in testing and will be available on Windows PCs soon. This shift follows the retirement of WordPad in late 2023, leaving a gap for basic text editing. The enhancements position Notepad as a viable replacement for WordPad. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing the Edit app, an open-source command-line interface, to complement Notepad's new features and improve user experience.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

There’s AI Inside Windows Paint and Notepad Now. Here’s How to Use It

Companies are integrating artificial intelligence into their software, with recent updates to Windows applications like Paint and Notepad showcasing AI enhancements. In Windows Paint, a Copilot button introduces three features: 1. Image Creator: Users can generate images from descriptive prompts, selecting styles for the output. 2. Generative Erase: This tool lets users remove unwanted elements from images and fills in the background using surrounding pixels. 3. Remove Background: This feature isolates the main subject of an image by turning the background white. Generative Erase and Remove Background are free, while Image Creator requires AI credits available through Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscriptions. In Windows Notepad, the Copilot button offers features to refine existing text: 1. Make shorter and Make longer: Adjusts the length of selected text. 2. Change tone: Modifies the text's tone to be inspirational, formal, casual, or humorous. 3. Change format: Restructures text into lists, marketing language, or poetry. 4. Rewrite: Provides previews of rewritten text for selection. Notepad's AI-powered rewrites are limited for free users, with extensive use requiring AI credits tied to a Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscription. The Copilot button can be disabled in settings for a distraction-free experience.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Windows Notepad is Getting AI Summaries

Microsoft is testing AI-powered summaries in Windows Notepad, currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. The 'Summarize' feature allows users to generate concise summaries by highlighting text and selecting 'Summarize' or using the Ctrl + M shortcut. A Microsoft account is required, and Microsoft 365 subscribers will use AI credits for this feature. Users can disable AI features if they prefer the classic Notepad experience. Additionally, Notepad will include a 'recently closed files' feature for quick access to previously closed documents.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

Notepad will soon automatically summarize your notes with AI

Notepad is introducing an AI-powered summarization feature in version 11.2501.29.0, currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders. Users can highlight text and select 'Summarize' or use the Ctrl + M shortcut to generate a summary, with adjustable summary lengths. The feature can be disabled in app settings and requires a Microsoft personal account. This new capability complements the existing 'Rewrite' function, which allows users to modify text for different lengths and tones. Additionally, a 'Recent Files' option has been added to the File menu for easier access to recently used documents, which can also be disabled.