Microsoft has officially announced the integration of its new command-line text editor, Edit, into future iterations of its operating system. Recent tests conducted by Windows Latest revealed that Windows 11 Build 27965, currently accessible in the Canary channel, now features Edit as a default application, eliminating the need for manual installation.
Historically, while Windows has been the preferred operating system for developers and system administrators, it has lacked a native command-line text editor. Competing systems have offered built-in editors like Vim and Nano, leaving Windows users to depend on third-party applications or the increasingly cumbersome Notepad.
With Edit, Microsoft is addressing this long-standing gap by introducing a modern, lightweight command-line interface (CLI) editor that seamlessly integrates text editing capabilities directly within the terminal.
What is Edit?
Edit is a streamlined text user interface (TUI) editor designed to operate within the command line environment. Microsoft has made it available as an open-source project on GitHub. Interestingly, earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 95, 98, and XP, included a command-line edit option through the MS-DOS Editor. However, as the operating system transitioned to 64-bit architecture, this functionality became obsolete, leaving a void in the native command-line text editing landscape.
For years, the absence of a native command-line text editor in 64-bit Windows has felt like a curious oversight, especially given Windows’ dominance in IT applications and software development. Developers and power users often turned to third-party tools like Nano or Vim, which are readily available on macOS and Linux. Although Notepad remains an option, its recent iterations have strayed from the simplicity that many users once appreciated. Additionally, Visual Studio Code, while powerful, is not suited for quick inline edits directly from the terminal.
Recognizing this gap, Microsoft’s engineering team announced Edit earlier this year as an open-source CLI editor. To utilize Edit, users simply need to type “edit” in the Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, followed by pressing Enter. For those looking to open a specific file, the command “edit filename.txt” will suffice.
Edit can also be accessed via the Windows Search function. Despite its modest size of less than a quarter of a megabyte, Edit boasts mouse interactions, visible menus, and keyboard shortcuts, enhancing usability for developers who may not frequently engage with terminal editors.
Users can initiate a search by pressing Ctrl + F or navigating to Edit > Find, which opens a familiar find bar complete with options for Match Case, Whole Word, and even Regular Expression-based find and replace functionalities.
As with many command-line editors, long lines of code extend horizontally in Edit; however, users can enable word wrapping by pressing Alt + Z or selecting View > Word Wrap. Additionally, Edit allows for the opening of multiple files, with the ability to switch between them using Ctrl + P.
Does Edit replace Notepad as a CLI editor?
It is important to note that Edit does not serve as a replacement for Notepad, Notepad++, or any other graphical user interface (GUI)-based editors. Notepad still lacks essential features like syntax highlighting, which is a fundamental aspect of command-line editors. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions available for those who require such functionalities.
While GUI-based editors offer syntax highlighting, tabs, and plugins, Microsoft is not positioning Edit as a competitor to these tools. Conversely, terminal editors such as Nano and Vim, along with those available in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), are not preinstalled on 64-bit Windows, necessitating manual installation or the use of Linux subsystems.
Edit stands out as the simplest and most lightweight command-line interface editor, ensuring consistency across all Windows machines. Although Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for Edit’s public release, earlier documentation indicates that it will be included in future builds of Windows 11.
How to try Microsoft Edit today?
Currently, Edit is available in Build 27965 for users in the Windows Insider Canary channel. For those not enrolled in the Insider program who wish to experience Edit, it can be installed manually via GitHub or Winget. As Microsoft completes compatibility testing, Edit may gradually become available in stable builds.
