Microsoft has significantly transformed its Notepad text editor in Windows 11, introducing a host of new features that enhance document management, formatting, and even incorporate AI-driven writing assistance. For those who cherish the simplicity of the classic Notepad, the application allows users to disable many of these new functionalities through its detailed customization options.
⚙️ Defaults
The revamped Notepad now boasts a tabbed user interface, reminiscent of web browsers, enabling users to view multiple plain text files in separate tabs rather than opening each in a new window, as was the previous norm.
Additionally, Notepad introduces basic session state management. If you close the application with documents open, they will reappear in the same state—saved or unsaved—upon reopening. A “Recent files” option in the File menu further facilitates quick access to your most recently edited text files.
For those seeking writing assistance, Notepad now includes a suite of AI-based writing tools by default. These tools offer capabilities such as rewriting existing text, summarizing content, adjusting text length, modifying tone, and changing formats. Spell checking and autocorrect features are also enabled by default.
➡️ Learn more: You can explore these writing features in greater detail later in the chapter.
Starting with Windows 11 version 25H2, Notepad supports the Markdown markup language, allowing users to apply light formatting—such as bold, italics, and headings—to plain text documents. This feature is also enabled by default, with formatting toolbar buttons conveniently located at the top center of the app.
➡️ Learn more: Further information on Notepad’s Markdown support is available later in the chapter.
🔨 Customize
Users can tailor Notepad’s default settings to better suit their preferences through the app settings page, accessible via the “Settings” (gear) button on the toolbar. Key configurable behaviors include:
- The app theme: Notepad defaults to the global Light or Dark theme set in Windows 11, but users can manually select their preferred theme.
- The font: While Notepad supports plain text only, users can customize the font for editing purposes using options in the Font expander.
- Markdown formatting: Users can choose to enable or disable Markdown formatting commands, although Notepad will always save files with a .txt extension.
- Document opening preferences: Notepad opens new documents in tabs by default, but users can opt to have them open in new windows instead.
- Startup behavior: By default, Notepad remembers previously opened documents. Users can change this setting to start fresh with a new document.
- Recent files: A list of recently opened documents is maintained, but users can disable this feature if desired.
- Copilot AI capabilities: The Copilot button, which provides access to AI writing tools, can be turned off if users prefer not to utilize this functionality.
➡️ Learn more: The only major feature in Notepad that cannot be disabled through the settings interface is the tab support; however, a workaround exists for those interested in restoring a classic experience.
🆕 Format a document with Markdown
Markdown, a lightweight markup syntax, is now supported in Notepad, enabling users to add formatting to plain text documents. This syntax is designed to be both human- and machine-readable, making it accessible for various users. Notepad enhances the experience by applying visual styles to formatted text, resembling a word processor’s WYSIWYG display.
In Markdown, formatting is typically indicated by symbols like # for headings and ** for bold text. However, Notepad simplifies this process by providing a set of formatting toolbar buttons akin to those found in Microsoft Word. While traditional Markdown syntax may not function in Notepad, users can utilize keyboard shortcuts or the toolbar for formatting. Available commands include:
- Headings: Notepad supports various heading styles, with Title corresponding to Heading 1 in Markdown.
- Lists: Users can create bulleted and numbered lists, with standard Markdown syntax supported for starting lists.
- Bold: Apply bold formatting with Ctrl + B.
- Italics: Italicize text using Ctrl + I.
- Strikethrough: Use Ctrl + Shift + X for strikethrough formatting.
- Link: Create hyperlinks with Ctrl + K.
- Table: Notepad supports simple text-based tables, allowing users to insert and manage table elements easily.
- Clear formatting: This option removes all formatting from selected text without confirmation, accessible via Ctrl + Space.
🆕 Use Copilot to help you write
Despite some controversy surrounding AI, the AI-based writing tools integrated into Notepad can be quite beneficial. Users can access these features through the colorful Copilot button on the toolbar, applying them to the entire document or selected text.
✅ Tip: To utilize the AI writing tools in Notepad, users must sign in with their Microsoft account and maintain an active Microsoft 365 subscription, which provides a monthly allotment of AI credits. Alternatively, those with a Copilot+ PC can switch to a local AI model that offers unlimited generation capabilities without the need for credits.
Available AI writing tools in Notepad include:
- Write: Generates text based on user prompts.
- Rewrite: Allows users to modify generated text by adjusting length, tone, and format.
- Summarize: Summarizes documents or selected text for easy copying or insertion.
- Make shorter and Make longer: Adjusts text length while maintaining tone and format options.
- Change tone and Change format: Rewrites text according to specified tone or format preferences.
Restore Notepad to its classic look and feel
Interestingly, Windows 11 includes both the modern Notepad and the classic version that users may remember from earlier Windows iterations. While the modern version offers a wealth of features, those who prefer the classic interface can revert to it with a few steps:
- Navigate to the Settings app and go to Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases. Locate Notepad and set it to “Off.”
- Open File Explorer and go to C:Windows, then find the Notepad.exe file. Double-clicking this executable will launch the classic Notepad.
To make the classic Notepad more accessible, users can right-click Notepad.exe and select “Pin to Start” or create a shortcut on the Desktop by copying its path.
Unfortunately, users cannot set the classic Notepad as the default app for text files, nor can they select it through the “Open with” context menu for text files.
