Notepad Gets a Long-Awaited Upgrade
Microsoft’s Notepad, a text editor known for its simplicity, has received a significant upgrade after more than four decades. The latest version, 11.2405.13.0 or later, now includes spell check and auto-correct features, bringing it up to speed with modern editing tools.
Users of Windows 11 are starting to see the new functionality, which automatically corrects misspelled words or highlights them with a red squiggly line. By right-clicking on a misspelled word, users can access a menu with spelling suggestions, the option to ignore the error, or add the word to their personal dictionary.
Despite the long-awaited spell check feature, Notepad still lacks a global spell check dialogue, requiring users to manually correct each instance of a misspelling. Nevertheless, the addition of basic spelling checking marks a significant milestone for the minimalist text editor.
Notepad, originally introduced in 1983 as Multi-Tool Notepad, has remained a fundamental part of Windows, prioritizing simplicity over advanced word processing capabilities. Over the years, it has received updates such as dark mode support, tab functionality for managing multiple files, and most recently, integration with Microsoft Copilot for AI-powered text editing.
For users who prefer the classic Notepad experience without spell check or auto-correct, settings can be adjusted to disable these features or limit them to specific file types. As WordPad, another Windows utility, phases out, Notepad’s latest upgrade ensures its continued relevance in the world of text editing.
