Microsoft is expanding its classic text editor with Markdown tables and accelerating AI functions through streaming technology.
Microsoft is unveiling a significant update for its Notepad editor, currently available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. The new version, 11.2510.6.0, introduces two pivotal enhancements: native support for tables and the implementation of streaming results for integrated AI functions such as Write, Rewrite, and Summarize.
The addition of table functionality enhances Notepad’s existing formatting capabilities. Users can now insert tables through a newly added button in the formatting toolbar or create them directly using Markdown syntax. Once a table is inserted, rows and columns can be easily added or removed via a context menu or a dedicated table menu within the toolbar.
In terms of AI features, Microsoft is employing a streaming technique that generates results word by word, allowing users to interact with partial outputs instead of waiting for the entire result to be completed. However, it’s important to note that the Rewrite function currently supports streaming only on Copilot+ PCs. To access all three AI functions—Write, Rewrite, and Summarize—a Microsoft account login is required.
This evolution of Notepad marks a shift from its minimalist origins towards a more feature-rich tool. Over recent years, Microsoft has introduced various enhancements, including spell check, tab functionality, and AI integration. This transformation has sparked a lively debate within the community; while some users appreciate the added features, others express concerns about potential feature bloat, longing for the editor’s original simplicity.
Markdown Support in Detail
The implementation of tables relies on Markdown syntax, although Microsoft has not disclosed specific details about its execution. Typically, Markdown tables utilize pipe characters (|) to separate columns and hyphens (-) for header delineation. It remains uncertain whether Notepad adheres to the CommonMark standard or opts for its own variations. Additionally, questions arise regarding compatibility: how will tables created in Notepad function when opened in other Markdown editors?
Nonetheless, the combination of manual toolbar operations and direct Markdown input suggests a hybrid approach designed to cater to both tech-savvy users and beginners. When editing via the context menu, Notepad is likely to automatically adjust the Markdown syntax in the background.
Data Privacy of AI Features
The streaming capability for AI features differentiates between cloud and local processing. As only Copilot+ PCs equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) can execute at least the Rewrite function locally, it follows that other features and requests from standard PCs must be routed to Microsoft’s cloud services. Specific details regarding this aspect were not included in the announcement. This raises pertinent data privacy concerns, particularly in corporate environments.
The update is currently exclusive to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, with no specified timeline for broader availability to all Windows 11 users. Microsoft has actively encouraged testers to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub, accessible via the Windows key + F shortcut. Users are invited to share their experiences under the category “Apps > Notepad.”
For those who prefer the traditional Notepad experience without the new features, there is an option to disable the updates in the editor’s settings. Additionally, users wishing to make manual adjustments can back up older versions of Notepad and restore them if necessary, although this workaround is not officially supported by Microsoft.
