The new and improved Notepad arrives for all Windows 11 testers
Good things come to those who note
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The new year has started with the refreshed Notepad app being made available for allWindows 11Insiders who can test upcoming updates.
Similar to whatClockandOffice 2021brought, Notepad is also getting the Fluent Design makeover, which brings rounded corners to windows, a softer font to menu dropdown lists, and dark mode compatibility.
The update has been available in the Insider Build Dev Channel ofWindows 11since December, where you can test features under development, but the company has decided to roll it out to users who are testing out upcoming features of Windows 11 on all channels.
It’s the most significant update of Notepad in years, similar toPaint’s update a few months ago, but don’t expect this simple text editing app to replaceMicrosoftWord anytime soon.
Analysis: A unified effort
Microsoft has been making efforts to make its apps match the new look and feel of Windows 11, and it’s overdue.
In previous releases ofWindows 8and Windows Vista, some apps had felt out of place, such as Mail and Disk Management. But there’s a concerted effort from the company to ensure that these apps have a unified design where users don’t feel lost, whilst ensuring that the apps and theoperating systemlook similar, but modern.
We’ve been encouraged by this effort from Microsoft so far, andthere are other apps that we believeshould also benefit from this as well. Other apps are also making a comeback in Windows 11, withWindows Media Player recently returningto replace Groove Music.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
But Notepad is an app that you use almost without thinking. It’s a go-to app where you jot down lists or thoughts for the day to save for later. But it’s also a great example of an app that’s not seen an update since 2001.
Heads up: We have begun rolling out the redesigned Notepad for Windows 11 to all #WindowsInsiders in the Beta Channel. https://t.co/mjUZ8Jp9BL ^BLBJanuary 5, 2022
Something as minor as dark mode and rounded corners will be welcomed here, alongside a new Settings option to switch between themes and font options as well. But Notepad’s appeal is in its simplicity, which makes it a good alternative to Microsoft Word or other fully-featured (and overcomplicated) office apps.
Other apps that have seen updates in their design have either been included in a Windows update or are available to download on the Microsoft Store. We suspect that the updated Notepad will be a part of a bigger Windows 11 update coming soon - so you won’t need to be a Windows Insider to try it out.
ViaWindows Blog
Daryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time, he’s written a book, ‘The Making of Tomb Raider’. His second book, ‘50 Years of Boss Fights’, came out in 2024, with a third book coming in 2025. He also has a newsletter called ‘Springboard’. He’s usually found playing games old and new on his Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and MacBook Pro. If you have a story about an updated app, one that’s about to launch, or just anything Software-related, drop him a line.
Windows 11’s Paint and Notepad apps are getting smart new AI features – though one of the best will be for Copilot+ PCs only
Windows 11 24H2 misery continues, as Microsoft’s buggy update is now breaking printers – especially on Copilot+ PCs
Thousands of employees could be falling victim to obvious phishing scams every month
