Microsoft's humble Notepad, a staple of Windows for decades, is undergoing its most significant transformation yet in Windows 11. The once-basic text editor now boasts AI-powered tools, rich text formatting, and features that blur the line between simple notetaking and full document processing—all while maintaining its lightweight appeal.

Notepad’s Evolution from Basic to AI-Powered

For years, Notepad remained largely unchanged—a no-frills tool for quick text edits. That changed with Windows 11, where Microsoft began introducing tabs, dark mode, and character count. The latest Insider Preview builds (version 11.2311.29.0 and later) reveal even more ambitious upgrades:

  • Rich Text Formatting: Bold, italics, bullet points, and font customization
  • AI Rewriting Tool: Rephrase sentences with different tones (professional, casual, concise)
  • Text Summarization: Condense long passages automatically
  • Hyperlink Support: Clickable URLs instead of plain text
  • Markdown Live Preview: See formatted results as you type
  • Auto-Correct & Spellcheck: Finally catching typos in real time

Why Microsoft is Supercharging Notepad

This overhaul aligns with two strategic goals:

  1. Filling the WordPad Void: With WordPad being deprecated in 2024, Notepad now bridges the gap between basic text and full Word documents.
  2. AI Integration Across Windows: These features test-bed AI tools that may spread to other apps, similar to how Copilot works in Edge and Office.

Hands-On With the New Features

Rich Text Meets Minimalism

Unlike WordPad’s cluttered interface, Notepad maintains its clean design while adding formatting through a discreet toolbar. Our testing showed:

Feature Implementation
Font Styles Dropdown with 15+ system fonts
Text Colors Basic palette (no RGB picker)
Bullet Lists Simple indented dots/numbering

The AI Writing Assistant

Accessed via a lightbulb icon, the rewriting tool offers:

  • Tone Adjustment: "Make this more formal" transforms casual phrases into business-appropriate language
  • Summarization: Cuts a 200-word paragraph to 50 words while preserving key points
  • Limitations: Requires internet connectivity; some rewrites feel generic

Under-the-Hood Improvements

  • Recent Files: Now shows thumbnail previews
  • Session Persistence: Reopens all tabs after crashes
  • Performance: Still launches in <1 second despite new features

What’s Missing (For Now)

  • No tables or image support
  • Cloud sync requires OneDrive manual saves
  • AI features limited to English in current builds

The Bigger Picture: Notepad as a Gateway

Microsoft appears to be positioning Notepad as:

  1. A lightweight alternative to bloated word processors
  2. A stealthy way to introduce AI to casual users
  3. Proof that even legacy apps can evolve meaningfully

With these upgrades, Notepad challenges modern markdown editors like Typora while retaining the simplicity that made it iconic. The AI tools—though basic—hint at a future where even simple apps leverage machine learning for everyday tasks.