Microsoft's humble Notepad, a staple of Windows since 1983, is undergoing its most significant transformation yet in 2025. What was once a barebones text editor is evolving into a surprisingly capable productivity tool, blending legacy simplicity with modern functionality. The latest Insider Preview builds reveal Notepad now supports rich text formatting, cloud sync, and even basic AI-assisted writing—a far cry from its ASCII-only roots.

The Evolution of a Windows Icon

For decades, Notepad served as the go-to tool for quick notes, code snippets, and configuration files. Its stubborn resistance to change became part of its charm—until now. Microsoft's 2025 overhaul introduces:

  • Rich Text Formatting: Bold, italics, headings, and bullet lists
  • Dark Mode & Themes: System-wide consistency with Windows 11 aesthetics
  • Tabbed Interface: Multiple open documents without cluttering your taskbar
  • Auto-Save & Version History: Never lose unsaved work again
  • Cloud Integration: OneDrive sync across devices

AI Comes to Notepad

The most surprising addition is Notepad Copilot, a lightweight AI assistant that suggests:

  1. Code completion for developers
  2. Grammar and style improvements
  3. Smart lists that auto-format as you type
  4. Contextual actions (like extracting dates to Calendar)

"We're preserving Notepad's instant-loading simplicity while giving users optional power tools," explains Microsoft's Panos Panay in a recent Build conference session. Early benchmarks show the AI features add less than 2MB to the executable size.

Under the Hood: Technical Improvements

Feature Legacy Notepad 2025 Version
File Format .txt only .txt, .md, .rtf
Encoding Manual selection Auto-detection
Max File Size ~54MB 1GB+
Startup Time 0.3s 0.4s (with AI)

The engine now uses the same text rendering stack as WordPad, supporting:

  • Unicode emoji and special characters
  • Syntax highlighting for 20+ programming languages
  • Custom font pairing (monospace + proportional in same document)

Accessibility First

Microsoft prioritized inclusive design with:

  • Screen Reader Optimization: Better landmark navigation
  • Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts: OpenDyslexic option
  • Adaptive UI: Dynamic text sizing preserves layout
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Full NVDA compatibility

The Future of Digital Note-Taking

Industry analysts see this as Microsoft's play to compete with:

  • Obsidian's markdown flexibility
  • Notion's database features
  • VS Code's developer tools

"They're creating a Swiss Army knife that appeals to both casual users and pros," says Gartner's Jason Wong. The move aligns with Windows 11's fluid computing vision—where apps adapt to your workflow.

How to Try It Now

  1. Join Windows Insider Program (Dev Channel)
  2. Check for Build 25992 or later
  3. Enable "Experimental Notepad Features" in Settings > Apps

Early adopters report the AI works offline using a distilled 500MB model, unlike web-dependent Copilot in Edge. Formatting shortcuts mirror Word (Ctrl+B for bold, etc.), easing the learning curve.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Feature Bloat Concerns: Some users prefer the old "just text" philosophy
  • Privacy Questions: Local AI still phones home for updates
  • Extension Conflicts: May interfere with classic Notepad++ workflows

Microsoft assures a Lite Mode will remain for purists, accessible via notepad /classic command.

Why This Matters

Notepad's redesign signals Microsoft's commitment to modernizing even its most entrenched tools. By 2025, over 1.4 billion Windows devices will ship with this updated editor—potentially reshaping how we interact with plain text forever. The update rolls out fully with Windows 11 24H2, expected Q2 2025.