Overview

• Microsoft now distributes Notepad preview version 11.2504.50.0 to Windows 11 Insiders on Canary and Dev channels.
• A new lightweight formatting toolbar enables Markdown formatting with bold, italic, hyperlinks, simple lists, and headings in plain-text files.
• Users can switch between rendered and raw Markdown views or disable the formatting options entirely in the app settings.
• The overhaul follows Microsoft discontinuing WordPad, building on earlier AI enhancements in Notepad and Paint.
• Alongside Notepad, Microsoft introduced Edit, an open-source command-line text editor designed for lightweight development workflows.