Microsoft makes native Markdown formatting support in Notepad broadly available on Windows 11. It transforms the long-standing plain text editor into a more flexible writer tool capable of handling basic document formatting. Maybe this has been added as an excuse for the removed WordPad.
The most recent Notepad version allows you to apply simple styling, including headings, bulleted and numbered lists, bold and italic emphasis, and inline hyperlinks. Obviously, your notes, logs, and lightweight documentation projects may now look attractive.
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New Interface Controls and Keyboard Shortcuts
A newly added "View Formatting" button located at the bottom of the interface allows switching between standard plain text and a syntax-based Markdown view. In this mode, common markup elements like hashes (`#`), asterisks (`*`), and backticks (`` ` ``) will render visually as headings, emphasized text, and code blocks, respectively.
Users familiar with Microsoft Word or Outlook will find the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + K for inserting clickable hyperlinks. It is now available in Notepad as well.
Customization and Compatibility
Markdown support is enabled by default but can be toggled off via the Settings app under a new section labeled Formatting. Disabling this feature restores Notepad to its traditional behavior, preserving backward compatibility for those who prefer a minimalistic editing experience.
Rollout Timeline
This update was first made available to Windows Insiders in early June 2025 and has since reached general availability across supported versions of Windows 11.
User Feedback
While many welcomed the update as a long-overdue modernization of a core utility, some users expressed concerns about the shift away from Notepad’s original design philosophy, which is simplicity and speed. Others pointed out that similar functionality has long been available in applications like OneNote, suggesting that the change may appeal more to developers and technical writers than to casual users.
So, updating Notepad from the Store to the most recent version of the app should bring the makrdown formatting support enabled by default. The Store page is here.
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