Il Block notes in Windows aliases Notepad it’s one of those system applications that has basically remained unchanged over the years.
Microsoft updated the Notepad even with the launch of Windows Vista (2007) and only in 2018 did the developers of the Redmond company apply some minor changes as new shortcuts and improvements on the search window. From 2018 onwards, Windows Notepad has remained unchanged.
When compared with text editors more evolved like Notepad++, Atom o Sublime Text the comparison does not hold. And to think that Microsoft has all the tools to create an advanced editor: Visual Studio Code, a program that has now become essential for a large number of developers, is a prime example.
The advantages of Windows Notepad and possible lesser-known uses
What is the advantage of Windows Notepad? It is present in all Microsoft operating system installations and is bootable by simply typing Block notes in the search box or notepad (for example by pressing the key combination Windows+R).
In short, Notepad is a “certainty” for opening any type of file and verifying its content: not only text files but also other types of elements in case you want to establish the format of a file by examining itsheader.
And command line the Notepad allows for “intelligent” uses. For example, it is possible to combine notepad with commands like cmd o cmdlet PowerShell.
Save the list of files contained in a folder
For example, try typing the following into a del window command prompt:
The list of files and folders of drive C: is saved in a file dir.txt inside the root folder of the user profile in use. The same file is then automatically opened with Notepad.
From the Windows installation media
Notepad can also be started from Windows installation media (after pressing the key combination MAIUSC+F10) or from the Windows Advanced Startup Menu command prompt.
Typing notepad you open Notepad and with a little ingenuity, you can save files from a computer that won’t boot or turn on.
Complete renewal with Windows 11
With the release of Windows 11Microsoft has promised a complete revamp of its Notepad.
The visual aspects are those that have received the most interventions: the Notepad interface integrates with that of Windows 11, the menus and corners are rounded, the settings screen is all new. Also for the new Notepad Microsoft enabled Micaa dynamic user interface that adapts color schemes based on your desktop background.
With Notepad Windows 11 also debuts the dark mode, useful when you have to use the application in environments with little or no light. Be careful, however, that not everyone lives well with the use of dark theme. Speaking of tired and tired eyes, it is also good to pay attention to the dark mode.
New search function and tabbed interface
Besides the visual aspect, Microsoft has improved the search function, with the ability to replace character strings. It also added support for themultilevel undo, one of the most requested features. In other words, Windows 11 Notepad can finally undo multiple changes made over time: welcome to 2023!
With the new version of the text editor built into Windows 11, thetabbed interface: This way you can keep multiple files open at the same time. This is a feature that has existed since time immemorial Notepad++ and in others text editors competitors. It is however manageable by clicking on the gear icon at the top right. For example, you can decide whether to open files by default in a new tab or in a separate window.
Neither Notepad nor Notepad++, however, are able to open large files: in the article we have seen the best solutions for Windows and Linux.
Automatic saving of content
With the latest versions of Windows 11, the autosave of the contents. Microsoft technicians explain that the default editor of Windows allows you to save the state of each file and its content allowing you to close the application without losing any data.
When the Notepad is reopened, the open tabs and files will once again be proposed in their original positions together with their respective ones content.
It is important to note that changes are not automatically saved to files – there is no possibility of inadvertently overwriting important data. Instead, the editor keeps the edited text and replaces the contents of each file only when you explicitly ask for a save.
Those who prefer the usual behavior can deactivate the new automatic saving function by accessing the program settings.
The default text editor cannot be replaced in Windows
Basically Windows Notepad cannot be replaced with another application. With a trick it is still possible to replace the system programs, Notepad included.
This is the same “gabola” that was recently adopted to avoid opening the Start menu search results with Edge.