Rich Text Formatting (Markdown) Now Available in Windows 11 Notepad

Notepad Enhances Functionality with Markdown Support

Notepad, Microsoft’s longstanding simple text editor, is now elevating its capabilities with the introduction of Markdown support. The rollout appears to have reached users outside the Windows Insider Program, as confirmed by an update from the Microsoft Store on my production build, which displayed a notification for the new feature.

Markdown Features Now Available

With the addition of Markdown support, Notepad has transformed into a more versatile tool. Users can now access a “H1” icon, allowing for the selection of various heading styles such as titles, subtitles, sections, and subsections. The enhanced interface also includes buttons for creating bullet and numbered lists, along with options to bold or italicize text.

Hyperlink Functionality and Formatting Options

A notable addition is the hyperlink support, which can be activated using the familiar Ctrl + K keyboard shortcut, mirroring the functionality found in Microsoft Word. This feature enables users to insert links with anchor text that opens directly in their default web browser.

Notepad formatting bullet points on Windows 11

Switching Between Views

Users can easily toggle between the “Formatting view” and the raw Markdown syntax view by clicking a dedicated button at the screen’s bottom. In syntax view, users can manipulate the text using hashes for headings and asterisks for text emphasis, wrapping code snippets in backticks—mimicking a traditional Markdown editor without altering the output.

Default Settings and User Control

Initial tests by Windows Latest confirmed that Markdown is enabled by default in Notepad. However, users can revert to the classic experience if they prefer minimal functionality. By clicking the clean-formatting button, users can disable the formatting features while keeping Markdown support active. Alternatively, navigating to Settings reveals a new “Formatting” option that allows users to disable all formatting features, restoring the familiar Notepad interface.

Performance Impact and User Experience

Despite incorporating these enhancements, users need not worry about performance issues, as Microsoft has ensured that the lightweight Markdown feature does not slow down systems. While some may argue that introducing new features could compromise Notepad’s simplicity as a plain text editor, others find the optional Markdown capabilities valuable, allowing for flexibility depending on user needs.

Though the integration of Copilot AI Writer and Rewriter may not sit well with everyone, it remains an optional feature that can be disabled as needed—prioritizing user preference in its functionality.

Source & Images