Microsoft is at it again. They’re updating the Windows 11 Notepad app, and Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels are getting the first look at the changes. Not everyone is happy.
The Feature Creep: Formatting Takes Over
The lightweight formatting tools Microsoft started back in May (bold, italics, hyperlinks, lists, headings) are getting a big expansion: tables.
-
Users can now insert tables to structure notes, either through a new formatting toolbar or by using Markdown syntax.
This is the continuation of a trend: turning Notepad, the ultimate quick-load text utility, into a lightweight word processor. Where does it stop? Let’s be real, Notepad was not meant for structural tables.
The Real Controversy: Forced AI Integration
This is the part that has people online furious.
Notepad has gained new AI capabilities, including the Write, Rewrite, and Summarize tools. Microsoft’s recent announcement highlighted that these AI responses will now stream faster, making them appear more quickly.
Normally, speed is a good thing. But user feedback is clear: the improved speed fails to counteract the fact that many do not want AI in Notepad at all.
The app was meant for simplicity, for editing code, for taking instant notes without a single extra feature or tool to load. Adding complex generative AI features fundamentally changes the character of the app. It’s an ongoing existential crisis for the “app we loved.”
Also read: No Samsungs, Only iPhones: Why London Phone Thieves Have Their Priorities Set
