Microsoft’s beloved Notepad, a staple since the early days of Windows, has just received a major facelift that’s turning heads. After more than four decades, Windows 11 users are finally getting a taste of spellcheck and autocorrect within their trusty text editor, elevating it to new heights. The rollout, initially tested back in March, has quietly unfolded, surprising many with its newfound capabilities.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Spellcheck | Identifies and highlights misspelled words with a red underline; requires an additional click for suggestions. |
| Autocorrect | Automatically corrects typos when spellcheck is enabled; customizable through settings. |
| File Type Settings | Enables/disables spellcheck and autocorrect based on file types; excludes coding-related files. |
| Enhanced Features | Character count, dark mode, tabs, Copilot integration, and a virtual fidget spinner. |
The spellcheck functionality in Notepad mimics its more sophisticated counterparts like Word and Edge, highlighting errors with a distinctive red underline. However, there’s a twist—unlike Word’s streamlined interface, Notepad requires an extra click to view suggested corrections, which has left some scratching their heads.
Interestingly, Microsoft opted not to fully mirror Word’s spellcheck approach, despite showcasing an intuitive right-click feature during beta trials. This decision diverges from their historical strategy, given that Word pioneered spellchecking way back in 1985 under its earlier guise, Multi-Tool Word.
Users can now toggle spellcheck and autocorrect settings based on file types, offering flexibility across formats like .md, .srt, .lrc, and .lic, while keeping coding-related files free from automatic corrections. Autocorrect, a long-awaited addition, swiftly rectifies typos once spellcheck is engaged, with the option to disable this feature easily via Notepad’s settings.
Microsoft’s ongoing enhancements to Notepad for Windows 11, including character count, dark mode, tab support, Copilot integration, and even a virtual fidget spinner, are setting the stage for the retirement of WordPad later this year. This evolution underscores Microsoft’s commitment to refining essential tools, ensuring they remain indispensable in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Table: Notepad’s New Features for Windows 11
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