After forty years of powering desktops around the globe, Microsoft continues to demonstrate its commitment to reimagining—even the most basic—Windows experiences for a new era. Throughout Windows’ evolution, a handful of classic programs have stood as fixtures: Notepad, Paint, and a handful of other simple utilities that have long prioritized reliability over innovation. But with Windows 11 leaning heavily into artificial intelligence and bold reworks, even these staples are being swept up in a wave of long-awaited modernization, demanding a fresh look at their relevance and the direction Microsoft envisions for the future of its ecosystem.
The Quiet Revolution: Notepad Gets Modern
If any single Windows application could be described as “timeless,” Notepad fits the bill. Introduced before even the first official release of Windows, this humble text editor was often the go-to for jotting quick notes, scripting, or stripping away clumsy formatting from pasted text. For decades, users found comfort in Notepad’s precisely because of its barebones approach—no-frills, no distractions, and certainly no intrusive formatting tools.Yet, Microsoft has now confirmed that Notepad is getting a significant upgrade—one that stands out not just for what it adds, but for the radical cultural shift it signals. A new formatting toolbar, already available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels for Windows 11, brings options like bold, italics, hyperlinks, lists, and headings to a tool whose greatest selling point was utter textual neutrality.
Looking Beneath the Surface: Why Now?
The timing of this update merits scrutiny. In an era where nearly every productivity app strives to integrate rich text, styles, and collaboration, why has Notepad finally received what many see as “basic” features? Several theories emerge:- The retirement of WordPad in 2023 created a formatting void in Windows’ free application lineup.
- User expectations have shifted, with even the simplest note-taking apps on rival platforms offering markdown, links, or structural elements.
- Microsoft views every app—no matter how simple—as a potential vehicle for AI features and cloud integration.
More Than a Fresh Coat of Paint: Windows 11 and Modernized Classics
Notepad isn’t the only classic moving into the future. The Windows 11 ecosystem is awash in updates to longstanding apps. Paint, the storied drawing utility, recently gained AI-driven sticker generation, while the Snipping Tool leverages artificial intelligence to enhance screenshots and deliver precise color information from screen grabs.What’s notable is Microsoft’s coherent strategy—breathing new life into apps that were once all but ignored, using both modern design cues and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. Paint and Notepad received major design overhauls back in 2021 to reflect the Fluent Design System, giving them a cleaner, more inviting look alongside Windows 11’s broader visual refresh.
Surprisingly Controversial Progress
Yet these changes aren’t universally praised. Notepad’s new formatting options have raised eyebrows within the community. For many power users and developers, Notepad’s appeal lies in its very absence of formatting—acting as a blank slate immune to the hassles of unwanted fonts, bullet points, or hyperlinks. Introducing formatting could muddy that clarity, transform workflows, or even spark confusion when plain text is strictly required (e.g., log files, code snippets).Microsoft must therefore walk a careful line: enhancing user experience for a modern audience—without alienating the legions who rely on Notepad’s predictability.
Enter AI: Windows 11 Copilot+ and Beyond
The most dramatic pivot in Windows 11’s narrative, however, is the assimilation of artificial intelligence across the OS ecosystem. Microsoft’s flagship innovation, Copilot, and its offshoots are redefining user interaction: context-aware automation, content generation, and advanced search have become core to the Windows proposition.In the case of Notepad, generative AI features—deployed in an update on May 22—enable users to instantly draft content or perform summaries, tasks once relegated to heavyweight word processors or browser-based services. This isn’t simply about keeping up with Apple or Google; it’s a recognition that, for many users, simple tools are where productivity begins. Embedding AI in these touchstones unlocks entirely new workflows for millions.
Recall: The Controversial AI Time Machine
One of the most provocative new features is Recall. Built into Copilot+ PCs, Recall continuously takes snapshots of your computing activity, indexing everything into a searchable timeline. In practice, this means users can retrieve nearly anything they’ve looked at—documents, conversations, images—with a simple query. While convenient, it raises substantial privacy and ethical concerns, drawing parallels to “black box” surveillance. Microsoft claims Recall’s snapshots and AI processing stay local (at least for now), but experts advise caution until more rigorous transparency is provided about data handling, retention policies, and opt-out procedures.Snipping Tool and Paint: AI-Powered Creativity
Alongside Record, the Snipping Tool now features AI-driven image analysis, highlighting color values for designers and developers seeking precision. Paint’s AI sticker generation, while whimsical, demonstrates Microsoft’s vision: transforming simple utilities into smart tools that punch well above their weight.Rewriting the Rules: Goodbye Blue Screen—Hello Green?
Perhaps the most symbolic indication of change is the rumored shift from the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) to a more subdued Green Screen of Death (GSoD), being trialed with Windows Insiders. While the BSoD has functioned as both a technical blight and pop culture meme for decades, the revamped GSoD strips away much of the technical information, aiming to be less intimidating while maintaining user awareness of critical errors.Although some view the change as cosmetic, it reflects Microsoft’s broader emphasis on user comfort and psychological impact—a subtle but telling shift from brute technicality to approachable design.
Evaluating the Risks and Opportunities
As Microsoft overhauls its core Windows experiences, several benefits and pitfalls emerge.Notable Strengths
- User Empowerment: Modernizing classics like Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool makes them relevant for contemporary workflows and keeps Windows feeling fresh for new generations of users.
- Seamless Integration of AI: Embedding generative AI and context-aware features into universally-known apps democratizes productivity tools, making them accessible to users who traditionally avoid complex software.
- Unified Design Language: Cohesive visual identity and UX patterns across all built-in apps increase usability and lower friction for first-time users or those switching between devices.
Potential Risks
- User Alienation: Long-time users may resent changes that complicate previously “pure” workflows—particularly in a program like Notepad, whose simplicity was its advantage.
- Privacy and Security Concerns: Features like Recall raise alarms among privacy advocates; even with on-device processing, questions remain around accidental data leaks, abuse, or regulatory compliance.
- Feature Creep and Bloat: By continuously layering new functionality onto old programs, there is a risk that once-snappy apps become sluggish or lose their essential identity, undermining their original design purpose.
Community Voices: A Divided Reception
Early reactions from Windows Insiders and the broader Windows community underscore the polarized attitudes toward these changes. On forums, support tickets, and social media threads, debates rage between traditionalists—who argue any formatting in Notepad is “feature creep”—and progressive users who see the overhaul as vital to maintain Windows’ relevance against nimbler digital competitors.Some enthusiasts point out that even Apple's TextEdit and many Linux distro equivalents support both plain and rich text, suggesting that Microsoft has actually lagged behind the status quo for too long. Others counter that Windows’ particular ecosystem—with its deep history in development and system administration—demands adherence to plain text purity for core tools like Notepad.
The Broader Strategy: AI as Table Stakes for the Future
It’s clear that Microsoft’s approach to classic apps is more than a matter of keeping up appearances. The Windows experience is moving decisively toward a world in which every user interaction can be augmented by artificial intelligence—whether you’re managing files, editing photos, or just taking notes.Part of this is defensive (protecting Windows’ dominant user base from rivals offering slicker alternatives), but it’s also a long-term play: by seeding AI capabilities throughout even the simplest applications, Microsoft ensures users naturally acclimate to Copilot+ features, both on new hardware and in the cloud.
Preparing Users for the Future: What to Expect
For the Average User
Those who use Notepad for brainstorming, lists, or basic documentation will soon enjoy richer formatting—without needing to launch Word or an online app. Paint and the Snipping Tool will quietly get smarter, handling creative and technical workflows with less friction.For Professionals and Power Users
Expect transitional turbulence. System administrators, programmers, and technical users may need to clarify which mode or version of Notepad supports “plain text only” and watch for any subtle changes impacting automated workflows or legacy file compatibility. While Microsoft is likely to preserve raw editing capabilities, vigilance is warranted during major updates.For Privacy-Conscious Users
Carefully review all AI features—especially Recall—to understand what data is collected, how it's stored, and how it can be erased. Microsoft’s privacy stance is evolving rapidly, but regulatory environments in the EU and beyond may force further transparency soon.Final Thoughts: The Value—and Challenge—of Change
Microsoft’s rejuvenation of Notepad and its classic stable is overdue, but not without controversy. The delicate act of modernizing sacred tools—without alienating loyalists—may define Windows 11’s legacy as much as its more overt Copilot+ innovations. For all the advances in AI-powered productivity, users will continue to expect reliability, simplicity, and granular control over how and when new features intrude.As Notepad, Paint, and even Windows’ infamous crash screens get their 2025 upgrades, the debate over what “modern Windows” truly means is just beginning. One truth remains: Microsoft’s willingness to revisit the basics shows an OS willing to learn from the past—without being chained to it. For users, that means a richer, more dynamic Windows experience—but, as ever, with the need to tread carefully as we step into the future.
Source: Inkl This classic Windows program is finally getting features you’d expect in 2025
