The concern is that more features introduces more risk. See CVE-2026-20841 for a recent example. If the application remained a simple text editor, it is unlikely exploits like this would be possible.
The truth is, unless Notepad got some kind of makeover, it was a useless vestige. It obviously wasn’t a good text editor for plain monospaced text. Having basically zero features didn’t serve anyone - why not use Notepad++ or vim in that case?
I think the most popular use of notepad is to read text files quickly and these days that often includes Markdown files. It makes perfect sense for Notepad to evolve into something that’s actually useful for lightly formatted text formats.
but i dont think most people here are complaining because of security risk... otherwise they wouldnt be recommending things like notepad++, other obscure editors, or editors with way larger code bases.
That's a false sense of security. We have a LONG list of vulnerabilities in open source software that were "simple" programs for decades. The house of cards approach to security is just not it.
The ergonomics of the new version are slightly different. The default behavior of opening tabs with previously-open files is jarring to me. I just remove it (Powershell command line in another comment) and the original "Notepad.exe" takes over.
I've spent a long time building up my muscle memory. I don't want my tools changing out from under me. If they wanted to ship an "enhanced" notepad they should have called its something else.
SamuelAdams|4 days ago
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-20...
dangus|3 days ago
Fun fact: you can uninstall Notepad!
The truth is, unless Notepad got some kind of makeover, it was a useless vestige. It obviously wasn’t a good text editor for plain monospaced text. Having basically zero features didn’t serve anyone - why not use Notepad++ or vim in that case?
I think the most popular use of notepad is to read text files quickly and these days that often includes Markdown files. It makes perfect sense for Notepad to evolve into something that’s actually useful for lightly formatted text formats.
john_strinlai|4 days ago
but i dont think most people here are complaining because of security risk... otherwise they wouldnt be recommending things like notepad++, other obscure editors, or editors with way larger code bases.
jajuuka|4 days ago
EvanAnderson|4 days ago
I've spent a long time building up my muscle memory. I don't want my tools changing out from under me. If they wanted to ship an "enhanced" notepad they should have called its something else.
encom|4 days ago
whynotmaybe|4 days ago
But we think we're right and still we thought they were wrong.
If we were in a PHP forum, this would be my signature: I'm getting too old for this shit.
unknown|4 days ago
[deleted]
jajuuka|4 days ago
pipeline_peak|4 days ago
Just make your own damn notepad if it bothers you lol.