Microsoft is splitting up Notepad from Windows 10. Starting with Windows 10 20H1, Microsoft will deliver Notepad as a standalone Microsoft Store app.
What that means is that Notepad will continue to come included with Windows 10 as usual, but the way Microsoft updates Notepad will change. Notepad updates will no longer have any connection with Windows 10 updates or release scheme, and it will receive independent updates via the Microsoft Store.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
That’s obviously a very good change as Microsoft will now be able to update Notepad without having to release a whole update to the OS. “We’re making a change so that future Notepad updates will be automatically available via the store. This will allow us the flexibility to respond to issues and feedback outside the bounds of Windows releases,” said Microsoft.
It’s not clear if Microsoft plans on releasing any major features to Notepad in the near-term, though. Notepad did receive a number of new features over the last year or so, and maybe that’s just a part of more to come. But now that Notepad updates are soon going to be decoupled from Windows 10 once 20H1 ships, we may soon start seeing new features frequently.
skane2600
<p>Because users have been demanding that Notepad updates should be happening more frequently? </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#449980">In reply to Letsmakeitbetter:</a></em></blockquote><p>I doubt we would all agree on what "just an OS" would actually include or not include. The App Store itself might not qualify. </p>
dontbeevil
<blockquote><em><a href="#449980">In reply to Letsmakeitbetter:</a></em></blockquote><p>Tell me about other "just" OS… For examole chess app in mac os (that you can't even unistall) </p>