Notepad and Snipping Tool are Getting New Features

Microsoft announced today that new versions of Notepad and Snipping Tool for Windows 11 are available in the Dev and Canary channels of the Windows Insider Program, each with new features.

Notepad will finally support auto-saving text files, a feature I first added to my own Notepad alternative, .NETpad, back in 2019.

“Notepad will start automatically saving your session state allowing you to close Notepad without any interrupting dialogs and then pick up where you left off when you return,” Microsoft’s Dave Grochocki writes. “Notepad will automatically restore previously open tabs as well as unsaved content and edits across those open tabs. Saved session state does not impact any of your files, though, and it is still your choice whether to save or discard unsaved changes to files anytime you close a tab. You can turn this feature off in app settings if you would prefer to have a fresh start every time you open Notepad.”

As for the Snipping Tool, Microsoft is updating the user experience with a sleeker combined capture bar that lets you easily switch between capturing screenshots and screen recordings without first opening the app. To access it, press the PRTSCRN (Print Screen) or type WINKEY + SHIFT + S for a screen snip, or WINKEY + SHIFT + R for a screen recording.

Presumably, these updates will land in Windows 11 version 23H2 at some point.