Notepad has always been a lightweight and straightforward tool for quick text editing, but with Windows 11, Microsoft has given it a modern refresh while keeping its classic simplicity intact. While it may not be as advanced as other code editors or word processors, the new Windows 11 Notepad app comes with several customization features that can enhance your productivity and comfort. Whether you’re jotting down a to-do list or editing code, customizing Notepad can turn it into a more enjoyable and efficient tool.
Here are 7 ways to customize the Windows 11 Notepad app to better match your style and workflow:
1. Switch Between Light and Dark Mode
This is perhaps the most noticeable customization. Windows 11 Notepad now supports both light and dark themes, which can be adjusted independently of your system settings.
- Open Notepad.
- Click the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner.
- Under the App Theme section, choose between Light, Dark, or Use system setting.
Dark mode not only reduces eye strain during nighttime use but also gives the sleek new Notepad interface a modern touch.
2. Change the Font Style and Size
Whether you prefer a monospaced font for coding or a more serif-style font for writing, Notepad lets you choose the font that suits your preference.
- Navigate to Settings again.
- Scroll to the Font section.
- Choose your desired Font family, style, and size.
This is great for users who need larger text for accessibility reasons or just want their workspace to feel more personalized.
3. Enable or Disable Word Wrap
Word wrap automatically ensures that lengthy lines of text are wrapped to the next line, making documents easier to read without horizontal scrolling.
- Go to View in the menu bar.
- Select or deselect Word Wrap.
When working with code where formatting matters, you may want to turn it off. For general note-taking and reading, enabling word wrap is usually more comfortable.
4. Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Access
Customization isn’t just about how things look—it’s also about how they function. Windows 11 Notepad supports several handy shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Open a new Notepad window
- Ctrl + H: Open the Replace dialog
- Ctrl + F: Find text in your document
- Ctrl + +/-: Zoom in and out
Mastering these shortcuts can make your Notepad experience significantly faster and smoother.
5. Personalize Zoom Level
Did you know you can adjust the zoom level in Windows 11 Notepad without changing the font size? This is great for on-the-fly readability enhancements.
- Click on the View tab.
- Select Zoom In or Zoom Out.
You can also hold Ctrl and scroll with your mouse wheel for instant zoom adjustments.
6. Change Text Direction for Multilingual Support
If you’re working in a language that uses right-to-left text (such as Arabic or Hebrew), Notepad allows you to switch text direction.
- Right-click anywhere in the text window.
- Select Right-to-Left Reading Order.
This is a thoughtful addition that makes Notepad more versatile and globally usable.
7. Change Default File Encoding
Encoding is especially important if you work with multilingual text or programming code. Notepad now allows you to choose a default encoding option.
- When saving files, choose Save As.
- In the dialog window, look for Encoding options at the bottom.
- Select between UTF-8, UTF-16 LE, UTF-16 BE, or ANSI.
This is particularly useful when sharing text files across different platforms or systems that handle encoding differently.
Final Thoughts
While still delightfully minimalistic, Windows 11 Notepad now offers a range of customization options that make it more powerful than ever. Whether you’re adjusting the appearance, changing how text behaves, or improving your workflow with shortcuts, these small tweaks can have a big impact. Explore these options and transform Notepad into the perfect notetaking tool for your needs.
