Alex Ruben
How To Update Notepad in Windows 11 with New Text Formatting Features
Figured I’d share what I ran into trying to get that new Notepad update on Windows 11. Not exactly a straightforward process, especially if you’re on the slower channels or just want the latest features without waiting. It’s kinda weird, but sometimes you have to sideload or tweak things to get it working. If you’ve noticed your Notepad sticking to the old look, or if the new formatting features aren’t showing up even after updating, here’s a rundown that might help.
Been there, done that—this guide covers the usual ways and a couple of sneaky tricks to enable all those nifty formatting options, especially if the update isn’t showing in the Microsoft Store or the installed app isn’t behaving.
Step 1: Confirm your Windows 11 build & channel
You might not get the new Notepad if your system isn’t on a compatible build or channel. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options and see what build you’re running. If you’re on Beta or Release Preview, you should be good. But if you’re on a stable or slow ring, the update might not be pushed yet. No harm in updating your OS first—sometimes that’s enough.
Step 2: Look for it in Microsoft Store
First off, launch Microsoft Store. Then click on your profile picture or the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Downloads and updates. Hit Check for updates. Often the update just sits there, waiting to be downloaded. If the new Notepad is listed, fingers crossed—hit download and install. On some setups, this fails the first time, then magically works after a reboot. So don’t freak out if it’s not instant.
Step 3: Manual install if auto-update fails
If the update still doesn’t show or you’re on a channel that doesn’t push it automatically, here’s a trick. Sometimes the official store links are hidden or won’t update properly. You can try getting the latest Notepad via a direct link or sideload it manually:
- Head over to store.r.adguard.net — yes, that’s a workaround site that caches MS Store links.
- In your browser, search for Notepad Microsoft Store or paste this URL: Microsoft Store – Notepad.
- Copy the store URL and paste it into the adguard site’s search box, then hit check. Set the dropdown to fast.
- It’ll fetch some files. Scroll down for the version like
11.2504.52> or newer, right click the Download button, and save the appx or msix package somewhere easy to find.
Step 4: Install that package
Double-click your downloaded package and follow the prompts—the installer should just run, but if you get any errors about dependencies, you might need to install the App Installer from the Microsoft Store first. After installation, open Notepad—you still might see the old look.
Step 5: Use ViveTool to unlock new features
This is probably where the magic happens, but it’s also where Windows makes things harder than necessary. Download ViveTool from GitHub—grab the latest release, usually a ZIP file.
Extract it into a folder—say, C:\ViveTool. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for cmd, right-click, Run as administrator) and navigate to that folder: cd C:\ViveTool.
Now, run this command to enable the new formatting features: vivetool /enable /id:41073112. On some systems, it might actually require a reboot or manual refresh—sometimes it doesn’t tip off immediately.
Step 6: Restart & enjoy
Yeah, gotta reboot. Once the PC boots back up, open Notepad and check if the new toolbar or options are there. Sometimes, the features need a couple of tries or a full sign-out and sign-in, but mostly it works after reboot.
Step 7: Try out the new formatting
Click into Notepad, then look for the new buttons—like bold, italics, or insert link. If they’re missing, double-check the enable command or ensure you’re running the latest Notepad version. Weird things happen—on one setup, it worked right away, on another… not so much.
Extra tips & common gotchas
If things aren’t working:
- Make sure your Windows is updated to the latest build. Sometimes, you need a specific build number to unlock features.
- Re-run the vivetool command if the features aren’t showing up—sometimes a second run helps.
- Check if you’re on the right channel—Insiders get features earlier, at least in theory.
- If nothing works, consider reinstalling the app or even doing a clean install of the latest Windows build.
So yeah, installing the latest Notepad with exclusive features isn’t super smooth right now, but it’s do-able. Mainly, it’s about sideloading, using ViveTool, and rebooting until everything lines up. Because of course, Windows has to make it a puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my Notepad showing the new formatting options?
Most likely because you’re not on the right build/channel or haven’t enabled features via ViveTool yet.
Can I get the update without using ViveTool?
If the update isn’t in your store or your system isn’t configured, probably not. Waiting for Microsoft’s push is the safe bet, but sideloading is an option—at your own risk.
Revert to old Notepad? How?
Uninstall the new version via Settings > Apps, then get the previous package, or roll back to an earlier Windows build.