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Guide · Open source

How to use Notepads: install, shortcuts and tips

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Notepads is a free, open-source text editor for Windows, designed as a modern replacement for the built-in Notepad. It adds a tabbed interface, a Markdown live preview and a side-by-side diff viewer while staying lightweight. This guide shows you how to install it, use its main features and shortcuts, and understand its limits before you rely on it.

Notepads0x7c13/Notepads · ★ 10.3k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check winget. Confirm that Windows Package Manager (winget) is available on your Windows PC.
  2. 2Install Notepads. Run winget install "Notepads App" in a terminal, or download it from the Microsoft Store.
  3. 3Open a file. Run notepads followed by a file path to open that file directly.
  4. 4Use tabs. Press Ctrl+N or Ctrl+T to open a new tab and Ctrl+Tab to move between tabs.
  5. 5Turn on Markdown preview. Open a Markdown file and press Alt+P to show the live preview split view.
  6. 6Check changes. Press Alt+D to open the side-by-side diff viewer and review your edits.

Install Notepads on Windows

Notepads is distributed through the Microsoft Store and the Windows Package Manager. If Windows Package Manager (winget) is available on your PC, you can install it from a command line with one command.

  • Open a terminal such as Command Prompt or PowerShell.
  • Run the install command shown below.
  • Launch Notepads from the Start menu, or from the terminal as described in the next section.
winget install "Notepads App"

Open files from the command line

Notepads can be launched from the command line or PowerShell. Type notepads on its own to open the app, or pass a file path to open a specific file.

  • notepads opens the app.
  • notepads %FilePath% opens the file at the path you give it.
notepads %FilePath%

Work with tabs, sessions and multiple windows

Notepads has a built-in tab system, so several documents can live in one window. It also includes session snapshot support and multi-instance use, so you can run more than one copy of the app at once.

Use the keyboard shortcuts below to move quickly between tabs and zoom the text.

  • Ctrl+N or Ctrl+T creates a new tab.
  • Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+Shift+Tab switches between tabs.
  • Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+9 jumps to a specific tab.
  • Ctrl+Plus and Ctrl+Minus zoom; Ctrl+0 resets zoom to default.
  • Ctrl+L and Ctrl+R change text flow direction between LTR and RTL.

Preview Markdown and compare changes

Notepads has a built-in Markdown live preview. Press Alt+P to toggle a split view that shows the rendered Markdown next to your source.

The built-in diff viewer lets you preview your changes before saving. Press Alt+D to toggle a side-by-side diff view.

  • Alt+P: toggle the Markdown preview split view.
  • Alt+D: toggle the side-by-side diff viewer.

Know the limits before you start

Notepads is built on UWP, which brings restrictions. You cannot save files into system folders such as windows or system32. You also cannot associate potentially harmful file types such as .cmd or .bat with the app.

The app does not work well with large files. The file size limit is 1MB for now, and the author notes that large file support may come later.

  • Files cannot be saved to system folders (for example windows or system32).
  • .cmd and .bat file types cannot be associated with Notepads.
  • Files larger than 1MB are not well supported.

What people use it for

  • Replacing Windows Notepad with a tabbed editor for everyday notes.
  • Editing config files in tabs and restoring your session later.
  • Writing Markdown with a live preview next to the source.
  • Previewing changes to a text file with the side-by-side diff viewer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Notepads free?

Yes. The Microsoft Store listing describes Notepads as free to get, and the project is open source under the MIT licence.

How do I install Notepads?

Install it from the Microsoft Store or run winget install "Notepads App" in a terminal, provided the Windows Package Manager (winget) is available on your PC.

What are the system requirements for Notepads?

The README describes Notepads as a Windows app built on UWP, and the install route requires Windows with winget available. It does not list other specific hardware requirements.

Does Notepads work on macOS or Linux?

No, the README only describes Windows. Notepads is not documented as available for macOS or Linux.

Why won't Notepads save my file to a system folder?

Notepads runs under UWP restrictions, which block saving files to system folders such as windows or system32.

How does Notepads compare to Notepad++ or VS Code?

The author says Notepad++, VS Code and Sublime are great editors but can be too heavy or less appealing for quick notes. Notepads aims to be a simpler, lightweight Windows replacement for Notepad.

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Our verdict

Notepads suits Windows users who want a fast, modern replacement for Notepad with tabs, session restore and Markdown preview. Skip it if you work with files over 1MB, need to save into system folders, or use macOS or Linux, and consider Notepad++, Sublime Text or VS Code for heavier editing.

Install options & downloads