Learn how to disable the new text formatting options and features in Notepad simply and easily.
Unlike the classic Notepad, the new Notepad app in Windows 11 has way more options and also supports text formatting using markdown syntax while still being just as fast and lightweight. For example, you can create headings, add links, format lists, and more. While it is not a full-fledged editor like Word, for simple text editing, it works wonders. When needed, you can clear formatting either by clicking a button or pressing a keyboard shortcut.
Though the built-in text formatting options are a good addition, if you don’t like them and want Notepad to be just that, a barebones text editor, you can disable these options. In this quick and straightforward guide, let me show you the steps to disable text formatting in Notepad on Windows 11. Let’s get started.
Good to read: How to restore classic Notepad in Windows 11
Steps to Disable Text Formatting in Notepad
- Click the “Windows” icon to open the Start menu.
- Search for “Notepad” and click “Open“.
- Click the “Settings” icon in the top-right corner.
- Turn OFF the “Formatting” toggle.
- Click the “Turn OFF” button.
- With that, you’ve disabled text formatting in Notepad.
Good to read: How to enable or disable word wrap in Notepad
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, we must open the Notepad app. To do that, open the Start menu by clicking the “Windows” icon on the taskbar. Next, search for “Notepad” and then click the “Open” option.
The next step is to open the Notepad settings tab. To do that, click the “Settings” icon (looks like a gear) appearing in the top-right corner.
Good to read: How to open files in new tabs in Notepad
In the Settings tab, turn OFF the “Formatting” toggle. The changes are saved automatically.
When prompted for confirmation, click the “Turn OFF” button.
That is all. It is that simple to turn off text formatting in Notepad in Windows 11.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
Good to read:
I turned off Formatting, but when I paste formatted text into a blank file, it brings the formatting with it. The whole advantage of Notepad for 40 years is that THERE’S NO FORMATTING. I can copy any string of text from any source, in whatever format was chosen by whomever, paste it into Notepad, and then Copy it from there and Paste it into whatever I’m doing – Excel, Word, or most helpfully Yahoo Mail where I have no practical formatting control – and it just adds the string in whatever format I was already working in. Beautiful.
Why is Microsoft so pathologically determined to “improve” everything until it’s utterly broken?
Is there a workaround for this? If anyone is moved to reply, please don’t assume everyone knows the difference between “rich text,” “ASCII,” and “markdown.”