How to Use Markdown and Rich Text Formatting in Windows 11 Notepad

Microsoft has quietly turned Notepad into a surprisingly capable editor in Windows 11. What used to be a bare-bones text viewer can now handle Markdown formatting and rich text styling, making it far more useful for writers, developers, students, and anyone who prefers clean, distraction-free editing.

Whether you’re putting together quick notes, writing a blog outline, or experimenting with Markdown for documentation, Notepad now supports it—and it does so with a smooth, modern interface.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use Markdown and rich text formatting inside Windows 11 Notepad, step by step.

What You’ll Need

All you need is a Windows 11 PC running the latest Notepad update. Microsoft rolled out Markdown and rich text formatting in version 11.2401.25.0 and later, so it’s good to update Notepad through the Microsoft Store before we begin.

Once you’re ready, let’s get into it.

1. Update Notepad to Enable Markdown and Rich Text Formatting

Before using these new features, make sure Notepad is up to date.

Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
Click Library in the bottom-left corner.
Press Get updates to update all apps.
Ensure that Notepad gets updated to the latest version.

Sometimes I wish I were a fly on the wall in Microsoft’s labs—Notepad gets new features randomly but quietly, like they’re trying to surprise us.

2. Open a Markdown or Rich Text File in Notepad

Once updated, Notepad automatically recognizes Markdown files (.md) and rich-text files (.rtf).

Open File Explorer and locate your Markdown file.
Right-click the .md or .txt file and choose Open with > Notepad.
Notepad will render Markdown formatting live as you type.

If you’re starting fresh, just open Notepad and begin writing—no special setup required.

3. Use Markdown Formatting in Windows 11 Notepad

Notepad supports the most commonly used Markdown syntax. Here’s what you can do:

1. Headings

Use # symbols to create headings:

# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3

2. Bold and Italic Text

**Bold text**
*Italic text*
***Bold and italic***

3. Bullet Lists

- Item one
- Item two
  - Nested item

4. Numbered Lists

1. First step
2. Second step
3. Third step

5. Code Blocks

Use triple backticks:

code example

6. Inline Code

Here is `inline code`.

7. Links

[CodingLap](https://codinglap.com)

8. Blockquotes

> This is a quote.

Notepad instantly renders the styled Markdown preview on the right side (in split view mode), making it much easier to visualize documents.

4. Use Rich Text Formatting in Notepad

Beyond Markdown, Notepad also supports basic rich text styling such as:

1. Bold, Italic, Underline

Select any text.
Right-click and choose Bold, Italic, or Underline.
Or use shortcuts like:
- Ctrl + B – Bold
- Ctrl + I – Italic
- Ctrl + U – Underline

2. Change Font Size and Style

Highlight the text.
Go to the Format menu.
Choose Font to change typeface, size, or weight.

3. Highlight or Color Text

Use the text formatting menu to apply:

Text color
Background highlight

This brings Notepad closer to WordPad (RIP), but still lighter and cleaner.

5. Use Split View for Markdown Preview

One of the best additions to the new Notepad is split screen view for Markdown.

Click the Split View icon on the top-right.
Notepad will show your raw Markdown on the left.
A live formatted preview appears on the right.

This is great for documentation, README files, and blog drafts.

6. Autosave and Version History

Notepad now includes modern conveniences:

Autosave

Notepad automatically saves content as you type.
You no longer lose your work if the app crashes or you close a tab.

File History

Click on File > Save a copy to create different versions.
Useful for managing drafts or tracking revisions.

These features make Notepad feel more like a lightweight editor instead of a throwaway text viewer.

7. Export or Save as Markdown, TXT, or RTF

You can save your work in different formats depending on your needs:

Markdown (.md)
Plain text (.txt)
Rich Text Format (.rtf)

To do that:

Click File > Save As.
Choose your preferred file type.
Save the document anywhere you like.

Tips for a Better Markdown Experience in Notepad

Here are a few suggestions to make writing smoother:

Keep the preview pane open when editing Markdown.
Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste as plain text.
Write lists and code blocks using indentation for cleaner formatting.
Use Notepad tabs to manage multiple articles or drafts at once.
Use dark mode if you’re writing for long periods—it’s much easier on the eyes.

Wrapping Up

Microsoft has transformed Notepad into a surprisingly powerful editor with Markdown rendering, rich text formatting, split view, and modern editing tools. Whether you’re jotting down notes, writing documentation, or preparing drafts for blog posts, Notepad now provides a clean, efficient, and user-friendly writing environment.