Hands-On Windows 180: The Return of Microsoft Edit
Host: Paul Thurrott
Date: March 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Paul Thurrott dives into Microsoft Edit, a command-line-based text editor recently (re)introduced by Microsoft for Windows 11. He explores why Microsoft is bringing back this classic-styled editor amid controversies and changes surrounding Notepad, provides a hands-on walkthrough of Edit’s current capabilities, and reminisces about text editing tools from the early days of DOS. Paul demonstrates how to install, open, and use Microsoft Edit, points out its strengths and current limitations, and encourages viewers who crave a lightweight, distraction-free text editing experience to give it a try.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why a New Text Editor? (00:18–01:55)

• Microsoft has made controversial updates to Notepad, including:
  • Addition of tabs, markdown, Copilot AI features, and Microsoft account integration.
• Paul notes, “I’m actually okay with basically all of the additions to Notepad personally, but I’ve seen the complaints...” (01:05).
• Microsoft Edit has emerged in response, aiming to offer a simple, classic, text-based editing experience:
  • Not a replacement but an alternative for users who want to avoid Notepad’s bloat.

2. Background on Microsoft Edit (01:55–03:20)

• Edit is a free, command-line interface (CLI) app from Microsoft:
  • Works on Windows and Linux.
  • Available for download via GitHub ahead of native Windows 11 integration.
• Paul: “If you are an old school Windows user like I am... you may have used Microsoft Editor like this in the past.” (04:54).

3. Hands-on with Microsoft Edit (04:48–11:50)

• Installation and Launching (04:48–05:30):
  • Download from GitHub (github.com/microsoft/edit).
  • Launched directly from the terminal by typing edit.
• User Interface & Features (05:30–11:50):
  • Reminiscent of DOS-era editors, keyboard-centric but with mouse support.
  • Window adapts to size changes and accepts zoom (Ctrl + +).
  • Basic file operations are available: open (Ctrl+O), new (Ctrl+N), save (Ctrl+S).
  • Supports word wrap and visual cues for line breaks.
  • Power-user features:
    • Quick switching between open files (Ctrl+P).
    • Find (Ctrl+F) and Replace (Ctrl+R) functions.
    • Mouse interaction with menu options.
  • Example: Opening markdown files, writing, and saving text.
• Notable quote:

  “It adapts to this window. So if I resize this thing, it resizes with it. If I maximize it, it resizes with it... There’s menus and things like that... And you can actually see it a little bit better.” — Paul Thurrott (05:54)

• Open With Integration (09:45–10:45):
  • By default, Edit isn’t integrated into the Windows Explorer “Open with” dialog.
  • Workaround is to manually select its location (Windows\System32) the first time, making it easier for subsequent use.

4. Features and Limitations (10:45–11:50)

• Strengths:
  • Extremely lightweight (kilobytes in size).
  • Simple, focused, and fast for editing text.
• Current limitations:
  • No support for rich text, formatting, or live markdown rendering.
  • No bold or italic formatting—just plain text.
  • Files like images (e.g., PNG) won’t open properly.
  • Does not appear as an option in “Open with” by default—manual setup required.

5. Nostalgia and Personal Reflections (06:10, 11:20)

• Paul recalls old-school programming editors such as Borland Turbo C and Quick C.
• Emphasizes the calming, focused experience Edit offers:

  “There’s something very calming and focused about it, especially when you bring it up in a full screen interface...” (11:20)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Notepad’s new direction:

  “They added all this Copilot stuff. There’s superfluous UI about what’s happening and Microsoft account sign in so you can get to your AI credit balance. Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay.” — Paul Thurrott (00:45)

• Nostalgia for old editors:

  “If you are an old school Windows user like I am... you may have used Microsoft Editor like this in the past.” — Paul Thurrott (04:54)

• On Edit’s main appeal:

  “It’s super lightweight. This is kilobytes in size, not megabytes. It's tiny... And it’s a cool app. I really like it. So I hope you like it too.” — Paul Thurrott (11:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18–01:55: Notepad controversies and Microsoft Edit's emergence.
• 01:55–03:20: Overview of Edit, its history, and where to get it.
• 04:48–05:30: Installing and launching Edit from GitHub.
• 05:30–08:40: Exploring user interface, opening, editing, and saving files.
• 08:40–10:45: Multiple document handling, find/replace features, and navigation.
• 09:45–10:45: Adding Edit to Windows “Open with” and manual Explorer integration.
• 10:45–11:50: Reflections on limitations and lightweight design; closing thoughts and hopes for wider adoption.

Summary & Takeaway

Paul Thurrott presents Microsoft Edit as a refreshing, minimalist alternative to Notepad for those nostalgic for or simply desiring a clean, no-frills text editing experience. While not feature-rich or fully integrated into Windows yet, Edit is praised for its speed, focus, and legacy feel. Advanced users and newcomers alike can appreciate its simplicity, provided they don't mind the command-line launch and manual file association. The episode is both a practical guide and an affectionate look at the enduring appeal of simple tools amidst ever-more complex software environments.