Windows Weekly (WW 935): Don't Spritz Yourself - The Great Notepad Controversy of 2025

Release Date: June 5, 2025
Hosts: Paul Thurrott & Richard Campbell
Recording Time: Wednesday, June 4, 2025

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

In Episode 935 of Windows Weekly, titled "Don't Spritz Yourself - The Great Notepad Controversy of 2025!", hosts Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell delve into a series of controversies surrounding longstanding Microsoft applications. With Richard on safari in South Africa, Paul takes the lead in dissecting the week's hot topics, starting with the evolution and recent debates surrounding Notepad.

2. The Evolution of Notepad

[05:09] Richard Campbell:
"Notepad has been around since before Windows, right. People didn't know this at the time because no one paid attention to this stuff..."

Richard provides a comprehensive history of Notepad, tracing its origins from its early days as a simple text editor to its integration into modern Windows environments. Over the decades, Notepad has seen several updates:

• Unicode Support & 32-bit Conversion: Adapted for Windows NT to handle diverse encoding formats.
• UI Refreshes: Minor tweaks over the years, with significant changes introduced in Windows 10 and 11 to align with contemporary design aesthetics.
• Feature Enhancements: Introduction of tabs, recent file menus, and customizable settings without compromising the application's simplicity.

[08:31] Paul Thurrott:
"Notepad has never not been in good shape. They've always done right by Notepad."

Paul underscores Microsoft's commitment to maintaining Notepad's core functionality while subtly enhancing its capabilities to meet modern user needs.

3. Introducing AI Features in Notepad

[07:40] Richard Campbell:
"They've been very respectful to the app and to its user. If you don't like these features, you can turn them off."

With the advent of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced AI-driven features into Notepad, branded as Copilot integrations. These features include:

• Text Manipulation: Rewriting, drafting, and formatting text with AI assistance.
• Creative Tools: Transforming documents into poetic forms.

Despite these additions, Notepad retains its fundamental purpose as a plain text editor, ensuring that users who prefer a minimalist interface can continue to use it without hindrance.

4. Community Reactions and Controversy

The integration of AI features sparked significant debate within the Windows community. Traditionalists expressed concerns over the potential "bloat" of an otherwise straightforward tool.

[12:54] Paul Thurrott:
"They don't want it to change."

[12:56] Richard Campbell:
"This is a big problem with the community these days. I think it's like, we're all old enough now. It's like, stop changing things."

However, Richard defends the updates, arguing that Microsoft's enhancements are optional and designed to showcase technological advancements rather than impose unwanted changes.

[20:40] Paul Thurrott:
"Mary Jo Foley writes about this, but the AI stuff is kind of pushing their AI aims and all that kind of stuff."

The backlash included vocal critics like Mary Jo Foley, who weren't pleased with the direction Microsoft was taking with Notepad. Richard addressed these concerns by emphasizing the flexibility users have to disable or ignore the new features, maintaining that the core functionality remains untouched.

5. Addressing Concerns: Is This "Insertification"?

Richard introduces the concept of "Insertification", where companies add features to benefit themselves while potentially harming users. Contrastively, he argues that Microsoft's approach with Notepad does not fit this definition because:

• Opt-In Features: Users can choose to disable AI functionalities.
• Preservation of Simplicity: The essential role of Notepad remains unchanged.

[12:56] Richard Campbell:
"The copilot stuff is kind of pushing their AI aims... But you can turn it off. It doesn't get in your way."

This perspective highlights Microsoft's balance between innovation and user autonomy, ensuring that enhancements do not detract from the application's original purpose.

6. Conclusion: Notepad's Resilience and Future

Despite the controversies, Notepad continues to be a beloved tool for many, serving as a testament to its enduring simplicity and functionality. Microsoft's respectful approach to incorporating new technologies ensures that Notepad remains relevant without alienating its core user base.

[13:30] Paul Thurrott:
"So you're not losing that. It's still writing text files, not RTF files like WordPad."

Paul reaffirms that Notepad retains its identity as a plain text editor, distinct from more feature-heavy applications like WordPad, ensuring clarity of purpose and utility for users.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Thurrott [07:42]:
  "Notepad has never not been in good shape. They've always done right by Notepad."

• Richard Campbell [12:56]:
  "The copilot stuff is kind of pushing their AI aims... But you can turn it off. It doesn't get in your way."

• Paul Thurrott [20:51]:
  "What does this have to do with you running Office or whatever? It's just like."

Final Thoughts

Episode 935 of Windows Weekly offers an insightful exploration into the delicate balance Microsoft maintains between innovation and user preference. By enhancing Notepad with AI features while preserving its foundational simplicity, Microsoft navigates user expectations and technological advancement adeptly. Despite some backlash, Notepad's longevity and continued relevance underscore its significance in the Windows ecosystem.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the essential discussions and perspectives shared by Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell, providing a clear understanding of the Great Notepad Controversy of 2025.