*Updated on November 3, 2022
*We have made some changes and added a few FAQs to address the questions we have seen in the past week, specifically around what this means for OneNote for Windows 10 and OneNote for Windows 10 users. In short, this update was about the Store only! No action is needed for existing OneNote 10 users, whether you are on the OneNote app or OneNote for Windows. We have also added updates to answer questions on availability of certain features.
We have recently announced many exciting features coming to the OneNote app on Windows. These include a refreshed visual interface that is in the process of rolling out to everyone, and other cool features, such as inking and dictation to help you capture notes more naturally and quickly. *We’re just wrapping up a few things on the new visual experience to get it ready for you. The ability to move all of your navigation to the left side of the app is something we are currently working on, and it is not yet available. If you don’t see these features right away, it is because we are still polishing a few things! Once they are ready, they will reach you without any actions on your part. If you want to be sure to get the updates as fast as possible, you can consider joining the Office Insider program to help us evaluate the latest experience and share your feedback with us!
The simplified single line ribbon is now available to everyone (with the exception of one-time purchase of Office products), bringing the option to have a smaller ribbon with the power of the classic ribbon. We have also improved our sharing experience; now it provides you with a single place to share your notebooks with others and manage who has access to them.
Quickly take notes anywhere with the Windows 11 2022 Update
The need to capture a quick note can come at any moment. Today, you can already launch a new Quick Note by using the shortcut Windows + Alt + N or through the OneNote icon on the system tray. Starting with the Windows 11 2022 Update, you now have another way to launch OneNote directly from your pen! If you want to take a note quickly, just click the back of your pen to launch a new Quick Note and start writing right away. You can also double click it to launch the full OneNote app.
You can also launch the OneNote app on Windows from the pen menu and read about the enhanced Pen and Ink experience in our latest Office Insider blog.
OneNote from Microsoft 365 now in the Microsoft Store
Today we’re making it easier to install the right OneNote app on any Windows device by making it available in the Microsoft Store. Simply head to the Store and search for “OneNote” to get it.
As we previously announced, we're evolving the OneNote app on Windows, and consolidating the OneNote app on Windows and OneNote for Windows 10 into a single app moving forward. This doesn’t mean we’re building another OneNote app. The OneNote app on Windows is already available today for free and will continue to receive new features and updates. If you have a new Windows 11 device, the OneNote app is already included as part of the pre-installed Office apps. You can also get it with a Microsoft 365 subscription or download it for free from OneNote.com/Download.
With this change, OneNote app becomes the default app in the Store. OneNote for Windows 10 is still available for those who rely on it, and it will continue to work and receive important updates, but it will not be getting new features. As previously announced, OneNote for Windows 10 will reach end-of-support in October 2025. We recommend you switch over to the OneNote app as soon as you’re comfortable doing so. As we get closer to the end of support date, you will see reminders to try out the OneNote app.
We want you to love OneNote!
If you have any feedback and feature suggestions, drop us a line! We want to hear them so we can continue making the product better for you. Follow us on Twitter and bookmark our blog to stay up to date on feature rollouts and other updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which OneNote app is receiving the updates that were mentioned?
Currently, there are two apps: the OneNote app on Windows that is part of Microsoft 365, and OneNote for Windows 10. All of the updates mentioned in this blog are coming to the OneNote app on Windows. OneNote for Windows 10 will not be receiving new feature updates but will continue to be supported until it reaches end of support in October 2025. - Are you creating a new OneNote app? Is the OneNote app coming to the Microsoft Store a new one?
No, we are not. We’re simply making it easier to get the OneNote app on any Windows device by making it available for download from the Microsoft Store. The app you can download from there is the same as the one that is available for free on OneNote.com/Download or as part of Microsoft 365. Note that you will need to give the Installer administrator privilege in order to install OneNote on Windows. OneNote on Windows will continue to receive improvements and new experiences in the future. - *Does this mean that OneNote for Windows 10 will stop working now? Do I need to install the OneNote app now?
OneNote for Windows 10 will continue to work and receive important updates until October 2025. You do not need to install the OneNote app right this moment if you do not feel comfortable doing so yet. We’ve heard your feedback, so we’re working to bring both the visual refresh and providing an option to have sections as navigation on the left. - I still need to rely on OneNote for Windows 10, how can I get it?
If you still need OneNote for Windows 10, you can use this download link to install it. If you already have it installed, you will continue receiving important updates for it through the Microsoft Store. - I already have the OneNote app on Windows on my computer, what will happen if I download it from the Microsoft Store?
If you already have the OneNote app on Windows on your computer, it is the same app as the one that is now available in the Store. You may notice the Store is still giving you the option to install it. This is a known issue that we are working to fix. If you choose to install it, it will upgrade your app if there are pending updates and your app may be closed during the process. Note that if you have Office apps, they will all get upgraded during this process. - How do I tell which OneNote I'm using today?
Open the OneNote app and check if you have the “File” menu. If you have this menu, then you are using the OneNote app on Windows. Otherwise, you are using OneNote for Windows 10 and you should also see it called “OneNote for Windows 10” on the title bar. OneNote for Windows 10 will reach end of support in October 2025 and will not receive new feature updates, so consider switching to the OneNote app on Windows to continue to receive new feature updates. For more details, please see: What's the difference between the OneNote versions? - I have OneNote for Windows 10 installed, should I uninstall OneNote for Windows 10?
OneNote for Windows 10 and the OneNote app on Windows are two separate apps and you can keep both on your Windows device if you want to. It is safe to uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 after your notebooks successfully show up in the OneNote app. If you want to keep both apps, you may want to change your default app by following the information here: Change the default version of OneNote on your computer. - Do I need an invitation to update to the OneNote app in the Microsoft Store?
No invitation is required. Simply head to the Microsoft Store and download OneNote for free. - Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the OneNote app on Windows or receive new features?
No, the OneNote app on Windows is free. You do not need a subscription to install it or receive future updates. - *Will this automatically upgrade me to OneNote on Windows or remove my OneNote for Windows 10?
No, they are two separate apps. Installing the OneNote app will not uninstall or change anything on OneNote for Windows 10, nor will it replace OneNote for Windows 10. If you don't want to keep both apps, then you can manually uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 after you verify all your notebooks show up in the OneNote app. - *I can’t install OneNote on Windows from the Microsoft Store, how should I proceed?
We may need more information from you to help. First, check if your current version of Office is compatible with the OneNote app in the Microsoft Store. If you don’t think this is the issue, please take a look at our common installation support troubleshooting information support article. If you still cannot resolve your issue, please create a question on answers.microsoft.com. You can also reach us on our Reddit or Twitter. - *I don’t see all the latest features on my OneNote app although I installed it from the Store, does it mean I have the wrong version? My OneNote app has the File menu, but it doesn’t look like the screenshots on the Store, did I do something wrong?
Some of the features you may have seen announced or shown on screenshots are still in progress of being rolled out to everyone so don’t worry you’ll see them light up on your OneNote app soon. Thanks for your patience!
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