Technology Exclusive: Microsoft is adding image support to Notepad on Windows 11

[Parkinsond]

Content source

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/02/19/exclusive-microsoft-is-adding-image-support-to-notepad-on-windows-11/

Windows Latest has learned that Microsoft is adding image support to Notepad on Windows 11, and sources told us that the feature has “minimal impact” on performance. Microsoft sources also told us that the feature is part of Notepad’s existing Markdown support, and you’ll be able to disable it in Settings along with other features.

Notepad is no longer the simple text editor it once was, at least out of the box. Microsoft has been upgrading it with more features to make up for the loss of WordPad.

Unlike Notepad, WordPad has always supported images and other markdown features. In fact, in many ways, WordPad felt like a less-powerful version of MS Word, while Notepad remained a simple text editor.

Exclusive: Microsoft is adding image support to Notepad on Windows 11

Windows Latest has learned that Microsoft is adding image support to Notepad on Windows 11, rolling out soon.

www.windowslatest.com

 

[Miravi]

Wonderful. Notepad is finally growing into an oversized monster like Microsoft itself.

Now they should vibecode a new real-time cloud collaborative editing feature that introduces more critical security vulnerabilities.

 

[Brahman]

Now I have to investigate my options on how to keep the old notepad without getting auto-updated and how to safely remove the new notepad. If it ain't broken, why fix it, MS?

 

[Parkinsond]

Now I have to investigate my options on how to keep the old notepad without getting auto-updated and how to safely remove the new notepad. If it ain't broken, why fix it, MS?

I have only the legacy Notepad on LTSC version; the Notepad in the way it was intended to.

 

[Sorrento]

I use the old Classic Notepad without the new bells & whistles which IMO in becoming ridiculous, I haven't removed the old one as it can cause issues i just don't use it, i do wonder at times if MS has ever visited the planet Earth?

 

[Parkinsond]

I use the old Classic Notepad without the new bells & whistles which IMO in becoming ridiculous, I haven't removed the old one as it can cause issues i just don't use it, i do wonder at times if MS has ever visited the planet Earth?

MS has to bring back WordPad, that simple.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Although it will be possible to disable these new features in the settings, the use of Markdown and the insertion of external content such as images and links potentially exposes users to attack vectors linked to remote paths or malicious content.

It is obviously clear that increasing the attack surface leads to new vulnerabilities.
This is the first, and if things continue this way, it will not be the last:

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-20841

Personally, I have Notepad.exe in my Anti-Exploit list with 14 overrides.

 

[Parkinsond]

Personally, I have Notepad.exe in my Anti-Exploit list with 14 overrides.

We need a thread about MD exploit protection settings in details; there is a large number of, what can most do is unclear, and which one is suitable for which app.
In addition, some of them are already included in ASR rules.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

We need a thread about MD exploit protection settings in details; there is a large number of, what can most do is unclear, and which one is suitable for which app.
In addition, some of them are already included in ASR rules.

We need a thread about MD exploit protection settings in details; there is a large number of, what can most do is unclear, and which one is suitable for which app.
In addition, some of them are already included in ASR rules.

I made you a video:

Download Notepad Exploit.mp4 | LimeWire

Can you do it like this?

P.S.

For other non-Microsoft software,removes CIG.
I don't think you have Stack Protection applied to your hardware like I do, otherwise you can also select that mitigation.

 

[Parkinsond]

I made you a video:

Download Notepad Exploit.mp4 | LimeWire

Can you do it like this?

Thank you; I will watch it today; setting exploit protection is not an easy task, and may break things if not properly done.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Thank you; I will watch it today; setting exploit protection is not an easy task, and may break things if not properly done.

In fact, as you can see, I have also included a PS.

 

[Parkinsond]

In fact, as you can see, I have also included a PS.

Can I apply the same settings in video to all vulnerable apps, or it has to be tailored per app?

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Can I apply the same settings in video to all vulnerable apps, or it has to be tailored per app?

For other non-Microsoft software,removes CIG.

P.S.
In the video, you can easily recognize it as the only one with “Microsoft” written on it.