Windows 11 to get a new OneNote app

Microsoft will merge the two OneNote apps into a single experience, and it'll update the interface with new visuals. The changes are coming in 2022.

OneNote for Windows 11
OneNote for Windows 11 (source: Microsoft)
  • Microsoft will merge the OneNote app into one experience.
  • The new app will also be updated with new visuals.
  • The new version will be available for Windows 11 and Windows 10 in 2022.

Microsoft plans to combine the two OneNote apps available for Windows users into one experience for PCs. Up until now, there have been two apps, the “OneNote for Windows 10” Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app and the desktop version of OneNote for Office, which made it confusing for users which one to choose to take notes. However, the company has now announced that it is already working to streamline the offering with a single application for Windows 11 (and Windows 10) sometime in 2022.

According to the company, the development team is now merging the UWP version into the Win32 client. Furthermore, the team is also planning to refresh the interface of the OneNote client with new visuals using the WinUI technology to match the design language that Microsoft is pushing on Windows 11 and the next version of Office. However, the new client will continue to have the familiar look and features as the current version.

Although the next version of OneNote (which will continue to be free) is being prepared for Windows 11, the client will also be available for Windows 10 with the interface, some of which include a new ribbon menu, iconography, rounded corners, and updated frame.

The company has not shared a specific release date, but it said that the apps will “get a series of updates over the next 12 months,” indicating that the new client won’t be ready until the second half of 2022. In the meantime, the two apps will continue to be available without changes.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].