The Windows Sticky Notes app has become a favorite among Windows 11 users due to its simplicity, ease of access, and no-cost usage. It resembles the traditional sticky notes found in offices. The recently enhanced Sticky Notes app offers several new features that enhance user experience. Below are some of the notable features available in the updated Windows Sticky Notes app.

Table of Contents

• 1. Toggle Sticky Notes Visibility on the Taskbar
• 2. Expand or Minimize Sticky Notes by Double-Clicking the Title Bar
• 3. Improved Integration with OneNote
• 4. New Launch Shortcut
• 5. More Sticky Notes Themes
• 6. Direct Screenshot Capture in Notes
• 7. Automatic Source Reminder
• 8. One-Touch Copy and Paste of Notes
• 9. Prioritize Important Notes
• 10. Side-by-Side Viewing Mode for Sticky Notes

1. Toggle Sticky Notes Visibility on the Taskbar

Previously, one of the drawbacks of the older Sticky Notes app was the constant visibility of notes while working on other apps, particularly web browsers.

In the past, the only way to manage this was by closing and reopening the app. Now, you can effortlessly toggle the visibility of Sticky Notes using the taskbar. The app no longer needs to be pinned, as it automatically appears on the taskbar.

To manage your notes, right-click on the taskbar and select Show/Hide all notes to either hide or show all your Sticky Notes. You can also create a new note directly from the taskbar, which is quite convenient.

With the updated Sticky Notes app, a new keyboard shortcut feature has been introduced, which we'll discuss later. However, I find the ability to toggle notes from the taskbar in the older version very useful.

2. Expand or Minimize Sticky Notes by Double-Clicking the Title Bar

Instead of manually adjusting the size of the Sticky Notes window, there's now a simpler method. Double-click the title bar of any note to expand it to full screen. To minimize it, move your cursor to the top and double-click the title bar once more.

This feature is particularly useful when managing multiple Sticky Notes on your screen, helping to differentiate between them. If you're hesitant to switch from the old to the new Sticky Notes, this feature alone might convince you to stay with the old version.

Additionally, you can view multiple notes side by side, filling the entire screen, directly from the taskbar. If the notes are related, switching between them is straightforward. A navigation pane to scroll through the notes would further enhance this functionality.

3. Improved Integration with OneNote

While the free Windows Sticky Notes app is beneficial, many Microsoft users favor OneNote for its extensive capabilities. The latest Sticky Notes app now seamlessly integrates with OneNote, allowing users to utilize both tools together. This integration essentially revamps the old app into a new form.

Previously, syncing Sticky Notes with OneNote was possible, but the new integration is much more user-friendly. Upon installing OneNote, the new Sticky Notes app will appear at the top of the interface, displaying all your existing notes, including those with images and other data.

You can browse through each Sticky Note within OneNote and double-click any note to open it in a separate window for a closer look. No need to install a new version of Sticky Notes; these features are now part of OneNote.

4. New Launch Shortcut

Previously, launching the Microsoft Sticky Notes app required using the search menu or pinning it to the taskbar. Now, with the OneNote integration, a dedicated keyboard shortcut, Win Alt s, allows you to quickly access the app with all its features.

Upon opening the shortcut window, you can view and search through your Sticky Notes. If you encounter any issues while navigating, a detailed guide is available to help resolve them.

To close the Sticky Notes window, there's now a dedicated close button at the top, a feature that seems long overdue.

5. More Sticky Notes Themes

The updated Windows Sticky Notes app now includes more themes for customization. Access these through the 'Settings' icon in the three-dot menu, where you can choose from colorful, dark gray, black, white, or system settings. Dark themes are particularly beneficial for those who prefer less screen brightness, as they are easier on the eyes and more energy-efficient.

Any theme change you make will automatically apply to all your sticky notes. You can also change the color of individual notes by selecting More options from the three-dot menu.

6. Direct Screenshot Capture in Notes

While it was always possible to add screenshots to your sticky notes, you previously needed another tool like the Snipping Tool, which was cumbersome for browsing.

Now, you can capture screenshots directly within the Sticky Notes app, even from within browser windows or other applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or games. Use the launch shortcut to insert the Sticky Note and save the screenshot, such as a webpage.

One of the advantages of using Sticky Notes with a browser is the ability to add comments to any webpage, which you might otherwise forget. Saving these comments next to the screenshot helps you recall them later when reviewing your notes.

7. Automatic Source Reminder

When navigating multiple web pages or app windows, it's easy to forget why you visited a particular page or window. The new Sticky Notes app solves this by showing you the exact reason you revisited a page or window.

For instance, if you visit a job search site with a reminder to apply by a specific date, the note will appear when you revisit the site. While notes could always be viewed separately, integrating them with your daily browsing enhances the experience.

My only concern is that the effectiveness of this feature depends on how well the app captures the source. There can be delays, and not all web pages or app windows will display a reminder, even if you've taken a note correctly.

8. One-Touch Copy and Paste of Notes

Previously, copying and pasting a note was cumbersome, requiring you to select all the text or scroll through a detailed note. The new Sticky Notes app simplifies this process. Just go to the three-dot menu and select Copy to copy an entire note, which you can then paste into another note.

This feature is particularly useful when working with Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as it effortlessly copies the entire text, including images and screenshots. This increases productivity by allowing you to transfer your browsing activities to your Office apps seamlessly.

9. Prioritize Important Notes

Finding a specific note among many used to be a challenge with the old Sticky Notes app. The new version is designed to show relevant notes for each app, browser window, or web page at the appropriate time.

This improvement is due to a smarter algorithm that saves the source with each note. When you revisit a browser page or app window, you'll see the relevant notes first, followed by other notes in descending order, helping you focus on what's important.

My only wish is that the Windows Sticky Notes app could also sort notes by the latest date, a feature that would be very helpful.

10. Side-by-Side Viewing Mode for Sticky Notes

While I'm not a huge fan of this feature, it's popular among many users. In the OneNote window, you can use the Dock to Desktop feature from the Sticky Notes three-dot menu to view all your sticky notes side by side on the right side of every browser window.

This feature is useful for browsing multiple notes, popping them out, and adding screenshots as needed. However, it does take up significant screen space. Fortunately, you can undock it from the desktop when you're finished.

Windows Sticky Notes offer numerous ways to enhance productivity and organization in your work and computing activities. If you're looking for alternatives to Evernote, consider tools like Notion, which integrates with Slack, Trello, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, and more. For a smooth transition from Evernote to Notion, follow these practical tips.

All images and screenshots by Sayak Boral.

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