According to the latest report, if you want to use OneNote on Windows, you probably already know that the company will make things complicated by providing two separate OneNote clients. Microsoft will offer two Kinds of OneNote apps – OneNote for Windows 10 (UWP-based) and a full-fledged desktop client that ships with Office.
Microsoft wanted to create a single OneNote app for Windows, but the company didn’t want to disrupt the consumer user base. Microsoft is planning to add new features to the OneNote desktop and use The Windows 11-style Fluent smooth design, mica material, and rounded UI.
As part of its efforts to consolidate multiple OneNote apps into new versions, Microsoft plans to retire and replace “OneNote for Windows 10” with an existing desktop client that will use new visuals and bring some new features.
It’s worth noting that Windows 11 no longer installs “OneNote for Windows 10” by default, but users can still download it from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft didn’t develop a third OneNote app
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft officially stated that the plan is to add the functionality of “OneNote for Windows 10” to the Win32 OneNote application. When this happens, both applications will continue to run in Windows 11 and Windows 10, which means that the migration won’t affect users, at least for now.
In a Reddit review, Microsoft’s OneNote project manager confirmed that the company is currently testing the new update internally and will soon be rolling out “along with the updated visuals.”
While the OneNote UWP will remain in place until October 2025, Microsoft is recommending the OneNote desktop client to users. This is because the OneNote UWP will stop receiving new features and the focus has begun to shift to the OneNote desktop.
When the new version is stable enough, users on the OneNote UWP will receive an in-app invitation and update to the new unified OneNote app.
As shown in the model released by Microsoft, the OneNote desktop is expected to get a visual refresh to match other Office applications on Windows 11, new navigation layout options that can be customized to user preferences, new inking features available in UWP releases, better stylus support, and more.
Microsoft previously launched the “Project Reunion” project, which aims to bridge the gap between the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and Win32.
With Project Reunion, Microsoft introduced the UWP API to Win32 and phased out some UWP applications by creating new versions based on the existing Win32 framework.
Windows Screenshots has been updated to a Windows 11-style design while retaining legacy features, making it a perfect example of Project Reunion’s efforts.