Microsoft backtracks on OneNote 2016, annouces new features and extended support though 2025

Despite Microsoft investing heavily in OneNote for Windows 10, the legacy OneNote 2016 desktop app still has its fans. Microsoft is well aware of it, and that’s why the company announced this morning that the popular note-taking app will continue to be supported for years to come.

NEW! "We hear you loud and clear — you want to keep your notes your way!"????

Big news today – #OneNote 2016 Desktop is not going away, & will be improved in the future ???? Send Qs to me, @NotedByRyan & @benminnn #edtech #MIEExpert #elearning

Details: https://t.co/ENdNSeOuJZ pic.twitter.com/wXEkExvkDh

— Mike Tholfsen (@mtholfsen) November 4, 2019

First of all, Microsoft has extended mainstream support for OneNote 2016 through 2023 (and extended support through to align with Office 2019). Starting in March 2020, OneNote 2016 will also be automatically installed with Office 365 and Office. As you may recall, OneNote 2016 was removed from the Office 2019 installer last year, in favor of OneNote for Windows 10, which isn’t as feature complete as the legacy app it’s supposed to replace.

That’s all good news for OneNote 2016 fans, but Microsoft also plans to bring new features to the popular note-taking app. The first addition is dark theme support, which is now rolling out. The OneNote team will also be listening to user feedback to improve the app, and we’re looking forward to seeing what other new features will be coming to OneNote 2016.