There are many note-taking apps on Windows, but the original Sticky Notes app is always a top choice for jotting down thoughts on the go. After keeping things the same for years, the Sticky Note update in mid-2024 changed the game.
What is the new Windows Sticky Notes app?
You may have used the original Windows Sticky Notes application. This application first appeared in Windows XP Tablet Edition in 2002 and has become an ideal place to jot down notes, ideas, etc. Over the years, this application has gained many more functions. improvements, such as the ability to sync notes with a OneNote account, but have remained largely unchanged since then. However, this is one of the ultimate productivity tools on Windows.

The new, updated Sticky Notes has a better design, user interface, deeper integration with OneNote, and more features and formatting options that let users do more. However, searching for “Sticky Notes” in the Start menu will show both new and old apps. You can also access Sticky Notes on any device regardless of which version you are using.
The best new features of Windows Sticky Notes
One of the biggest complaints about the old Sticky Notes was the lack of user interface. Whenever you open it, the last note you worked on will appear, requiring three more clicks to get to the notes list.
Finally the app has a good user interface
However, the new version comes with a much better interface that opens the notes list by default. There's an option to dock this skin next to whatever app you're using.

Your latest note will appear at the top, or if you're using an app with linked notes, that specific note will appear at the top. This is a great way to quickly continue working on something you left behind without fiddling around. You can also search for a specific note – extremely useful when you have dozens of notes in the list with no way to differentiate them.
The notes themselves are more visually appealing. Some additional features make them more useful, and the whole experience now feels much faster and in line with the modern Windows 11 aesthetic compared to the old, clunkier interface.
Pin to head
Besides the bold, italic, underline and strikethrough text formatting, bulleted lists and image support that the old version had, the new Sticky Notes mainly brings quality features that help users Working with the application is easier.
First, you can now pin your Sticky Notes to your desktop and they will remain visible regardless of the active window. You can use Microsoft PowerToys or other third-party tools to pin your notes, but this feature should have come out much sooner.

With the new version, you just need to click the pin icon on the top bar of the note. Notes will now remain visible and exactly where you left them on your screen, no matter what you're doing on your PC.
Better screenshot handling
While the old version let you paste images into notes, the new versions handle images better. There is a button Screenshots dedicated in the new Sticky Notes user interface allows you to take a screenshot of any program in use and copy it to a new note. This will also add the program or website as a source to the note.
You also have the option of opening an image from within a note into a larger window, copying it, or copying text inside an image to quickly extract any data without having to sit down and enter manually.
Notes now include the data source
Another great feature is the new note that includes your data source. For example, if you create a note while the browser is open, the note will now consider the browser as its source.

It would be much more useful if it contained an actual link to the source of the information written in the note, but it's still useful sometimes, especially when sifting through notes. Additionally, if you've captured a note or image from a web page, you can click the source to quickly open it – provided the app captured the correct source.
Related notes automatically come to the top
Notes related to certain programs automatically go to the top of the notes list when you open them while the program is running in the background. If you create notes while your browser or Microsoft Office program is open in the background, the notes are automatically the first to appear. This is a great way to ensure you can find relevant information quickly.
For example, for recurring meetings, you can take notes on the same page and previous notes will automatically come to the top when you open the new Sticky Notes app the next time you meet.
Another useful situation is when you are learning something from YouTube or a website and use the app to take notes. When returning to the same web page, related notes will automatically appear at the top of the page.
Which version should I use?
You should use a newer version of Sticky Note. The old version is quite similar in terms of features and has been in use for many years. However, the ability to search notes, automatic source tagging, better image handling, and an overall nicer design are great features you won't find in the old app.
Both versions of the application are available on Windows under the same name, except that newer versions are labeled “(new)” to help users quickly identify the correct version. While you may not be giving up much functionality by using the old version, the new version is a much better choice overall, as it gives you important features and options that make it your best choice. one of the best native Windows features. However, there are also third-party note-taking options worth considering.