Metapad for Windows

Used Metapad for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffMay 30, 2011

This program was designed to rival Notepad, but its functionality far surpasses the Windows standard. Metapad's interface is a minor facelift to Notepad, with icons and tool tips replacing plain text prompts. Under the menus, Metapad offers numerous improvements and increased functionality such as dual fonts, configurable tabs, and the ability to save to text, HTML, or source code formats such as Java. Metapad also supports an external viewer, such as a Web browser, to display hyperlinks.

The program loads very fast and requires a bare minimum of memory to run. It could easily replace Notepad on a user's system, but making it the default Windows text editor is not a simple process: the program FAQ lists three methods, none of which are for novices. Most users will prefer to load the program through a shortcut. Metapad has been around long enough for users to create language packs, spell check, and other add-ons. This program should be added to any Windows system, and will soon become the preferred text editor for novices and advanced users alike.

What’s new in version 3.6

Version 3.6 has new high resolution app icon, UI & usability updates, a new feature that remembers folders across sessions, better defaults for general settings, UTF-8 file support.

Metapad for Windows

Used Metapad for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: May 30, 2011

Latest update: May 30, 2011

Version: 3.6

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows 98
Windows 95
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows ME

Additional Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 47,948

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.5/5

52 User Votes

Really good and very fast. Been using it for years.
star747October 18, 2013
Pros
- Hyperlinks are 'live', unlike Notepad - I love the Favorites dropdown menu with its keyboard shortcut
Cons
When I moved from XP to WINDOWS 7, I read the writeup on how to install it and found it too complicated to attempt. This was all nonesense because I finally just copied the folder from XP into WIN 7 and it just started. Those instructions are redundant.
Summary
Maybe there are more sophisticated text apps out there but I don't need more features than what metapad has.
My GO-TO Notepad
DaDreamWizardMay 28, 2011
Pros
Simplicity yet functional for MANY different tasks. To start naming all the times used, this would go on 4-ever. Handy & quick, no error, no limits, just there and dependable. Open's any file type I need to see
Cons
I couldn't have any con's. Except the fact it's 'just' a text editor. That was a sneaky joke...... Not a con in the world
Summary
If I had a day (or more) I'd name all the bits that make it so perfect. I'd never trade up metapad for anything. Truth is, one of the first things I do when doing a clean install of an OS, is to try and rid myself of that still pesky Windows notepad, and I jump to the registry, do a search for 'notepad' & I substitute "metapad". I've been doing that for many years... That approach is not recommended for everybody as the registry is still something you really do not want to trash. But I do it, first thing. There's nothing like knowing what you need and want. And FYI, I have fun in spare time trying other software. I don't do it like I used to but I can certainly say I've used all the "uptown" classy notepads out there. I even paid for one that has astounding features, yet NOTHING can take the place of the simple YET smart & well thought out notepad named METAPAD.
very ordinary
DaveKimble3December 31, 2010
Pros
it works but it isn't that smart
Cons
The settings dialogs window is too small for the layout, so many options are outside of the window and you can't tell what they are. ReplaceAll doesn't have any clever features.
Summary
I was looking for a smart editor - this isn't it.
Why aren't more people using this?
glacierlilyAugust 7, 2010
Pros
This program revolutionizes the way you can work on the computer. It is fast, simple, effective.
Cons
I do not have any.
Summary
Speed, size, ability to work with it. <3
Using for years!
TThorn07March 15, 2010
Pros
Quck, easy to use, small file. Overall great program!
Cons
No cons. I have been using this for years to edit simple texts, HTML, and PHP!
Summary
Simply the Best
DonLakeMaryFLJanuary 10, 2010
Pros
I use this as a clipboard. In options I have selected always on top. Now when I open it I can copy and paste text from a webpage or program to the notepad and move to another tab or programs with the data in plain sight.
Cons
I have found none.
Summary
I've used this for a number of years. A must have in my opinion.
there are more advanced editors
rigoletoskaterJune 24, 2009
Pros
small size
Cons
ted notepad covers metapad in all ways and offers more aditional features..
Summary
long forgotten, no longer being developed
great notepad replacement! Highly recommended.
ryune1180April 8, 2008
Pros
It got toolbars!
Cons
too many options I rarely use. I found notepad++ more useful but, too many options so I uninstalled notepad++ and kept this anyway.
Summary
No More Notepad!
wunderkatJanuary 28, 2008
Pros
just what I have been looking for. This beats the pants off of notepad!
Cons
I couldn't figure out how to open multiple notes at once. How do you do that?
Summary
Love it!
ZekemilanJanuary 8, 2008
Pros
easy to use and like the extras.
Cons
Summary

Developer’s Description

Try a Notepad replacement featuring hyperlink and intelligent Find-and-Replace support.

Metapad is a small, fast, 32-bit Notepad replacement. Not only does Metapad have almost every feature in Notepad, it contains many extra features that make it considerably more powerful than Notepad (for instance, unlimited file size, saved window placement, intelligent find and replace, external viewers, and useful keyboard shortcuts). Metapad is useful for Web site maintenance and simple programming tasks.

Version 3.51 is a bug fixing release.