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No matter where you live, work, or roam, there’s a version of Microsoft OneNote to fit your needs. Whether you’re on a PC, a Mac, in a browser, or on a mobile device, each version of OneNote lets you reliably access your cloud-connected notebooks to capture your thoughts and ideas. You can recall important information from anywhere, and easily share and collaborate with others.

While all supported versions of OneNote are free to download and use, certain premium features can be unlocked with an optional Microsoft Office 2019 or Microsoft 365 subscription.

Windows users can choose between two available versions:

  • OneNote (formerly called “OneNote 2016”), the free desktop app that runs on all supported versions of Microsoft Windows and is part of Office 2019 and Microsoft 365.

  • OneNote for Windows 10, the OneNote app that is pre-installed on all editions of Windows 10.

Note: On your Windows PC, you can use whichever version of OneNote—or use both Windows versions side by side until you select a version. We recommend that you use OneNote because OneNote for Windows10 reaches end-of-support in October 2025. When you’re ready, you can change the default version of OneNote, so that shared notebooks will always open in your preferred version.

OneNote

The OneNote desktop app on Windows is part of Office 2019 and Microsoft 365, but it can also be downloaded as a standalone app and used independently on any PC. It runs on any currently supported version of Windows—including all editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Over the past few years, this app was called “OneNote 2016” (and “OneNote 2013” in earlier years). It’s now simply called “OneNote”.

The OneNote desktop app features a full Office ribbon interface that can be permanently shown, or hidden, until needed. By default, navigation between different notebook is displayed on the left side of the screen and the list of page tabs is shown immediately to the right of the section tabs.

OneNote on Windows with refreshed experience

This is the only version of OneNote that supports local notebook storage on your PC’s hard drive, in addition to cloud storage. It’s also the version of OneNote that has the most customization options (in the app, click File > Options).

The OneNote desktop app is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. If you’re using a 64-bit edition of Windows and a 64-bit version of Office 2019 or  Microsoft 365, the 64-bit version of OneNote is installed automatically, otherwise you’ll get the 32-bit version. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions about OneNote in Office 2019 and Microsoft 365.

Where to get it

As of March 2020, when you install Office 2019 or Microsoft 365, the OneNote desktop app is installed alongside the Word, PowerPoint, and Excel desktop apps. 

How to update it

Keeping OneNote and your other apps up to date not only ensures that you’ll get access to the newest features, but you’ll also benefit from the latest security updates.

  1. In the desktop version of OneNote, click File > Account.

  2. Next to Office Updates, click the Update Options button.

  3. On the menu that appears, click Update Now.

Note: If you’re using OneNote at your work or school, your administrator may control which updates you can install, and when.

Get started with OneNote desktop

OneNote for Windows 10

The OneNote for Windows 10 app is already pre-installed and ready to use on all editions of Windows 10. It is set to reach end-of-support in Oct 2025.

OneNote for Windows 10 features a smaller, single-line ribbon interface near the top of the screen that can be permanently shown or hidden until needed. When the Navigation pane is revealed, it displays colorful notebook section tabs vertically on the left side of the screen. The list of page tabs is shown immediately to the right of the section tabs.

Screenshot of OneNote for Windows 10

When you sign into OneNote for Windows 10 with a compatible Office 2019 or Microsoft 365 subscription, you’ll enjoy additional premium features, including Ink Replay, Researcher, and Math Assistant. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions about OneNote in Office 2019 and Microsoft 365.

Where to get it

  • If you’re on Windows 10, check to see if OneNote is already pre-installed on your PC. Click the Windows Start button in the lower left corner, type the word onenote on your keyboard, and then look for “OneNote for Windows 10” in the search results list.

  • If OneNote for Windows 10 is missing from your Windows 10 PC for any reason, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store, but we recommend that you use the OneNote app because OneNote for Windows 10 reaches end-of-support in October 2025. 

How to update it

Keeping OneNote and your other apps up to date not only ensures that you’ll get access to the newest features, but you’ll also benefit from the latest security updates.

  1. In Windows 10, click the Start button, type the word store on your keyboard, and then click Microsoft Store in the search results list.

  2. In the Microsoft Store app, click the See more button ( ) in the upper right corner, and then click Downloads and updates.

  3. In the Downloads and updates window, click Get updates in the upper right corner.

Windows will install any pending updates that are available for OneNote for Windows 10 and other apps.

Tip: To check if Windows 10 app updates are automatically installed, open the Microsoft Store app, click the See more button ( ), and then click Settings. On the Settings screen, under App updates, make sure that the Update apps automatically option is set to On.

Note: If you’re using OneNote at your work or school, your administrator may control which updates you can install, and when. Your administrator may also control whether or not your apps are automatically updated.

Get started with OneNote for Windows 10

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